Daniil Kvyat says it is too early to judge the pecking order for the Singapore Grand Prix despite taking his Red Bull to the top of the timing screens in FP2.
Kvyat topped a surprising session under the lights at Marina Bay, edging out Kimi Raikkonen and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was three tenths behind, with Nico Rosberg down in seventh, as Mercedes appeared to struggle to switch its super-soft tyres on like its rivals.
However, fuel loads and engine modes are unknown in FP2 and Kvyat is keeping his expectations in check ahead of qualifying on Saturday.
"We knew on this track we had a bit more of a chance but we don't know what Mercedes was doing today, we just have to wait until tomorrow," Kvyat said.
Asked if he FP2 was a true reflection of the pace of others, he replied: "Exactly, that's what I think we should wait until tomorrow. Today I felt everything was quite okay with the car, especially considering I missed completely almost FP1 so it was quite good value for FP2. Still, we have to wait until tomorrow."
Kvyat was playing catch-up in the evening having spent much of FP1 in the Red Bull garage with mechanics working on his power unit. Despite that delay, which saw him complete only eight laps in the opening session, the Russian driver says he immediately found a good rhythm in the evening.
"For me, after FP1, after no laps, it was a bit surprising but the feeling was good straight away so I just went for it. Obviously we don't know what others are doing but everyone is on super-soft so let's see how tomorrow will do. [P1] is always the goal, but I just do my best and we will see where it will be. It would be great, fantastic."