Hamilton sets himself target | Russell 'phenomenal' before crash

Singapore GP: Lewis Hamilton targets F1 qualifying improvement after Mercedes victory near-miss "I'm in my element in the race...it's just qualifying needs to get better," says Lewis Hamilton after his Singapore weekend came alive in the race; Hamilton's third place lifts him above Fernando Alonso in the championship; Mercedes driver also has warm words for team-mate George Russell Last Updated: 17/09/23 7:43pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Lewis Hamilton believes his qualifying needs to improve as he felt he could have been on pole after securing a podium in the Singapore Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton believes his qualifying needs to improve as he felt he could have been on pole after securing a podium in the Singapore Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton says he "will not be satisfied" until he rediscovers the qualifying form he believes stopped him a complete front-running weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix after Mercedes' late charge took him back to the podium. The Mercedes driver moved into third place on Sunday's frenetic final lap after team-mate George Russell crashed, but Hamilton had been right on his team-mate's tail in position to profit from an errors after enjoying an improved race compared to qualifying when he was only fifth.Reflecting on the weekend after Mercedes ended up so close to a first win of 2023, Hamilton told Sky Sports F1: "It's all in hindsight but I think the thing I was most disappointing with...I mean George was so close to pole yesterday [Saturday]. "I should have been on pole yesterday [Saturday]."But then we had a good race. The race was kind of textbook. The team did a good job with strategy."I'm in my element in the race. It's just qualifying needs to get better. George was great all weekend." Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options Hamilton has been outqualified by Russell in all three races since the summer break, meaning the younger Englishman has edged back ahead in their Saturday head-to-head by eight to seven.Asked how he get can back to top form over a single lap, Hamilton replied: "It's clearly not just the car. George was on the front row."It's me, just my driving style, changes that perhaps I'm making. It's a lot of different things, so I need to look into that."I will naturally keep my head down, keep pushing and will not be satisfied until I get back there." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player George Russell, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton all pass Max Verstappen as his weekend continues to go from bad to worse! George Russell, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton all pass Max Verstappen as his weekend continues to go from bad to worse! But, overall, Hamilton said he was energised by how Mercedes had approached the race and attacked for the win by making a second stop for fresh tyres in Singapore."As a team, we risked it at the end and took the chance. I love that the team is doing that," he added.Hamilton's first podium finish in five races moved him ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso for third place in the drivers' championship for the first time this season.Hamilton backs Russell to bounce back | 'Phenomenal all weekend' Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player George Russell crashes out on the final lap of a thrilling Singapore Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz holds on to win, with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton completing the top three George Russell crashes out on the final lap of a thrilling Singapore Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz holds on to win, with Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton completing the top three Having qualified on the front row, Hamilton's team-mate had been enjoying a particularly stellar weekend around the tight and demanding sweeps of Marina Bay and at one stage in the closing stages Russell looked like he would have a serious shot at overhauling Carlos Sainz for a last-gasp race victory.His crash while chasing second-placed Lando Norris ultimately undid that hard work, but Hamilton was full of praise for his team-mate's efforts all weekend."We are all trying to be millimetre perfect out there and it's very, very easy to make mistakes. It's easy for any of us, being in the position George was in," said the seven-time champion in