Schumacher says not running in Q3 a risk worth taking

The German Mercedes driver decided to save super soft tyres for the race and did not go out during Q3, finishing eighth on the grid as the Force Indias did not run either.

Schumacher said the decision not to run was a "risk worth taking".

"It was quite a tactical qualifying session, in which we chose not to run in Q3 to save new tyres for the race," said Schumacher.

"In theory, this should be worth some time over the race distance, so it was a calculated risk worth taking.

"As we all know from the past, a lot of incidents can happen during the Singapore Grand Prix, so I will certainly go for any opportunity which might occur. I will definitely keep my fingers crossed for Sebastian to clinch his second world title here tomorrow."

Team-mate Nico Rosberg qualified in seventh position and, unlike Schumacher, he decided to use all his tyres in order to try and beat Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

In the end Rosberg failed to do so, but believes it was the right decision to try.

"I had a good fast lap in Q3 and we were able to take the most out of the car today so I'm quite satisfied," he said. "Starting in seventh place was the maximum that we could have achieved, although Massa was very close so it was definitely worth trying to catch him.

"Being on the clean side at the grid gives me a good position for the start, so I will try to make up positions there and score some good points. I think it will be an exciting race here with all the new things like DRS and the Pirelli tyres."