Hamilton shows true colour after ‘lost’ at Singapore GP as Norris blows title rival Verstappen away

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc cemented their statuses as favourites for Singapore Grand Prix pole position as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were some way off the pace

Lewis Hamilton admitted Mercedes are “lost” as Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc left everyone trailing in their wake in Singapore Grand Prix practice.

They ended the day six-tenths of a second or more ahead of everyone else to cement themselves as clear favourites for pole. But the day was more of a struggle for Hamilton and Max Verstappen, both of whom were a whole second off the pace. And the seven-time F1 champion was glum as he admitted his Mercedes was “very difficult” to drive.

He said: “It was a very challenging day – we tried everything set-up wise and nothing seems to work. You give it everything and then you find out you’re a second off. Ultimately, we’re a little bit lost and not really sure where to pick it up.”

Qualifying has been Hamilton’s Achilles heel this year and expects more Saturday struggles, adding: “At the moment, we won’t be going into Q3.” Team-mate George Russell was marginally quicker but still well off the pace set by Norris, and buried his nose in the wall in a crash late on.

The damage done was superficial, but that didn’t improve Russell’s mood. He said: “The car is not feeling as well connected as it was 12 months ago and in recent races, so we need to get to the bottom of it. There are a lot of surprises out there… and a big gap to the McLarens and the Ferraris.”

Neither of them struggled as much as Verstappen, though, who was stranded down in 15th place. Had he not been punished earlier in the day for swearing in a press conference, he might have had something stronger to say about how his Friday went.

The Dutchman said he had “no grip” in the low speed corners and stands to see his championship lead cut significantly if he cannot qualify at least somewhere near Norris.

Lando Norris was smiling after going much faster than everyone except Charles Leclerc (
Image:
F1 TV)
Leclerc is the only one who looks likely to stop the Briton who couldn’t contain his grin after learning how big the gap to everyone else was. Norris said: “The pace is good, I’m feeling good, it was a nice lap. We’re doing what we expected, I guess, to be up at the front with Ferrari.

“It was a very nice lap and Charles is close behind. I was hoping to have a much bigger gap than I had, which means they are quick, which means Ferrari are very, very fast. But things are going well so far. The car just felt good straight away. We’re always good at that, one of our strengths is just arriving and performing well. But then we tend not to progress as much as some of the other teams.

“It’s going to be close, but we’re in a decent position. There’s not a lot we can change, just perfect a little bit and iron out a couple of little things. Charles is very good at street circuits… If he wasn’t happy with his lap, then I’m quite worried for tomorrow! But we’re in a good place and, if we can keep that up, I’ll be happy.”