P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes qualified third and fourth and managed to bank a fourth and sixth-place finish in Singapore.
Mercedes highlighted how an unexpected turn of events on Saturday during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend helped them avert a potential disaster following a challenging Friday practice session. Throughout the first two practice sessions, the team struggled against the upgraded Williams cars, which they would typically outperform in normal dry conditions. Despite facing grip issues in FP3, a sudden surge in performance during Q2 allowed drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to contend near the front of the grid. However, a strategic error of starting Hamilton on soft tires led to a sixth-place finish in the race, with Russell maintaining fourth against Charles Leclerc. Technical director James Allison credited the team’s efforts in transforming a challenging Friday into a respectable grid position on Saturday, ultimately salvaging a less-than-ideal outcome on Sunday. Allison noted that the decision inadvertently prioritized qualifying performance over long-run pace, highlighting the challenges faced during the weekend.
