Singapore GP 2024
SEPTEMBER 21, 2024
Qualifying Report - Norris takes pole as Sainz crashes
© McLaren
In a dramatic Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris clinched pole position, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The session was interrupted by a crash involving last year’s winner, Carlos Sainz, who lost control of his Ferrari in Q3.
Sainz spun at Turn 17 while attempting to start a hot lap, sliding into the wall and bringing out the red flags. Verstappen, who had been on a flying lap, briefly held the fastest time with a 1:29.791, but this was quickly deleted as it occurred under double-waved yellow flags due to the crash.
Norris was on a blistering lap himself before the session was stopped, with two purple sectors indicating he might have been on track to take pole earlier. However, the red flag forced him to abandon his attempt. When the session resumed 15 minutes later, all drivers aimed for a final shot on fresh soft tyres.
Oscar Piastri, who was in provisional pole position before the stoppage, set a competitive lap of 1:29.953. However, Norris outpaced his teammate with a stunning 1:29.525 to secure his pole position. Verstappen, though close, managed only second place with a 1:29.728, just 0.203 seconds behind the McLaren driver.
Mercedes made a strong showing, securing the second row. Lewis Hamilton was third with a time of 1:29.841, just 0.026 seconds ahead of teammate George Russell, who clocked in at 1:29.867. This marks a more competitive performance for the Brackley-based team.
Piastri, who looked strong throughout qualifying, will start fifth. Nico Hulkenberg surprised many by delivering an impressive lap for Haas, securing sixth place with a 1:30.115. Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, ended up seventh with a 1:30.214.
Yuki Tsunoda performed solidly, qualifying eighth in his AlphaTauri with a time of 1:30.354, ahead of a frustrated Charles Leclerc. Leclerc’s lap time was deleted, dropping him to ninth position. Ferrari’s woes were compounded by Sainz’s crash, leaving him in tenth.
Further down the grid, Alex Albon narrowly missed out on Q3 by just 0.024 seconds, getting bumped by Fernando Alonso at the last moment. Albon expressed frustration with his team over poor communication regarding tyre preparation. Franco Colapinto, the Williams rookie, also had a strong showing in Q1, placing ninth, but failed to make the cut in Q2, finishing just 0.007 seconds behind his teammate.
Sergio Perez struggled in his Red Bull, managing only 13th, nearly a full second off Verstappen’s pace. He was followed by Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon. Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll both missed out on Q2, while Pierre Gasly and Valtteri Bottas rounded out the field in 18th and 19th, respectively. Bottas’ teammate Zhou Guanyu finished last.
This qualifying session sets the stage for a thrilling Singapore Grand Prix as Norris aims to capitalize on his pole position against the dominant Red Bull team.