Max Verstappen after setting the fastest time in F1 Sprint qualifying: Will he lose pole position?

Right from the start of the sprint qualifying session, Max Verstappen made it clear that he would be a force to be reckoned with on the Singapore street circuit too. The Red Bull Racing high-flyer, who won the most recent race in Malaysia, set the fastest time in SQ1. He covered the 4.927 km in 1:22.477, putting him 18 thousandths of a second ahead of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

In the middle section of the qualifying session, the four-time world champion then settled for the fourth-fastest lap, whilst Leclerc climbed to the top of the timesheets. Sandwiched between the Monegasque and the Dutchman were Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari and world champion Lando Norris in the McLaren. Verstappen was more than two-tenths of a second slower than the leader.

Penalty looms – but will Leclerc still take pole?

But when it really mattered, the 72-time Grand Prix winner was once again the benchmark. With a time of 1:31.156, he managed to outshine everyone else. His closest challenger, George Russell, was 0.12 seconds slower. Leclerc slotted into third place, though he could still inherit pole position. This is because Verstappen faces a grid penalty for overtaking Hamilton under yellow flags. The 29-year-old will therefore have to explain himself to the stewards. And because Russell will also be penalised – he is racing with new engine components that exceed the permitted allocation – Leclerc could end up being the one who benefits.

Verstappen did not appear concerned when he sat down for his first interview with David Coulthard after qualifying. He explained: “We’ve been significantly stronger in recent races than before, but this circuit still highlights a few of our weaknesses. Nevertheless, we were still able to be as quick as possible.”

“I hadn’t expected that,” the Red Bull Racing star also admitted, emphasising: “It’s like driving in a sauna here, like training in a sauna; it’s always very hot and you feel it all over your body. That’s why you try to cool down as much as possible between stints. But of course you notice it – in your head as well as in your body – everything gets warm, especially when you stop in the car; it feels like a hot flush. However, that’s one of the factors that makes this race special, and in a way, we love it too.”

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