Lando Norris secured pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix after a Carlos Sainz-triggered red flag set up a one-lap shootout in Q3. Max Verstappen starts from second with Lewis Hamilton in third.
Norris set a strong early pace in Q1 with team-mate Oscar Piastri a notch behind, but Verstappen was the major surprise of the session, punching in a fastest time that was under two-tenths behind his title rival.
There was no joy for the under-pressure Daniel Ricciardo though. The VCARB driver was only 16th-fastest in what could be his final F1 qualifying session. Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly were also eliminated, while the two Sauber drivers were once again knocked out in Q1.
Verstappen showed more pace in Q2, delivering a strong final lap after his first was scuppered by a major moment at the final corner, but his Red Bull team-mate had no such luck, ending the second qualifying session in P13.
Williams failed to convert the pace demonstrated throughout practice and Q1 with both Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto narrowly missing out on Q2. There was also no place in the top 10 for Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon.
Norris’ first Q1 lap was immediately scuppered when Sainz found the barriers at the final corner, bringing out the red flag.
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