---
title: "Mercedes duo split on Singapore form"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/09/17/mercedes-duo-split-singapore-form/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Issatt"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2016-09-17T09:02:32Z"
modified: "2016-09-17T09:02:32Z"
---

# Mercedes duo split on Singapore form

The two Mercedes drivers have mixed feelings despite contrasting Friday’s at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg remains wary of his rivals upping their pace on Saturday that comes as he set the fastest of the day under the lights at Marina Bay.

“It’s been okay,” he said reflecting on a mostly successful day. “We know that this is the best track for Red Bull and Ferrari, so we just have to be careful and do the best we can.

“We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves because, last year on Friday, we looked okay and, on Saturday, we were nowhere, so let’s wait and see.”

![Lars Baron/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/09/606084134.jpg)

Certainly, the German is at least expecting a fight with Ferrari and Red Bull but believes Mercedes’ main focus should be on maximising their result.

“We can see what they were doing and, for sure, they were quick today, both Red Bull and Ferrari, and also in the long runs.

“We sure have work to do. Pole will definitely be important, even though we’ve seen in recent races that it’s not the most crucial thing. Definitely, that’s what I’ll try and aim for, and, in the end, we have to concentrate on ourselves and maximise what we’ve got.”

![Mark Thompson/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/09/606181506.jpg)

Contrast that mood to his teammate Lewis Hamilton who, despite failing to complete a representative low fuel time as well as missing out on the race simulation, sent a warning shot to his rivals.

“We’re going to be fighting tomorrow, for sure, hopefully for the front row,” he said.

“It’s much, much better than last year. Obviously, last year was a disaster but today we looked like we’re quick and it looks like it’s genuine pace so I think we have a fight on our hands, hopefully with Ferrari.”

He also eased concerns of any long-lasting effects from the hydraulics problem that left his Mercedes stranded in the garage and was confident of finding further gains on Saturday .

“There’s always a little bit to find but generally I’ve not got any problems,” he said.

“They fixed it (the hydraulics), it was a small thing. It is a little bit of a disadvantage to lose time but it’s nothing that we can’t handle. There are days when we’ve missed a whole session.

“It’s just taking it one step at a time to improve the car, but we’re pretty close I would say.”