Formula One news

Chicane 'a bit more dangerous' - Hamilton

World Champion Lewis Hamilton had mixed feelings over the first evening of practice in Singapore but pointed out that modifications to the newly-named 'Singapore Sling' chicane appear to make the area more hazardous.

Having finished one place behind team-mate Heikki Kovalainen in first practice and six positions back in the second session, the Finn led the way for KERS cars for the entire night. However, Hamilton was quick to point out the changes to Turn 10.

Kovalainen was the best-placed McLaren in both Friday practices

"I'm still lacking some speed in certain areas so I need to work on that," the Englishman said. "The sessions were a little up and down for me today - I didn't have any major problems but I wasn't as fast as I'd hoped to be.

"The track's still very bumpy and all the traffic makes it quite difficult to get a clear lap - and the Turn 10 chicane is also worse than last year - a bit more dangerous - but nobody's had any problems there so it should be okay."

Kovalainen's spirits were naturally higher after finishing sixth and third in the two sessions. "I'm very happy," he smiled. "I didn't have any problems today and I think we made some good progress between the sessions. However, the other teams are also looking quick here so it's not going to be easy."

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