Hamilton focused on title, not Senna-equalling feat

Singapore GP features 23 tight corners coupled with heat and humidity

SINGAPORE: Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton said he would be emotional if he matched Ayrton Senna’s 41 Grand Prix wins at Sunday’s Singapore race but his focus remained entirely on retaining the world title.

The Briton picked up his 40th Grand Prix win in Italy a fortnight ago to stretch his lead to 53 points over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg with only six races to go following Sunday’s win in the Southeast Asian city state.

Hamilton is favourite to win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, which would mean matching Senna’s victories in 161 starts, but he said equalling the late Brazilian’s three world titles mattered more.

“It honestly doesn’t make any difference. I’m here fighting for the world championships, that’s my focus,” Hamilton told reporters on Thursday when asked if the pressure of matching Senna’s record would weigh on him.

“I don’t feel particularly under pressure this weekend but if I was to achieve the same amount at some stage, or this weekend, it would be very emotional.”

Singapore features 23 tight corners on a long track that often pushes the two-hour race time limit. Coupled with the heat, humidity and racing under lights it is one of the most demanding on the calendar. Pole sitters have won five of the seven previous races there, including Hamilton last year.

Vettel still on maximum attack for title

Quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel returns to a happy hunting ground in Singapore this week still on maximum attack for another drivers’ title.

The Ferrari driver picked up his second win of the year at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July but the dominant form of Hamilton has allowed the Mercedes driver to open up a 74- point advantage over Vettel with six races remaining.

Vettel, third in the standings and 21 points behind Hamilton’s team mate Nico Rosberg, was optimistic about reducing the deficits at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where he won three times with Red Bull and also finished second twice.

“It is always difficult to predict what is going to happen but this place has been a good place for me, very good results the last couple of years,” said the 28-year-old. “I think we have a strong package so hopefully we can keep this record up.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th,  2015.

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