Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won the previous two races in Belgium and Italy, but Mercedes driver Hamilton is favourite to secure his third victory in a row under the lights at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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Max Verstappen is also tipped to do well in Singapore and 2019 championship leader Hamilton expects Red Bull to be a challenger this weekend. Last year the Briton beat Verstappen to the chequered flag.
Hamilton said: “When you come here each year, [the balance of performance] shifts between the Ferrari, the Red Bulls and us.
“The Red Bulls have particularly been quick over the years, so we anticipate they’re going to be strong this weekend, and again, I have no idea whether Ferrari will be quick, as they have been in the last two races.
“We’ll just focus on ourselves, trying to make sure we extract the most we can.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen recorded the fastest time in the first free practice (FP1) session in Singapore on Friday.
Verstappen set the pace with a best lap of 1:40.259. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was second fastest while Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was third in the timings.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas set the fourth fastest time but crashed out. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also forced to retire early.
Hamilton top in FP2
In Friday’s second free practice session (FP2) Mercedes’s Hamilton topped the charts with a time of 1:38.773. Red Bull’s Verstappen was second and Ferrari’s Vettel was third.
On Saturday FP3 starts at 11am (BST) and qualifying is at 2pm. The race on Sunday begins at 1.10pm.
2019 F1 Singapore GP race guide
Circuit: Marina Bay Street Circuit
First grand prix: 2008
Number of laps: 61
Circuit length: 5.063km
Race distance: 308.706km
Lap record: 1:41.905 by Kevin Magnussen in 2018
2018 podium: 1st Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2nd Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing); 3rd Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
When are the practice sessions?
There are three full practice (FP) sessions in Singapore. On Friday 20 September FP1 takes place from 9.30am to 11am and FP2 is from 1.30pm to 3pm. FP3 will be from 11am to 12pm on Saturday 21 September. All times UK.
When is qualifying?
Qualifying for the F1 Singapore GP starts at 2pm on Saturday 21 September.
What time does the race start?
The 2019 F1 Singapore Grand Prix starts at 1.10pm (UK time) on Sunday 22 September.
(Image credit: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images)
Pundit predictions: who will win the Singapore GP?
The Daily Telegraph: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
“After two victories in two races, having had none in 2019 before (Ferrari wins are like buses, or something...) this is going to be much more difficult for them to win and even be competitive. It looks, then, like the circuit will suit the Red Bull and Mercedes more. Most likely the Mercedes will have an advantage but it could be close. Perhaps it will be a battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, as we sort of had last year. Will be interesting to see how Alex Albon does here as it’s his first race against Verstappen at Red Bull with a relatively even outlook, i.e. neither of them has a grid penalty. We think Verstappen is going to win this one, though.”
Bwin: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“Lewis Hamilton was unable to do much about Charles Leclerc’s wins in Belgium and Italy on tracks suited to the straight-line speed of Ferrari. However, conditions should be more conducive for the Mercedes star at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where he has prevailed for the past two years. We’re backing Hamilton to resume winning ways.”
Matthew Atkinson, The Stats Zone: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“Despite taking place at night, temperatures will still hit 30 degrees C and can be well over 50 degrees C in the drivers’ cockpits. Marina Bay in Singapore is a bumpy, twisty track which requires downforce rather than power which plays into Red Bull’s hands and they could be in with a shot, while historically [Ferrari’s Sebastian] Vettel has thrived in Singapore. However, Lewis Hamilton can reassert his dominance here after two races without a win.”
(Image credit: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images)
Singapore GP TV guide
Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of practice, qualifying and the GP from Singapore. Channel 4 will show highlights of qualifying and the race.
Watch F1 on Now TV
Formula 1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports Day Pass via Now TV for just £8.99, the most economical way of watching each race.
Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the Singapore GP Friday 20 September
9.15am: practice one build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
9.30am: practice one (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
1.15pm: practice two build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
1.30pm: practice two (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
4pm: The Story So Far
Saturday 21 September
10.45am: practice three build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
11am: practice three (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
12.10pm: Paddock Walkabout
1pm: qualifying build-up
2pm: Singapore GP qualifying
3.30pm: The F1 Show
Sunday 22 September
10.30am: The F1 Show on Sky One
11.30am: Pit Lane Live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
12.30pm: On The Grid (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
1.10pm: F1 Singapore Grand Prix
3pm: Paddock Live
4.25pm: Singapore GP Best Bits
4.55pm: Singapore GP race replay
Channel 4 coverage of the Singapore GP
6.30pm, Saturday 21 September: qualifying highlights
7pm, Sunday 22 September: Steve Jones, David Coulthard and Mark Webber present highlights from the Singapore Grand Prix
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