Mat Coch writes:

Sebastian Vettel has a love-hate relationship with Singapore. Although he's won around the Marina Bay circuit for the last two years it's a race that takes its toll.

"I love the challenge but equally you know it's hard work," he said on Thursday. "You need to get everything right.

"Qualifying is very important as it usually is on a street circuit. The race is a marathon waiting for you but it's a nice challenge.

"I think generally street circuits are very technical, very demanding," the three-time world champion added. "The difference between Monaco and Singapore is the track is quite a bit longer in Singapore here. Singapore is more demanding just because the race is longer, it's more or less two hours long, the longest race we have in the season. It's very hot, very humid, and therefore extremely physical.

After back-to-back wins in Belgium and Italy the German now enjoys a 53-point lead in the Drivers' Championship, though he is still taking things one race at a time.

"I'm trying not to get carried away," he claimed. "I want to win here. I want to focus on the race and I want to enjoy the fact it's the only night race we have really.

"We know we have a strong package but we have to work hard to be in the front and to finish in a good position.

"For sure there are some people that are tired of Red Bull winning but we are not and we know that there's no guarantee."

One expected challenger is Mercedes. Though not the anticipated threat many had predicted in Belgium or Italy, Vettel is not underestimating the competition.

"I think Mercedes will be strong. I don't know what happened in Monza but especially in qualifying trim it was a surprise to see that Mercedes was a little bit behind.

"Lewis and Nico are quite strong on street circuits. Lewis was very competitive here last year, we were fighting for the Grand Prix until he retired and Nico won Monaco this year. They will be up there."

Check out our Thursday gallery, here.