SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton has a record 104 Formula One pole positions but qualifying third in Singapore on Saturday was still a cause for celebration.
The Mercedes driver has struggled with his Saturday form and Singapore, his 350th grand prix, marked only the fifth time the sport’s most successful driver has out-qualified team mate George Russell in 18 races.
“Qualifying has been a nightmare for quite a long time. So it feels great to be up here,” the seven-times world champion, who is moving to Ferrari next year, told reporters.
“I feel very, very grateful and very, very happy.”
Russell qualified fourth, leaving a Mercedes second row behind McLaren’s Lando Norris on pole and Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen in second place.
The younger Briton had a torrid time before prevailing, cursing the tyres for a lack of grip and swearing over the radio in frustration.
“At the start of the day I would have signed for it (fourth place on the grid),” said Russell of a roller-coaster day that started with the second-fastest lap in final practice.
“After FP3 (third practice) I wouldn’t have signed for it. After Q1 (the first phase of qualifying) I would have begged for it. So that kind of gives you an indication of how today’s been.”
Russell said he had hoped to be fighting Norris for pole but suddenly risked being knocked out of the reckoning at the first hurdle.
“If Lando gets into the lead after turn one I think he’ll be off into the distance but I think definitely the fight is there against Max,” he said of Sunday’s race.
“All to play for, it’s a long race and it’s not over until the chequered flag. I learnt that pretty well last year so we’ll try and make it an extra half a lap this year.”
Russell crashed on the last lap in last year’s race while in third and chasing a possible victory. Hamilton has won four times in Singapore and a fifth win would equal Sebastian Vettel’s record.
(Writing by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Clare Fallon)
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