Lando Norris takes F1 pole in Singapore GP after red flag, as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton put themselves up in second and third.
Q1:
The first part in F1 Singapore GP qualifying at Marina Bay Circuit saw a hectic run all-through with track evolution playing a big role. McLaren’s Lando Norris headed the standings with a 1m30.002s lap without having used a second set of tyre.
It was same for Oscar Piastri in third, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in second was forced to used a second set. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also went on the second set but aborted the lap after seeing that he was safe to make it through in Q2.
It was close escape for Mercedes’ George Russell, who was just 13th in the end amid struggles for a lot of drivers apart from McLaren. The late improvements dropped Visa Cash App RB’s Daniel Ricciardo (1m31.085s) to 16th and out of qualifying.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (1m31.094s) was 17th from Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (1m31.312s), where both their teammates made it into Q2. The last row of the grid was rounded out by Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu (1m31.572s) and Valtteri Bottas (1m32.054s).
Q2:
The second part in F1 Singapore GP qualifying saw an early lap deletion for Verstappen after his wide moment in the final corner. But he made it around on his sole attempt in second behind Piastri (1m29.640s), who led the session.
Leclerc was third as it was a sad end to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez’s session after he was only 13th with a 1m30.579s lap. Both the Williams cars were knocked out after complaints from Alexander Albon (1m30.474s) with regards to the strategy around his tyres.
He was only 0.024s aloof in missing the Top 10, as teammate Franco Colapinto (1m30.481s) was 12th but was only 0.006s behind Albon. With Perez in 13th, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen (1m30.653s) was 14th and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (1m30.769s) in 15th.
Q3:
The final part of F1 Singapore GP qualifying saw an early red flag when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz crashed out in the final corner after losing control when starting his quick lap. He was behind Piastri who had a time set along with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.
Just behind, it was Verstappen who set a time but it was deleted due to double yellow and subsequent red flag. He could be potentially put under investigation. It was a lengthy delay as the barriers needed to be repaired after the car was towed away.
Sainz was noted for crossing the track on foot. After having waited for some, they headed out again where Norris stomped authority with a 1m29.525s lap to take F1 pole in Singapore GP, with Verstappen bouncing back in second with a 1m29.728s lap.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton not only made it in Q3 but ended up third with a 1m29.841s lap, as teammate Russell made it Mercedes 3-4 in fourth after his 1m29.867s lap. Hulkenberg (1m30.115s) was sixth from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (1m30.214s).
Visa Cash App RB’s Yuki Tsunoda (1m30.354s) was the last car to qualify in eighth after the lap for Leclerc was deleted due to track limits in Turn 2. That made it two Ferrari cars potentially ending up in ninth and 10th.
UPDATE: The stewards have fined Sainz for crossing the track on foot. He is fined a sum of €25,000, of which €12,500 is suspended. The stewards heard from the Spaniard and understood the circumstances of him being closer to the pit entry, but noted that despite the red flag, there were cars circulating or getting into the pits.
The fine is a slightly less than others who received a heavier one. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Singapore%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2055%20-%20Crossing%20the%20track.pdf
In another case, Sainz has been warned for not adhering to the Race Directors’ note about re-joining at Turn 2-3. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Singapore%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2055%20-%20Failure%20to%20follow%20Race%20Director’s%20Instructions.pdf
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