Singapore GP Qualifying: Verstappen’s 50th pole, followed by Ferrari, Hülkenberg before penalty

A flawless performance from Max Verstappen in the thrilling qualifying session for the Singapore Grand Prix: At Marina Bay, following his victory in the Sprint, the Red Bull Racing star stormed to his 50th Formula 1 pole position – his second this season after Bahrain, his second in eight days and, remarkably, his first on the tricky street circuit of the Asian city-state.

For his team, Red Bull Racing, this is their 113th pole position in the premier class and their third at this circuit – the first since Sebastian Vettel in 2013.

Qualifying began with a track temperature of 30 degrees, the circuit at 41 degrees, humidity at 77 per cent, and no rain in sight.

In the first qualifying segment, championship leader Kimi Antonelli was one of the first drivers out on track; the Italian was still searching for the best working window with the upgraded Mercedes.

There had been a lot of work to do for the various teams following the sprint race: both McLarens were damaged, Hadjar suffered gearbox damage, Stroll and Pérez’s cars were damaged, and then, of course, there was Russell’s broken Mercedes.

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After the Anderson Bridge, a Haas driver skidded straight on: “I’ve got no brakes – what’s going on here?” Shortly afterwards, Stroll also skidded straight on. The tyres on both cars were, of course, completely shot. Then Hadjar was driving slowly; the Frenchman had also overbraked. But then the Frenchman was driving very slowly: “The engine’s off!” However, the young Parisian managed to get the car going again.

Lewis Hamilton set the first fast lap, ahead of Norris and Piastri. Hadjar’s problems cost several drivers their first fast lap.

Verstappen snatched the lead from Hamilton, with Antonelli third. Then suddenly, world champion Norris was in the lead, ahead of the second McLaren driven by Piastri. The track’s grip improved significantly.

Then Hadjar was on the radio again: “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, another problem with the gears.” Isack was in the pits, the only driver without a timed lap. Hadjar had to retire.

At the same time, Audi driver Nico Hülkenberg moved up to P5, only to be pipped by Oliver Bearman in the Haas – the American race car performs very well on this track.

Lewis Hamilton clawed his way back into the lead, just ahead of Norris and Antonelli, but Kimi’s lap was disallowed – he’d strayed too far off the track.

Hülkenberg moved up to P5 ahead of Verstappen; at the front, there were suddenly two Ferraris, with Hamilton ahead of Leclerc.

When Q1 came to an end, the following drivers were eliminated early: Alonso in 17th place, followed by Albon, Stroll, Pérez, Bottas and the unfortunate Hadjar.

Top ten after Q1: Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Lawson, Piastri, Hülkenberg, Gasly, Verstappen, Colapinto and Lindblad.

In the second qualifying segment, Antonelli was initially ahead of Russell, but then Lewis Hamilton showed his mettle – faster than Antonelli, Max Verstappen moved up to P3, followed by Russell, Norris, Piastri and Leclerc, with Hülkenberg in the Audi in P10.

Max Verstappen on the radio: “The gear changes when downshifting are absolutely dreadful.”

Norris moved up to second place behind Hamilton, and the leader stepped it up – even faster! The seven-time champion was in magnificent form, watched on by his girlfriend Kim Kardashian.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri had his right rear wheel against the wall, but continued to race through the Singapore night, the car apparently undamaged.

Sprint winner Max Verstappen had the Red Bull Racing car flying – second fastest behind Hamilton!

The top ten, and therefore through to Q3: Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Lawson, Lindblad and Gasly.

Out, however, were: Nico Hülkenberg in 11th place, followed by Bearman, Ocon, Sainz, Bortoleto and Colapinto.

But Hülki faces an uncertain future regarding P11: he is alleged to have hindered Carlos Sainz in Q2 – which would mean a three-place grid penalty.

In the final qualifying session, only Hamilton wasn’t straight out on track. Max Verstappen stood out – he saved a set of soft tyres, which he can then use in the Grand Prix on 11 October.

Some drivers warmed up their tyres over two laps (Russell, Antonelli and Leclerc); this is done to gently bring the tyres up to temperature.

Verstappen, on the other hand, set off after just one warm-up lap and took the lead with a fine lap, two tenths faster than Hamilton in Q2.

Norris messed up the final sector, finishing P3 behind Leclerc. Then came Hamilton’s challenge to Verstappen – but the Ferrari star fell short, 133 thousandths behind. Then Antonelli moved up to P3 ahead of Leclerc.

On his final set of soft Pirelli tyres, Leclerc moved up to P2, ahead of Hamilton, but no one could match Max Verstappen’s time – not even Max himself.