Vettel focusing on Red Bulls, not Hamilton, in Singapore

Sebastian Vettel says he is "not bothered" by Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton's starting position in Singapore, instead focusing on the Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo who will start directly behind him on the grid.

Vettel swept to his second pole position of the season in Singapore on Saturday, beating Verstappen by three-tenths of a second in Q3.

Hamilton and Mercedes had a day to forget, ailing to fifth place on the grid, leaving the Briton's hopes of still leading the championship leaving Singapore hanging by a thread given the lack of overtaking opportunities in Singapore.

While Vettel acknowledged that grid position was crucial in Singapore, he said he would be focusing on the Red Bulls just behind and not playing the percentage game for the title race with Hamilton.

“We have a long race and there are a lot of things that can happen. Certainly here grid position here is king or crucial, but it’s still a long race," Vettel said after qualifying.

"Our car was good this evening and that’s promising for tomorrow. Yesterday we had a scrappy session and I lost the car, I had damage, so the runs after that were compromised.

"The feeling was there, I knew that the car has got it but we just needed to get it out and that’s what we managed to do tonight. I’m confident for tomorrow.

"Max is next to me so first of all I’m racing him and then Daniel and so on and so forth, so not too bothered where other people are.

"There’s a long race ahead and a lot of things we need to get right ourselves."