McLaren star unable to complete qualifying after refuelling problem
Last Updated: September 24, 2011 7:01pm
Hamilton: refuelling problem in qualifying
The gremlins that have dogged McLaren this season struck again during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton the driver to suffer.
Hamilton's team-mate Jenson Button this week said McLaren have made too many mistakes this year to be competitive, and there was more of the same on Saturday as the team failed to get Hamilton out for a second flying lap in the final session due to an issue with their refuelling system.
Chasing what would have been a fifth consecutive front-row start, Hamilton instead had to settle for fourth place on the grid for Sunday's race, right behind third-placed man Button.
Hamilton, who also suffered a puncture in Q2, said: "It was quite an eventful evening, but still quite good because we were competitive.
"But towards the end I came in, tried to refuel the car, but they had a problem. Bit by bit we were running out of time, and in the end we couldn't get enough fuel in the car, so we were too late to get going.
"Unfortunately we couldn't get in a second run, but these kind of things happen, the team did the best job they could.
"I think we could have been on the front row if we'd had a bit more time in the bag, which is good, so that's a positive for tomorrow."
Kerbing
As for the puncture, it was initially thought that debris from Kamui Kobayashi's crash at turn 10 might have been the cause, but Hamilton later suggested it could have been due to a recurrence of the kerbing issues that blighted Friday's practice sessions.
"I went over a kerb, and the team said the [right rear] tyre lost pressure immediately," added Hamilton. "There are lots of bolts sticking out of the kerbs, which is what they have been having problems with, so maybe that was it."
The drama did not end there, with Hamilton also surviving a brush with Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the start of Q3. Hamilton just managed to squeeze past the Brazilian after being held up, but came close to a collision.
"People always try to back you up, but I was ready to get going," said Hamilton.
"I was trying to get past, but he was blocking, blocking, blocking. Eventually I managed to get by, and after that my lap was pretty good.
"Overall, the pace is good and I also feel good. From fourth I can only go forwards - I hope so."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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