Tough Singapore GP good for Mercedes and F1, says Jenson Button

After a run of 23 successive poles - one shy of Williams's F1 record set in 1992-93 - Mercedes found itself off the pace in qualifying at the Marina Bay street circuit.

Instead, Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton - who had enjoyed a personal run of seven straight poles - and Nico Rosberg will start from fifth and sixth, with the reigning world champion 1.4s adrift of polesitter Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari.

"I think it's better for the whole sport, the shot in the arm the sport needs right now," Button said.

"It's great to see a mixed-up grid at the front. It's good for everyone, including Mercedes."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff added: "We've had one race weekend [Hungary] and one qualifying that hasn't lived up to our expectation.

"We've seen a very good Ferrari and a Red Bull bouncing back, and if you look at it from the optimistic, positive side, it is good for the sport, although it's not what we would have wished for.

"We've had a very good car throughout the season, and I don't see any reason why this would change going forward."

Button also feels Mercedes will be back at the front in next weekend's race in Japan, although he hopes the supremacy previously enjoyed by the team does not return.

"Maybe it's a one off. Who knows? Maybe it could continue, but there is no reason why it should continue if you look at it," said Button.

"Take this race out, you would never expect them to lose 1.4 seconds, not after Monza [where Mercedes dominated].

"When we go to Suzuka you will see them strong again, but it's whether they have the advantage they have enjoyed for 32 straight races.

"Hopefully they are not going to have the advantage, that there is more of a fight."