McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton slams bumpy, dangerous Singapore circuit ahead of F1 race

Hamilton slams bumpy Singapore F1 circuit

SINGAPORE — McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton criticized the Singapore Grand Prix circuit on Saturday, calling it unsafe in parts for this weekend’s Formula One race.

Hamilton said his car struggled in practice for Sunday’s race on the street circuit.

“It’s such a bumpy track and the ride on our car was quite poor,” Hamilton said. “It’s shaking so much. The car is bumping and bouncing and sliding.

“It’s still very bad. I don’t really think it’s changed at all to be honest.”

The defending world champion also criticized the changes made to the chicane on turn 10, where curbs had been built up to prevent drivers from riding over them and slowing down the approach.

“It’s a lot worse than last year,” Hamilton said. “Last year, it was a weird little corner anyway but it was quite good — a quick left, right, left. Now it’s big, fat curbs and there’s no runoff, so it’s very dangerous.

“I’m sure in the race someone will crash there. If someone blew a tire and had an over-steer moment and slid and hit one of those curbs, they would fly. It’s not very safe.”

Hamilton said the bumps and turn 10 were discussed in the drivers’ meeting Friday, and representations would be made to the FIA asking for further improvements for 2011.

“I am sure the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association), at the end of this week, we will have comments on the circuit that will hopefully aid the FIA in improving it next year,” he said.