Formula 1

Singapore GP: Sainz storms to pole as both Red Bulls eliminated in Q2

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Carlos Sainz stormed to a second straight pole position in a dramatic qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Spaniard narrowly beat a charging George Russell to give Ferrari their third consecutive pole on the streets of Marina Bay.

But the other big story was Red Bull seeing both cars eliminated in Q2, leaving hopes of maintaining their 100% winning record in 2023 hanging by a thread.

Q1

Lap times were incredibly close with less than four-tenths covering the top 10 and eight-tenths for the top 15 drivers after the first runs.

Carlos Sainz was quickest, less than a tenth ahead of Max Verstappen and teammate Charles Leclerc in third after all completing two flying laps. 

Yuki Tsunoda ultimately ended Q1 fastest as a big crash for Lance Stroll at the final corner meant only a handful of drivers completed a second run on fresh tyres.

The big loser was Oscar Piastri, who was comfortably in the top 10 but had dropped to 17th just as the session was stopped.

Valtteri Bottas sat 16th with Sargeant, who had impeded Stroll earlier in Q1, in 18th. Zhou Guanyu followed in 19th with Stroll in 20th.

Verstappen is also set to be investigated for stopping at the end of the pit lane during the session.

Q2

Russell led the way initially after waiting a little longer to complete his first run with Fernando Alonso jumping upto second.

Sainz improved to finish P1 for Ferrari but the big shock was BOTH Red Bull's being eliminated by Liam Lawson in the AlphaTauri.

Verstappen missed out by just 0.007s in P11 as Sergio Perez spun at Turn 3 and was only 13th.

Pierre Gasly sat 12th for Alpine, Albon was 14th and Tsunoda 15th after being impeded by Verstappen on his first run.

Q3

Sainz led a Ferrari one-two after the first runs in Q3, but Norris was only three-tenths behind in third despite running used tyres on his McLaren.

Carlos went faster again to set a 1m30.984s and secure pole position by just 0.072s as Russell jumped upto second for Mercedes.

Leclerc claimed third ahead of Norris and Hamilton in fifth. Kevin Magnussen was an impressive sixth for Haas followed by Alonso in seventh.

Esteban Ocon took P8 followed by Nico Hulkenberg and Lawson completed the top 10.

Rating:
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