Kevin Magnussen is keeping his sights on beating his current teammate Jolyon Palmer, as he waits to see if he will be retained by Renault for 2017.
According to the Danish newspaper BT, Magnussen was disappointed to qualify just 17th in Singapore.
"Of course I'm not happy with 17th," he said.
"It makes no sense that I was 12th at Spa and 17th here on a track that should suit us better."
Renault is even using a new specification of engine this weekend in Singapore.
"The engine update didn't make much difference, but the driveability is a little better," Magnussen said.
"The new fuel also gives a bit more power - not much, but it's still impressive what you can get from the fuel alone."
Magnussen said that it is also important that he managed to outqualify his Renault teammate Palmer by a tenth.
"Of course it's important, especially during a time when the drivers will be selected," Magnussen is quoted as saying by the Danish broadcaster TV3.
"If there is a situation where only one of the drivers is changed, it's important that it is me and not him. So it's a pity not to get even higher up in qualifying."
Magnussen and Palmer sit 16th and 20th respectively in the drivers' standings ahead of today's race.
