SINGAPORE: In a surprising flip of occasions on the Marina Bay Road Circuit, Carlos Sainz of Ferrari clinched his second consecutive pole place, leaving Pink Bull shocked and struggling to clear the Q2 stage throughout Singapore Grand Prix qualifying.
Sainz, who had hoped for a powerful displaying from Pink Bull after a lacklustre Friday, watched as their troubles deepened. Sergio Perez’s spin-out in Q2 and Max Verstappen’s lack of ability to search out the required tempo for a top-10 end left the staff reeling.
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A heart-stopping second occurred when Lance Stroll emerged unscathed from a serious collision within the late levels of Q1. The incident led to a purple flag and a short lived halt in proceedings.
Logan Sargeant, donning the distinctive Gulf livery on the Williams, led the preliminary cost as qualifying commenced. Verstappen’s early look on the observe alongside teammate Sergio Perez hinted at Pink Bull’s considerations.
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The preliminary benchmark set by Sargeant at 1:35.098 was shortly surpassed, with Norris within the upgraded McLaren outpacing each Pink Bulls. Leclerc briefly secured the highest spot, intently adopted by Perez, within the early levels of the session.
George Russell, driving Mercedes, entered the race, outpacing Leclerc with a time of 1:32.478. In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton discovered himself in fifth place.
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In Q1, there was lower than 0.15 seconds separating the highest 5. A near-miss involving Esteban Ocon and the wall added to the strain. Nevertheless, Stroll’s subsequent lack of management and a devastating collision with the wall introduced Q1 to an abrupt finish. Stroll, fortuitously unhurt, joined Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri Bottas, Logan Sargeant, and Oscar Piastri within the Q1 elimination.
Following a delay for observe cleanup and barrier repairs, Q2 commenced. Verstappen shortly set the tempo earlier than Kevin Magnussen of Haas overtook him. The Ferrari drivers and Norris additional pushed Verstappen down the order.
Fernando Alonso’s spectacular run, regardless of being on new gentle tires, noticed him declare the highest spot quickly. Nevertheless, Russell’s formidable effort on the softs propelled him to P1. Verstappen’s struggles continued, and a spin by Sergio Perez sealed Pink Bull’s destiny, with each drivers eradicated.
Additionally Learn: Singapore GP: Ferrari Dominates FP2 at Marina Bay as Pink Bull Falters
