In a thrilling Singapore GP Qualifying, Carlos Sainz secured pole position for the second time in a row, with a time of 1:30.984, just 0.072s ahead of George Russell in the Mercedes.
Meanwhile, Red Bull had a disastrous night as both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were eliminated in Q2, dashing their hopes of extending their unprecedented 15-race winning streak.
Verstappen’s RB19 has not been performing up to its usual standards around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, and during his final Q2 effort, he had a moment at Turn Three, while Perez spun out at the same corner.
Both drivers were heard venting their frustration over team radio and stormed away from the pit lane.
Verstappen was also investigated for three separate blocking incidents but ultimately escaped with two reprimands for his actions in Q1 and Q2.
The stewards found no further wrongdoing in the third case as Verstappen was deemed to have “not unnecessarily impeded” Logan Sargeant amid a group of cars backing up through the final corners towards the end of Q1.
Lando Norris secured fourth place in the upgraded McLaren, finishing just a quarter of a second behind Sainz’s pole time.
Lewis Hamilton will start alongside Norris in fifth place. Kevin Magnussen put on a great performance to secure sixth place for Haas, ahead of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin and Esteban Ocon’s Alpine. Nico Hulkenberg secured ninth place in the second Haas.
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Liam Lawson made it through to Q3 for the first time, ultimately knocking Verstappen out of qualifying and securing a starting position of 10th.
Unfortunately, the first part of qualifying came to an abrupt end due to a huge crash by Lance Stroll at the final corner.
Thankfully, the Canadian driver was able to walk away from his heavily damaged Aston Martin and was cleared to return to the paddock by the on-site medical team.
Ferrari had been looking like the favourites for pole position after topping all three practice sessions, and Sainz continued his impressive form by securing his first back-to-back pole positions of his career.
He had been on provisional pole after the first runs in Q3 and improved on his second run, though an ordinary middle sector had left the door open for those behind.
Ultimately, Charles Leclerc could not find enough speed to catch Sainz, finishing 0.079s behind the pole-sitter.
Russell also had a strong showing but ultimately had to settle for a spot between the two Ferrari cars.
