Hamilton: Red Bull and Ferrari "genuine" threats in F1 Singapore GP
Mercedes believes the threat posed by Red Bull and Ferrari in Formula 1 free practice for the Singapore Grand Prix is genuine heading into the rest of the weekend
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were , where Daniil Kvyat led the way for Red Bull ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and the second RB11 of Daniel Ricciardo.
While Rosberg accepted Mercedes "didn't do a good job today" both he and Hamilton are expecting a fight with Red Bull and Ferrari for honours in Singapore.
"I definitely think we've got a genuine challenge from those guys," said Hamilton.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes, it's going to be interesting."
When asked if Mercedes is likely to face its toughest fight for pole position so far this season, the world champion added: "It looks like that could be the case, yes.
"Ferrari are very fast, and Red Bull look like they are quicker.
"I'm not focusing on the others so I'm not any more excited, but tomorrow if it's closer then it's going to be more exciting for the fans and also for us."
However, Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel are both expecting Mercedes to take a step forward when it counts on Saturday.
"I hope it's [Mercedes] real pace," said Ricciardo. "To be honest I'm still not looking to them tomorrow.
"Mercedes will turn it up tomorrow and surprise everyone - not surprise everyone, but fool everyone.
"Ferrari and Williams normally turn it up a bit on Saturday, so hopefully whatever they do is not too much and we can hang in there.
"If today's any tell-tale sign, we're looking pretty good. We've still got a bit more pace in us."
Vettel added: "Mercedes will be quick - I don't know what happened to them today.
"They looked a bit slow but I'm sure they will change it for tomorrow.
"As expected, the Red Bulls are fairly quick round here so it will be tight.
"For the race things look OK, but I was not entirely happy with the short runs I had so for qualifying we have to improve a little bit."
FIA and Pirelli clarify F1 tyre pressure checks after Monza furore
Singapore Grand Prix Friday FIA press conference
F1 testing: Max Verstappen feels 'big difference' in 2018 Red Bull
F1 testing: Max Verstappen feels 'big difference' in 2018 Red Bull F1 testing: Max Verstappen feels 'big difference' in 2018 Red Bull
Williams F1's Oliver Rowland to test Super Formula car at Suzuka
Williams F1's Oliver Rowland to test Super Formula car at Suzuka Williams F1's Oliver Rowland to test Super Formula car at Suzuka
Why F1's under-fire rookie is already causing surprises
Why F1's under-fire rookie is already causing surprises Why F1's under-fire rookie is already causing surprises
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Sainz details 2023 F1 car problems after Ferrari analysis
Sainz details 2023 F1 car problems after Ferrari analysis Sainz details 2023 F1 car problems after Ferrari analysis
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Gasly has asked Alpine F1 team for more time to adapt
Gasly has asked Alpine F1 team for more time to adapt Gasly has asked Alpine F1 team for more time to adapt
Folger to fill in for injured Pol Espargaro at Tech3 MotoGP squad
Folger to fill in for injured Pol Espargaro at Tech3 MotoGP squad Folger to fill in for injured Pol Espargaro at Tech3 MotoGP squad
Friday favourite: The Swedish speedbowl where oval set-ups paid dividends
Friday favourite: The Swedish speedbowl where oval set-ups paid dividends Friday favourite: The Swedish speedbowl where oval set-ups paid dividends
Horner counters Perez's suggestions about Red Bull being one-car F1 team
Horner counters Perez's suggestions about Red Bull being one-car F1 team Horner counters Perez's suggestions about Red Bull being one-car F1 team
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?
What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The state of play in F1's technical silly season
The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.