Third on the grid, Lewis vows to fight on
Championship leader vows to fight from third on the grid
After a troubling Friday, when he missed the better part of second practice because of a hydraulic problem, Lewis Hamilton was a picture of gloom following last night's qualifying.
Leading the drivers' championship by only two points, his nearest rival and teammate, Nico Rosberg has taken pole and is in prime position to retake the lead in the title battle.
Hamilton's job around the tough Marina Bay is made much more difficult after Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo beat him to the remaining front-row spot.
But the Englishman is undaunted.
"I've kind of been on the back foot all year long, so there's no real difference to me," he said after qualifying. "I'll do the best job I can from there and try and fight my way through.
HARD TO OVERTAKE
"It's a very hard track to overtake, so you're usually stuck where you are but there're lots of safety cars at this race, so lots can happen during the race."
Hamilton is an out-and-out racer and has been in worst positions.
Two races ago in Belgium, he started from the back of the grid and worked his way up to end the race third.
The 31-year-old also started the season with problems plaguing his car and had to fight a 43-point deficit and take over the championship lead in July.
Despite the seething anger after he was denied the front row last night, Hamilton said it was one of those days when things did not click for him and the team.
"It wasn't really a frustrating session," he said. "It's just not been my weekend so far.
"Just not really got many good laps out there and I've not been able to string them together, and that was the case today.
"Nico did a great job and showed the true potential of the car.
"Hopefully tomorrow, I'll try and at least get one step up ahead to give that front row for the team."
What Hamilton needs now is to make the best of a difficult position and target the best point finish to keep Rosberg honest in the championship battle.
And he is confident his strategist will come up with a sound plan.
Said the championship leader: "He's done a great job. I think we're on the right strategy but of course Nico's in the front, so he will probably control the race from there and make it as hard as possible for Daniel and me to pass him."
BY THE NUMBERS
3
In last month's Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, who started from the back of the grid, eventually worked his way up to finish third.
TONIGHT’S S’PORE GP STARTING GRID
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now