Lewis Hamilton upbeat despite issues in Singapore qualifying

The Briton was only able to get one early run in during Q3 as the team was unable to get sufficient fuel into the car for a second attempt. He had been a provisional second on the grid, but was pushed back to fourth as Mark Webber (Red Bull) and his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button improved.

"We came in, tried to refuel the car and had a fuelling problem so they couldn't do it," said Hamilton.

"We were running out of time bit by bit, and they just couldn't get enough fuel in the car, so we were too late to go again and unfortunately weren't able to get the second run.

"But these things happen and the team did the best job they could. We're not in a bad position.

"I think we probably could've been on the front row, I think we had a little bit more time in the bag, so that's positive for tomorrow."

He added: "The pace is good, I feel good. From fourth we can only go forwards."

Hamilton had made it through to Q3 despite a scare in Q2 when he picked up a puncture while only just inside the cut-off point in eighth.

"I think I went over a kerb and they said it lost pressure immediately," he explained.

"There are lots of bolts hanging out of the kerbs, that's what they've been having problems with all weekend, so maybe that's it."

He also escaped a near-miss with Felipe Massa's Ferrari at the start of Q3 as both jostled to find clear track.

"The guys always try to back you up and I was ready to get going," Hamilton said.

"I was trying to get past, and he was blocking and blocking and blocking. Eventually I got past.

"My lap was pretty good but I got held up behind Fernando [Alonso] - I was about a second behind Fernando at the end, so I lost a little bit in my second sector."