Hamilton perplexed by Ferrari step in Q3

Lewis Hamilton admits he wasn't expecting Ferrari to make such a big step forward in the final part of qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel secured his 49th career pole position with an impressive Q3 performance, having looked second best to Red Bull throughout the weekend. Hamilton had expected to fight with Ferrari based on Friday's practice sessions but will start four places behind title rival Vettel in fifth place and concedes he was surprised by Ferrari's performance in the final part of qualifying.

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"I don't really understand why they made such a big step in Q3," Hamilton said. "We were already holding on for dear life in Q1 and Q2, so perhaps they didn't get their laps, but all my laps were the same.

"I got everything out of all my laps; there was never a moment where I did a much better lap than another lap, they were all very much as good as they could be. I didn't actually get faster through the qualifying session, but it looked like he put together a great lap in the end.

"Watching the on-board footage it just looks like their car has a different level of grip to ours. Whether that's downforce or whatever, I think it's more mechanically than downforce."

Having comfortably outqualified teammate Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton took heart from his own performance even though he was unable to challenge for the front row.

"While it doesn't really show that greatly, it was a really strong session for me. Generally qualifying has been really strong this year, I'd say, and that qualifying session was just as strong as the one where I've qualified pole.

"I got everything I could out of the car, every single lap was right on it, I didn't have mistakes that cost me a ton of time. I was really happy with it, so even though I come out of it without the position I want to be in, I'm generally very happy with my own performance. If I keep that then I know that when the car and track come to us, then hopefully I will be able to execute and the result will show up."

Asked what the best way is for him to try and limit the damage compared to Vettel on Sunday, the championship leader replied: "Your guess is as good as mine, I really don't know.

"It's difficult to know what to predict at this track, it's an incredibly challenging and technical circuit but like a lot of the circuits we have it's not a great racing track because you can't overtake here because it's very hard to follow. Because it's so hot you are always on the limit of your brakes and I don't know if it's the way of the straights, but you just can't follow.

"As usual it is generally a procession when you are all following each other for a while, but there is the start, which can always be exciting, Safety Cars do often come into play and the strategy you can over or undercut other drivers. So at least that's an exciting factor. That's really the exciting part tomorrow, so those two opportunities and one more if there is a Safety Car. I've just got to try and keep the pressure on the guys in front without cooking my car."