Hamilton says Russell has a great shot at Singapore Grand Prix

Russell qualified second on Saturday alongside Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and the last non-Red Bull driver to win a Formula One race could also be the one to end their run of 15 successive victories.

Second-placed qualifier George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes looks on during a press conference after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore. | Photo Credit: BRYN LENNON/Getty Images

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes team mate George Russell had a great shot at winning Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix and ending Red Bull’s dominance.

Russell qualified second on Saturday alongside Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and the last non-Red Bull driver to win a Formula One race could also be the one to end their run of 15 successive victories.

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The Briton secured his maiden F1 victory in Brazil last November.

Sainz and team mate Charles Leclerc qualified first and third while Hamilton, a four times Singapore winner, qualified fifth.

Red Bull’s double world champion Max Verstappen qualified 11th and his team mate Sergio Perez 13th on a circuit where overtaking is a challenge.

“I think George has really good shot at potentially winning,” Hamilton told reporters.

“I really hope that he does. I hope he gets a great start and gets ahead of the Ferraris that would be amazing for the team and for him,” he said.

“For me it’s just, yeah, see what I can do. If I can get further up then great. The car was good yesterday on the long run, but I changed the car overnight and now I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”