Ferrari screw up in Q3
In an eventful qualifying session under the lights at the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore, Lando Norris picked up yet another pole position, seeing off Verstappen while Ferrari dropped the ball right at the end, after promising throughout the Practice sessions.
Here’s a quick recap of the Singapore Grand Prix 2024 qualifying session.
Q1 – No end to Ricciardo’s troubles
McLaren’s Lando Norris set the benchmark time with a 1:30s with Red Bull Max Verstappen a tenth behind. While the top of the grid was as expected, VCARB’s Daniel Ricciardo’s struggles continued.
As the chequered flag fell, it was the former Red Bull driver, Ricciardo missing out once again, with Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly and the two Saubers also failing to make it out of the first qualifying session. Sainz was the only one of the front-of-the grid drivers, who looked like he might miss out but a strong final lap saw him sail through with ease in sixth position.
Drivers eliminated in Q1
Daniel Ricciardo
Lance Stroll
Pierre Gasly
Valtteri Bottas
Zhou Guanyu
Q2 – Pérez misses out once again
Norris was back at it, setting the fastest time in Q2 as well with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri close behind. Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Pérez and Max Verstappen meanwhile all had their moments initially, having their times deleted.
Two-time Singapore Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso put in a solid final flying lap to make it to Q3 while Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg also put in a stellar lap to make it into the final qualifying session. The 2022-winner Sergio Pérez, who has had his recent struggles with consistency, once again had a poor outing in Q2, as the Red Bull driver was eliminated along with both the Williams drivers, Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen.
Drivers eliminated in Q2
Alex Albon
Franco Colapinto
Sergio Pérez
Kevin Magnussen
Esteban Ocon
Q3 – Ferrari mess up; Norris edges out Verstappen
Early on in Q3, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz brought out the red flag early on, as he lost his rear in the final corner and no grip saw the Spaniard crash into the barriers and end the qualifying for last year’s Singapore Grand Prix winner.
Once teams got racing, it was Piastri with the benchmark at 1:29.953s but his teammate put in an even better lap to go four-tenths quicker. Hamilton was three-tenths behind Norris while Verstappen dislodged Hamilton from the front-row, being two-tenths behind Norris. Ferrari, who looked quick throughout all the practice sessions, saw Leclerc have his final lap time deleted, which put him in a disappointing P9.
Starting Grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2024 (before any penalties)
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. George Russell
5. Oscar Piastri
6. Nico Hülkenberg
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Yuki Tsunoda
9. Charles Leclerc
10. Carlos Sainz
11. Alex Albon
12. Franco Colapinto
13. Sergio Pérez
14. Kevin Magnussen
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Daniel Ricciardo
17. Lance Stroll
18. Pierre Gasly
19. Valtteri Bottas
20. Zhou Guanyu
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