News Summary
- Lewis Hamilton admits he chose a different run plan for SQ3 and believes he got the decision wrong.
- The Ferrari driver struggled with severe oversteer and a lack of rear grip on soft tyres after performing strongly on mediums.
- Hamilton qualified sixth for the Singapore sprint, despite showing competitive pace in SQ1 and SQ2.
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his decision to adopt a different run plan during Singapore GP sprint qualifying backfired, after a sudden loss of rear grip prevented him from challenging for pole position at Marina Bay.
The seven-time world champion looked competitive throughout the opening two segments, particularly on medium tyres, but struggled to reproduce that performance when Ferrari switched to softs for SQ3. Hamilton eventually qualified sixth with a 1:31.702, 0.546s behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen and 0.303s slower than teammate Charles Leclerc.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after Friday’s session, Hamilton accepted responsibility for the strategic decision and admitted that he could not explain why the Ferrari’s balance changed so dramatically.
Hamilton admits different SQ3 strategy was his decision
Hamilton had demonstrated promising speed in the opening stages of sprint qualifying, with Ferrari emerging as one of Red Bull’s main challengers.
However, the final segment proved considerably more difficult. While Leclerc secured third place, Hamilton was unable to complete a competitive lap on the soft compound.
“It was looking good in Q1 and Q2, and then… I don’t really know where it went away,” Hamilton told. “We did a slightly different run plan to the others. It was my choice, and… I think I got that wrong.”
The Ferrari driver explained that the car became increasingly difficult to control during his final attempt, particularly through the slower corners where rear traction is essential.
“But ultimately, just the car was very oversteery on that lap. I don’t know if the rears were not ready or if they were overheating. It was difficult to say, but it was very, very snappy oversteery, and it just wasn’t a good lap overall.”
Ferrari loses rear grip after switching to soft tyres
Hamilton’s difficulties were particularly unexpected because he had felt comfortable on the medium compound during SQ1 and SQ2.
The Briton explained that the switch to soft tyres dramatically changed the car’s balance, increasing front-end grip without providing the corresponding traction at the rear.
“Yeah, on the mediums, it was good. Yeah, just much different on the soft,” Hamilton said. “Lots of grip, but only on the front, and none at the rear, so… Could be balance.”
The difference left Hamilton struggling to control the Ferrari through Marina Bay’s demanding corners, where maintaining traction and confidence over bumps is essential.
“Obviously, I had the pace in the first two sessions, and then all of a sudden, I just couldn’t pull. I didn’t have the grip on the rear for some reason. On that last lap, so it is what it is.”
The result contrasted with Leclerc’s performance, as the Monegasque secured third place with a 1:31.399, only 0.243s behind Verstappen.
Hamilton starts sixth as Ferrari misses sprint pole
Ferrari had arrived in Singapore encouraged by its improved performance at Sepang, where Hamilton finished third and Leclerc fourth.
The SF-26 also demonstrated promising pace during Friday’s only practice session, with Leclerc second and Hamilton fourth.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported after FP1, both Ferrari drivers finished inside the top four, raising expectations that the team could challenge Mercedes and Red Bull in sprint qualifying.
However, Verstappen ultimately secured pole with a 1:31.156, beating George Russell by 0.120s and Leclerc by 0.243s.
The complete Singapore sprint qualifying results placed Hamilton sixth, behind both McLarens but ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
The Ferrari driver will therefore start Saturday’s sprint from the third row, with eight championship points available to the winner.
Hamilton faces another challenge in Singapore sprint
Hamilton’s sixth-place starting position leaves him behind several drivers capable of fighting for victory, including Verstappen, Russell and Leclerc.
Marina Bay’s narrow layout makes overtaking difficult, increasing the importance of the start and tyre management during the shorter race.
The Briton will have another opportunity to qualify for Sunday’s Grand Prix during Saturday’s separate qualifying session, allowing Ferrari to review the balance problems experienced on soft tyres.
The complete Singapore GP schedule, including sprint and broadcast information is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO‘s weekend guide. GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.
Singapore GP 2026: F1 schedule and start times
The 2026 Singapore GP takes place from October 9-11 at Marina Bay, featuring a sprint weekend with five Formula 1 sessions. See the start times for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand.
| Session | UK (BST) | US/Canada (ET) | India (IST) | Australia (AEDT) | New Zealand (NZDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 10 | |||||
| Sprint | 10:00 | 05:00 | 14:30 | 20:00 | 22:00 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 14:00 | 09:00 | 18:30 | Sun 00:00 | Sun 02:00 |
| Sunday, October 11 | |||||
| Grand Prix | 13:00 | 08:00 | 17:30 | 23:00 | Mon 01:00 |
All times are local to each listed region. Australia refers to Sydney/Melbourne time (AEDT), New Zealand to Auckland/Wellington (NZDT), and ET to New York/Toronto. Dates are the same as Singapore unless otherwise indicated.
For additional details, see the complete Singapore GP schedule and how to watch. GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is Singapore GP sprint qualifying today?
Sprint qualifying starts at 20:30 Singapore time on Friday, October 9, equivalent to 13:30 BST in the UK, 08:30 ET in the United States and Canada, and 18:00 IST in India. The session determines the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint.
Who was fastest in Singapore GP FP1?
George Russell topped FP1 with a 1:32.274, driving Mercedes’ older W17 aerodynamic specification. Charles Leclerc finished second, 0.198s behind, followed by Lando Norris in third. Kimi Antonelli was seventh with the upgraded Mercedes, while Gabriel Bortoleto finished 16th.
Why is George Russell using the old Mercedes at the Singapore GP?
Mercedes is comparing its previous W17 specification with the aerodynamic upgrade introduced at Sepang. Russell is using the older package, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli retains the new version. Russell led FP1, but differences in tyre compounds and run programmes mean the result alone does not establish which specification is faster.
Why did Lewis Hamilton struggle in Singapore sprint qualifying?
Hamilton said Ferrari’s balance changed dramatically on soft tyres, producing severe oversteer and insufficient rear grip. He also admitted choosing a different SQ3 run plan that he believes was unsuccessful.
