'We're here to attack' – Hamilton and Leclerc preview Ferrari's chances in Singapore GP

Lewis Hamilton insists that he and Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc are "here to attack" during the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend.

Hamilton arrives after a fightback drive last time out in Malaysia, where the wrong tyre strategy initially on a wet track meant the seven-time World Champion had to claw his way back to the podium from towards the rear of the field.

It was the first podium for Hamilton since the British Grand Prix back in July, with the Briton insisting on Thursday's media day in Singapore that the result last weekend did not necessarily mean Ferrari were back in contention for victory.

"It's not that we come here with momentum, we've had one good race last weekend and we'll try and build on that," said Hamilton.

"I think this should be an okay circuit for us, there's lots of challenges, particularly that it's a Sprint weekend, which makes this track the most challenging of the year. We're just going over the numbers and trying to make sure we start in the right place."

He added: "I've been pushing the car in a certain direction and I think we are slowly making gains and improvements. We're here to attack, Qualifying is key and it would be really great if we could start tomorrow on the right foot and then just attacking in Qualifying."

Despite a poor run of form over the last few events, Hamilton was hopeful that Ferrari's 2026 challenger would be better suited to Singapore's street venue, where a high downforce setup would be required.

"I think with our car it's generally good on street circuits, particularly when there's not long straights. If you look at the last races we're quick through corners, not so quick in a straight line," he said.

"This is a high drag circuit, so I'm hoping that the advantage others have on those long straights comes down a little bit and we can start matching them through corners."

Team mate Leclerc was cautious, however, believing that Ferrari may have slipped down in the performance pecking order, with the team's place as Mercedes' nearest opposition having been taken by McLaren and Red Bull in recent races.

"Historically we've been quite strong here, but we cannot really rely on the past," said Leclerc.

"We've got to do everything we can in order to be in the best possible situation. It's also true that the tendency lately has been that we're losing a bit of performance compared to the guys in front, so to win will be very difficult."