With the Formula One season taking its turns and twists, Singapore formed a part of it as Brit and Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton claimed pole by out-qualifying his team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg on Saturday.
With the Formula One season taking its turns and twists, Singapore formed a part of it as Brit and Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton claimed pole by out-qualifying his team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg on Saturday. Thus, with the main race day on Sunday, Hamilton is in driver’s seat going into the race as well as Championship title.
Lewis Hamilton fought his way to a sixth pole of the season with a time of 1 minute 45.681 seconds and it could prove a decisive one amidst a Marina Bay circuit which will provide few passing opportunities.
Australia-born Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo, who is the only real threat posing to the Mercedes drivers for the Formula One championship, qualified third; less than two tenths of a second off Hamilton. Former world champion Sebastian Vettel came in fourth whereas Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso will start from fifth on the grid and Williams’ driver Felipe Massa from sixth.
It has been a disappointing season for the Ferrari drivers which has seen their chairman Luca Di Montezemolo step down as long-time chairman of the Formula 1 team. This comes after the famous F1 team underperforming in this season. Kimi Raikkonen who has yet hit the gear with the Ferrari team, had engine trouble on the final lap and had to park the car on the circuit. Even though the troubles, Kimi finished ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Williams. Astonishingly, the top eight cars were separated by just half a second.
After the qualification Hamilton spoke about his pole fight with the press. He said, “That was one of the most exciting qualifying sessions I have had for a long time, where there are a lot of people in the mix and you have to be spot on. It will be a good race to watch for the fans tomorrow, there will be a lot going on.”
On the other hand, Nico was a bit flummoxed with the finish. His reaction on the radio was not enthusiastic as he yelled ‘Damn it’. He told the reporters later on, “Seven-thousandths, when I think back to the lap, is nothing. A bit more here or there and I could have done it. Lewis did a good job to get pole, so fair play. There is a long race ahead and second is fine.”
More frustration for the F1 drivers this timeout is the ban on radio-team calls by the FIA. That could affect the team strategies as well as flirt with podium finishes as well. But with the luck on Hamilton’s side, Singapore GP could be the decider in the long and wary F1 season.
