Lewis Hamilton expects wide-open Formula 1 race at Singapore

“Our understanding is that the vehicle will potentially help this weekend but you never really know where you’ll be able to place the auto so if we can get the auto in a place that’s comfortable, a bit like we were in the last two races, then I think we will definitely be strong in the fight”. “Whatever happens along the way happens”.

“Normally your body manages to keep going through the race, but when you get the chequered flag, everything switches off”.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his vehicle in the pit lane during the second practice session at the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on the Marina Bay City Circuit Singapore, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017.

“This track is not one of our strongest circuits, and maybe even one of the most hard ones”, Bottas said.

Unlike the flat-out blasts of Italy’s Monza, which were tailor-made for Mercedes, the tight twists of the Singapore track, which has the most corners of any circuit on the calendar, should play to Ferrari’s strengths.

Vettel is a four-time victor at the Singapore night race, which started in 2008 and will now run until at least 2021 after organisers announced a four-year contract extension.

Whilst Ferrari are acknowledged as the favourites to dominate in Singapore, the Red Bull engine is equally-suited for battle in round 13.

There are six races remaining after Singapore, a circuit which has caused problems for Mercedes before.

With such onus being put on the red team to walk the weekend, there is the expectation for Vettel to regain the lead of the standings – if he is to be the victor for Ferrari. “We have worked as hard we can to understand the vehicle and we come here with full attack”.

A one-year deal could leave Bottas vulnerable at the end of next season, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo among the drivers who will become available. Vettel has excelled throughout 2017 and, aside from the occasional blip, his performances have been back to the level we saw consistently when he was at Red Bull.

Vettel was the only driver to finish without a fast lap time on the ultrasoft tyres, although the German was already 0.4s adrift of Ricciardo’s pace before encountering traffic in the final sector of what would have been his best lap.

Red Bull, whose long-term future in Formula 1 has been cast in doubt after it emerged that Renault are set to pull the plug on their engine contract beyond next season, are also expected to be contenders here, too. Verstappen, Alonso and Carlos Sainz Jr, who has been confirmed as a Renault driver for 2018, also did the same. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, though, the four-time champion was refusing to buy into the hype. I definitely want to be fighting for the title as long as there is possibilities for that. “At the same time I want to give time to my team”.

“It’s generally been close everywhere we go, even when it’s “this one will suit Mercedes”, or “this one will suit Ferrari”.