Singapore. The two main rivals for the Formula 1 world title will start the Singapore Grand Prix from the front row of the grid on Sunday. Lando Norris (McLaren) is the front-runner, followed by three-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull). Mexican Sergio Pérez is further behind, down to 13th place.
Norris, who dominated free practice on Friday, confirmed his lead on Saturday and set the best time on the Marina Bay street circuit with 1:29.525, two tenths faster than the Dutchman.
The Mercedes of Britons Lewis Hamilton (1:29.841), who is arriving in Singapore for his 350th career Grand Prix, and George Russell (1:29.867) will occupy the second row of the grid.
“I’ve had a good feeling and confidence in the car since the start of the weekend,” said Norris after the session, who arrives in Singapore 59 points behind Verstappen, so the fight for the championship seems more open than ever.
“The end of qualifying went quite well, we were able to improve the car. When we look at where we were yesterday, this front row is welcome,” said Verstappen, who had been far behind the McLarens in qualifying on Friday and Saturday.
Sunday’s race will once again test the nerves of a Norris who has practically always lost the lead in the race in the first few metres when he signed the pole in the 2024 races.
Verstappen, for his part, will seek to win on an urban track that until now has always eluded him and where he has never climbed to the top of the podium.
McLaren’s second driver, Australian Oscar Piastri, posted the fifth best time (1:29.953) and will share the grid with German Nico Hülkenberg, who surprisingly posted the sixth best time with his Haas (1:30.115).
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– 2024-09-26 15:58:09
