Hamilton ready to graft against title rival Vettel
LEWIS HAMILTON admits he has “work to do” after clocking the third fastest time in practice at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo completed a practice double as he set the fastest lap in opening practice before finishing half-a-second clear of team-mate Max Verstappen with a record time of one minute and 40.852 seconds.
Hamilton, who holds a three-point advantage in the title race, was next in the order but hasn’t given up hope of retaining his championship lead over rival Sebastian Vettel who was 11th.
Hamilton, who has won in Singapore twice, said: “We were close with the field and we have still got some improvements to make with the car.
“Red Bull seem very strong and thereabouts with Ferrari, so we’ve got some work to do. But nothing is out of reach.”
Vettel was just 11th but his result is skewed given that he failed to post a fast lap on the ultrasoft tyre.
But with his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen only ninth there will be concern in the Ferrari camp with the slow-speed nature of this 3.2-mile street circuit.
Hamilton, in charge of the title race for the first time after his Italian GP glory, will feel relieved to have seen his rival behind him with Mercedes braced for a difficult weekend.