Mercedes looked relatively uncompetitive in second practice for the Singapore Grand Prix compared to their usual dominant pace, after Lewis Hamilton finished fourth fastest and Nico Rosberg just seventh.
However they don’t have their rivals fooled as both Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel refused to believe Mercedes won’t be battling for pole position and the win.
“I hope this is [Mercedes’] real pace,” said Ricciardo after he finished third fastest behind his team-mate and Kimi Raikkonen. “But, to be honest, I am still not looking to them tomorrow. I am sure they will turn it up and find a way.
“We will aim for [pole], whether we will get it or not is another thing. But I am sure Mercedes will fool everyone – we will do what we can to get as far up the grid as we can possibly get.”
Vettel, who was fifth fastest, is confident of Ferrari’s pace, but expects Mercedes to be on form when it matters.
“It’s always difficult to predict after Friday, but I think it was a good day for us,” said the German. “The car seems to work and I think we can still improve.
“Obviously the 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. We know some of the Mercedes team usually they don’t show everything on Friday.”
