Carlos Sainz took back-to-back F1 pole in Singapore GP by 0.072s from George Russell, with Charles Leclerc in third.
Q1:
It was hectic first part of F1 Singapore GP qualifying under the floodlights at Marina Bay Circuit. A pack of drivers set their laps later than the earlier pack ahead of the final runs. A possible impeding from Williams’ Logan Sargeant against Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was put under investigation by the stewards.
The session under red flag after a heavy shunt for Stroll who was trying to get out of Q1. He ended up 20th and last with a 1m33.397s lap as AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda led the way with a 1m31.991s lap when others couldn’t get a lap in due to the red flag.
He was ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg in the Top 3 with AlphaTauri’s Liam Lawson was fourth. The drop zone had Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas in 16th with a 1m32.809s lap from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (1m32.902s).
The Australian was big fish to be knocked out in Q1 without the updates on his car. His lap was slightly hampered after he had to avoid Stroll’s car. Williams’ Logan Sargeant (1m33.252s) was 18th eventually with Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu (1m33.258s) 19th and Stroll 20th.
Q2:
As the marshals were clearing Stroll’s car, the second part of F1 Singapore GP qualifying was delayed and a message played up about Red Bull’s Max Verstappen being put under investigation for impeding in the pitlane after he stopped to get a clear track ahead.
The FIA noted about several cars being noted for impeding between Turn 16 and Turn 19. After a delay, the session got going, Verstappen had another impeding noted against AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda with the Japanese driver livid with the situation.
He couldn’t even set a time on his first run as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz ended up on top with a 1m31.439s lap ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. But it was a shocker in the dropzone with Verstappen (1m32.173s) getting knocked out in 11th.
The Dutchman missed out Q3 for the first time this season by 0.007s after Lawson improved late to make it in. Red Bull’s misery got worse with Sergio Perez only 13th after his 1m32.310s lap. The Mexican spun around at Turn 1-2 and couldn’t get his final lap.
He finished behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (1m32.374s) with Williams’ Alexander Albon (1m33.147s) 14th and Tsunoda in 15th where the Japanese driver did not get a lap in. Just after the session, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was noted for failing to slow under yellow flag but they cleared it as well.
Q3:
The final part in F1 Singapore GP qualifying at Marina Bay saw Ferrari’s Sainz set the pace with a 1m31.170s lap to lead teammate Leclerc and McLaren’s Norris in the Top 3. They were ahead of the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the Top 5.
The final run was hectic but Sainz improved on his lap time to a 1m30.984s lap to secure a back-to-back pole in F1 Singapore GP. Russell came close but ended up 0.072s behind with a 1m31.056s lap, with Leclerc (1m31.063s) a further 0.009s behind in third.
Norris (1m31.270s) was fourth from Hamilton (1m31.485s) with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen (1m31.575s). doing a solid run in sixth from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (1m31.615s), who was only seventh. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (1m31.673s) was eighth from Hulkenberg (1m31.808s), with Lawson (1m32.268s) in 10th.
UPDATE: Sargeant has been handed a reprimand for impeding Stroll where Williams have been fined €5,000 for not informing the American about the Canadian. The FIA also noted about Aston Martin representative not being present in the meet.Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Singapore%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%202%20-%20Impeding%20of%20Car%2018.pdf
Verstappen, meanwhile, too has been handed a reprimand for impeding in the pitlane where he waited for at least 14 seconds in order to create a gap. The car behind could have overtaken but it is expected that no car should wait for so long on the fast lane like that which is why the Dutchman is guilty of it. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Singapore%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%201%20-%20Impeding%20at%20Pit%20Exit.pdf
On the case of Verstappen impeding Tsunoda, the Dutchman has been handed a reprimand as he was quite late in moving aside. It was due to the fact that Red Bull informed him late which is why the team has been fined €5,000. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Singapore%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%201%20-%20Impeding%20of%20Car%2022.pdf
There was a third impeding case against Verstappen which was referred and checked where the Dutchman seemingly impeded Sargeant. But the American noted that he didn’t as the Red Bull driver stated about cars overtaking him left and right which is why he stuck to the racing line to avoid a collision. Therefore, it was adjudged as no further action. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Singapore%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Decision%20-%20Car%201%20-%20Alleged%20impeding%20of%20Car%202.pdf
