Speaking on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s F1 Singapore GP, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton says the team will bring a “better approach” following disappointment in Baku.
Ferrari suffered a disappointing weekend in Azerbaijan despite strong showings throughout practice. The Italian marque showed competitive pace throughout Friday, even topping the FP2 session. The weekend went awry for the team in Qualifying, however, with Hamilton eliminated in Q2 as Leclerc lined up P10.
Hamilton focuses on positives ahead of Singapore GP
Despite this, Hamilton took the positives from the weekend saying he was “much happier in the car.” Now heading into this weekend’s Singapore GP, the seven-time champion reflected on the disappointing Baku weekend. Speaking to the media, Hamilton claims the team have learned from their Saturday misstep, and will have a better approach.
“Every weekend it’s difficult to say,” Hamilton replied when asked about Ferrari’s potential in Singapore. “This is the first time driving a Ferrari around Singapore, but the car felt pretty great starting the last Grand Prix, and we just didn’t carry that through the weekend.
“But as I said, there’s been learnings as to why that was, and so I think we’ll have a better approach this weekend. Obviously last week I’ve not had as much time as I’d like with the team, but I know they’ve been working very hard back at the factory, and we’ve caught up over the last couple of days, so I’m feeling optimistic of getting in.”
He continued to highlight the team’s focus on qualifying due to the difficult overtaking conditions at the Singapore GP. While he seemed cautiously optimistic of the team’s chances, he did note stiff competition from other cars around them.
“I have no clue how quick the others are going to be,” he admitted. “They’re obviously going to be fast, the Red Bulls very quick, as is the McLarens and Mercedes also. So we’ve got a lot of work to do. I think this weekend qualifying is key, so that will be the focus.”
“Everything fine” at Ferrari after Baku debacle
Another key talking point from the Azerbaijan GP was Ferrari’s bungled team orders. In the latter stages of the Grand Prix, Hamilton showed stronger pace than teammate Leclerc. This led Ferrari to allow him to pace his teammate in order to attack Norris and the pack ahead.
After failing to pass Norris due to a DRS train led by Liam Lawson, the team instructed Hamilton to swap back with Leclerc at the end of the Grand Prix. While the Ferrari man did slow to allow his teammate to re-pass, he crossed the finish line ahead of Leclerc. When asked about the mishap, Hamilton simply stated it would not happen going forward.
“Everything’s fine,” he replied. “Charles has been great. We work on communication to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It won’t happen again.”
Hamilton critical of new cooling vest
With the news breaking earlier today that officials declared this weekend’s Singapore GP as F1’s first heat hazard, the media also quizzed Hamilton on the ramifications of this. With temperatures forecast to reach and exceed the 31ºC mark, the FIA deemed a heat hazard necessary.
The high temperature and infamous humidity of Singapore led to the introduction of the regulation. In the wake of George Russell suffering mild heat stroke last season, teams must now choose to either utilise cooling vests or add extra ballast to the car. When asked about potentially using the cooling vest, Hamilton admits he has yet to try it.
“I’ve never used it, but I’ll try it,” Hamilton told the media. “It’s quite uncomfortable. It itches a lot. So I’m not sure I want to drive with an itchy top on.”
