2018 Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay, 14-16 September

[siskue2005]

Mercedes were 4.1 seconds faster than they were last year.

Ferrari improved 2.8.

Also noticed the gap between ham and bot last year was 0.684. This year it was 0.687

yes indeed the Merc has found something on the street circuit, which they never did in previous years

[GrandAxe]

Mercedes were 4.1 seconds faster than they were last year.

Ferrari improved 2.8.

Also noticed the gap between ham and bot last year was 0.684. This year it was 0.687

yes indeed the Merc has found something on the street circuit, which they never did in previous years

Maybe they've found a legal version of their FRIC suspension. Their traction at Monza was telling too.

[Phillyred]

Mercedes were 4.1 seconds faster than they were last year.

Ferrari improved 2.8.

Also noticed the gap between ham and bot last year was 0.684. This year it was 0.687

yes indeed the Merc has found something on the street circuit, which they never did in previous years

Maybe they've found a legal version of their FRIC suspension. Their traction at Monza was telling too.

Hmmm, unless they found it between FP3 and qualy..

[apexcontrol]

Tomorrow, the reality is that Hamilton doesn't need to win. He can happily come second to Verstappen or even Vettel. Vettel needs the win, or at least to be ahead of someone ahead of Hamilton. That means Hamilton can afford to let Max through in turn 1 and block Vettel, heck, he could even go P3 and still be reasonably happy. Indeed, P3 with Vettel P2 wouldn't be the worst outcome - only 3 points lost rather than 7 if he comes P2 to Vettel's P1.

So Hamilton can play the long game a bit. I could see Max wanging one up the inside, Vettel trying to follow. All three out, Kimi or Bottas wins. Again, Hamilton wouldn't be too upset by that outcome.

But the reality is max does not care about lewis. He does not give anything about what happens to him. Lewis is in de crosshair of verstappen. And if he stays there there will be a dnf for him.

No way verstappen will alow hami a win, will not happen. Its dnf or second for hami. Redbull is strong enough on racepace hami will not escape his faith

There will be no long game. There will straight up attack first round of the race when the tires are still warming up,
And no drs...you can bet on that

[MtthsMlw]

Tomorrow, the reality is that Hamilton doesn't need to win. He can happily come second to Verstappen or even Vettel. Vettel needs the win, or at least to be ahead of someone ahead of Hamilton. That means Hamilton can afford to let Max through in turn 1 and block Vettel, heck, he could even go P3 and still be reasonably happy. Indeed, P3 with Vettel P2 wouldn't be the worst outcome - only 3 points lost rather than 7 if he comes P2 to Vettel's P1.

So Hamilton can play the long game a bit. I could see Max wanging one up the inside, Vettel trying to follow. All three out, Kimi or Bottas wins. Again, Hamilton wouldn't be too upset by that outcome.

But the reality is max does not care about lewis. He does not give anything about what happens to him. Lewis is in de crosshair of verstappen. And if he stays there there will be a dnf for him.

No way verstappen will alow hami a win, will not happen. Its dnf or second for hami. Redbull is strong enough on racepace hami will not escape his faith

I think Max will have will have more trouble keeping Vettel behind him than overtaking 'Hami'.

[Spoutnik]

The distance to turn one is very very short (only Monaco is shorter I think) ? I think in the past nobody lost the pole (apart form last season)

[TwanV]

I would be surprised if Mercedes can keep up tomorrow, their practice pace was not very commanding. And apex control this is not carmageddon, whatever done people say ver is not a psychopath.

[Sierra117]

I'm still in disbelief we went from 1.40s to 1.36. In the span of a couple of hours or so. Insane.

[nevill3]

I am sure someone is wispering into Max's ear....
To finish first, first you must finish......
All this talk of Mad Max on the first corner intimidating Hamilton and possibly coming together. The drivers know that they could equaly come of worst just like Vettel did at the last race.

I twill be tense but if Red Bull truly believe they have the faster race pace they will go for either the undercut or go long and blitz a few laps as soon as Hamilton pits. Add into this Vettel will be trying his hardest to pass Max too so I for one cannot wait for tomorrow it will be EPIC, just like any true F1 fan wants and has wished for. Three cars with differing strengths vying for the lead

Well done Hamilton, I think you have truly answered any of the nay sayers with todays performance and are one of the greatest talents the sport has ever seen.

[Spoutnik]

Can't see something else than a two stoppers even with a safety car... I bet Bottas/Kimi will go for it tho

[Restomaniac]

I would be surprised if Mercedes can keep up tomorrow, their practice pace was not very commanding. And apex control this is not carmageddon, whatever done people say ver is not a psychopath.

Their race pace was very similar to Ferrari’s. Ferrari have again got no clue about the Softs however so they have no option but to go for a 2 stopper.

[Phil]

Masterclass from Hamilton. This was one of the laps that was just beyond belief - and the reactions post race pretty much says as much; No one thought they/he would snatch pole, not with such a time. Epic.

Speaking of which, so was Max's lap. Wow, he was close. Much closer than I thought possible.

However, for the race; i think there might be a bit of a lottery. The HS will not last long and Alonso will surely be on either the US or the S tire. This will make it really interesting. If Alonso starts on the S (the slowest) for the longest possible stint, the front runners of the top 10 might have a good time, given they might be able to drive out a pit-stop before they stop. Either way, it looks like they might end up in traffic, so the best shot at winning this might be to stay out as long as possible on the HS as possible. Perhaps a safety car might turn the grid upside down.

As much as I would love Hamilton to win this, I personally think anything can happen tomorrow and a safety car in the wrong time might just turn out a lottery and unexpected winner. Track position is key. Perhaps we will see some over ambitious overtakes thanks to the longer DRS zone and the bigger tire performance differentials between HS, US and S, but it might just lead to more mistakes, more crashes, more safety cars...

Really hyped up for the race tomorrow!

[atanatizante]

Masterclass from Hamilton. This was one of the laps that was just beyond belief - and the reactions post race pretty much says as much; No one thought they/he would snatch pole, not with such a time. Epic.

Speaking of which, so was Max's lap. Wow, he was close. Much closer than I thought possible.

However, for the race; i think there might be a bit of a lottery. The HS will not last long and Alonso will surely be on either the US or the S tire. This will make it really interesting. If Alonso starts on the S (the slowest) for the longest possible stint, the front runners of the top 10 might have a good time, given they might be able to drive out a pit-stop before they stop. Either way, it looks like they might end up in traffic, so the best shot at winning this might be to stay out as long as possible on the HS as possible. Perhaps a safety car might turn the grid upside down.

As much as I would love Hamilton to win this, I personally think anything can happen tomorrow and a safety car in the wrong time might just turn out a lottery and unexpected winner. Track position is key. Perhaps we will see some over ambitious overtakes thanks to the longer DRS zone and the bigger tire performance differentials between HS, US and S, but it might just lead to more mistakes, more crashes, more safety cars...

Really hyped up for the race tomorrow!

What is really scary regarding his pole is the fact that he was somehow disappointed or at least thought it could be better on the second attempt ...

Now about the race, firstly he should have to nurse the HS tyre until lap 20 or so in order to have a one-stop HS-S race. Or maybe less bearing in mind that Bottas did some 54 laps on softs at Hungary ...

[nevill3]

I really do not understand all the references to how many laps a particular tyre did at a previous race. Every tracks unique characteristics surely means that xx amount of laps at one circuit doesn't mean the same lap count can be achieved here. Pirelli have suggested a conservative guide to the maximum number of laps per compound here so I would be more inclined to take on board their advice.

[Edax]

Masterclass from Hamilton. This was one of the laps that was just beyond belief - and the reactions post race pretty much says as much; No one thought they/he would snatch pole, not with such a time. Epic.

Speaking of which, so was Max's lap. Wow, he was close. Much closer than I thought possible.
A
However, for the race; i think there might be a bit of a lottery. The HS will not last long and Alonso will surely be on either the US or the S tire. This will make it really interesting. If Alonso starts on the S (the slowest) for the longest possible stint, the front runners of the top 10 might have a good time, given they might be able to drive out a pit-stop before they stop. Either way, it looks like they might end up in traffic, so the best shot at winning this might be to stay out as long as possible on the HS as possible. Perhaps a safety car might turn the grid upside down.

As much as I would love Hamilton to win this, I personally think anything can happen tomorrow and a safety car in the wrong time might just turn out a lottery and unexpected winner. Track position is key. Perhaps we will see some over ambitious overtakes thanks to the longer DRS zone and the bigger tire performance differentials between HS, US and S, but it might just lead to more mistakes, more crashes, more safety cars...

Really hyped up for the race tomorrow!

Couldn’t agree more.

Epic drive from Hamilton and Verstappen. The race might be a different story, though. Tire management, timing and luck play a big role here. The race is still for anyone to take. But this qualifying was a real gem, worthy to remember on its own.

But for me a couple of racers fell through.
+ Vandoorne sadly show again that he has no business in F1.
+ Hartley unfortunately the same.
+ With all his talk about 1st driver/ WDC aspirations, Ricciado cannot afford have his ass kicked 9 out of 10 times by his teammate in Q and certainly not by this margin. This gap is too big, and I think he will have a hard time dealing with Hulkenberg if he continues on this form.
+ Ocon could have done himself a big favor towards a F1 seat by beating Perez. Getting beaten by 0.4 does not help there.