Lewis Hamilton arrived in Singapore after a difficult few days following the passing of his dog Roscoe, who had accompanied him to races for many years. Reflecting on the support he received, he said: “It was overwhelming to see just how many people Roscoe touched around the world, and really heart-warming to receive so many messages. I know so many people in the world have gone through this and know what it’s like to have a pet that gives you such amazing love — it’s an incredible bond. I’m really just looking forward now to getting back in the car and doing what I love here.”

Cooling system. The FIA has declared this event a “Heat Hazard Race,” meaning drivers are allowed to wear a refrigerated vest connected to a cooling system in the car. Lewis was asked if he planned to use it. “I think I’ll try it,” he said. “Last year I struggled quite a lot with the heat here, but I’m not really sure, as the jacket is quite uncomfortable and pinches my back. Let’s see how it goes in free practice and then I’ll decide.”

Performance. As for the weekend ahead, Hamilton said he “expects to have a good feeling from the car, as has been the case in recent races. But from having a good feeling in the car to getting a good result, you need perfect execution — which is what we must focus on from tomorrow’s first free practice session.”