Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration after a tough practice session at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, predicting that he might not make it to Q3 in qualifying. The seven-time world champion struggled with his car’s performance, saying, “Nothing seems to work,” after trying various setup changes during the practice sessions.
Hamilton noted that his Mercedes felt unresponsive on the track, and despite the team’s efforts to tweak the car, the improvements were minimal. He emphasized that the car’s balance was off, making it difficult for him to find the pace needed to compete at the front. Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit is notoriously demanding, and Mercedes has historically faced challenges here due to its high downforce requirements and tight, twisty nature.
Hamilton’s comments suggested a sense of concern heading into the weekend, as he believes his current pace won’t be enough to progress to the final qualifying round, Q3. However, he remained hopeful that further adjustments could turn things around.
Mercedes, while competitive in 2023, has not consistently matched the dominant pace of Red Bull, and Hamilton’s struggles in Singapore could be a reflection of the car’s limitations on specific circuits. Despite the challenges, Hamilton’s resilience and experience often see him rise to the occasion, but his prediction hints at the uphill battle he faces in one of the trickiest races on the calendar.