Hamilton urges Ferrari to attack as Leclerc warns of tough Singapore fight
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari must approach the Singapore Grand Prix ready to attack, while team-mate Charles Leclerc has warned that recent form makes victory a difficult target.
Hamilton arrives after recovering to the podium in Malaysia, where a tyre strategy on a wet track left him needing to fight back from near the rear of the field. It was his first podium since the British Grand Prix in July, but he cautioned against treating that result as proof Ferrari had returned to winning contention.
Hamilton sees a chance if Ferrari gets its weekend right
Hamilton said the team had managed one strong race and needed to build from there. He expects Singapore to suit Ferrari reasonably well, though he described the Sprint format and the circuit’s demands as a major challenge. Getting the car into the right window early will be important, with qualifying a particular priority.
He also believes the SF-26’s strengths could be more useful at a venue that places greater emphasis on cornering than long straights. Ferrari has been quick through corners in recent races, Hamilton said, but has lacked speed on the straights. Singapore’s high-drag layout could reduce the advantage rivals have enjoyed on longer straights and give Ferrari a chance to match them in the corners.
Hamilton said he has been pushing development in a particular direction and feels the team is making gradual gains. The result in Malaysia, however, has not changed his view that the work must continue. Readers can follow more on Hamilton’s efforts to turn around his Ferrari season.
Leclerc says Ferrari cannot rely on its Singapore history
Leclerc acknowledged that Ferrari has performed well at the circuit in the past, but said that history alone would not guarantee a strong weekend. He believes the team has lost ground to the leading rivals recently, with McLaren and Red Bull now ahead in the performance order.
That makes a win a tough prospect, according to Leclerc, who said Ferrari must focus on putting itself in the best possible position. The team’s immediate target is to make the most of the weekend rather than assume past results will repeat.
Ferrari’s Singapore preparations have also included a special race suit for Leclerc. On track, the task is clearer: find the right setup, qualify well and see whether Singapore’s layout can help Ferrari close the gap.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.