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Lando Norris Edges Out Max Verstappen for Pole in Singapore

Lando Norris continued his underdog 2024 Drivers’ Championship campaign with another pole, this time during Saturday’s (Sept. 21) qualifying for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen was able to continue his damage control in the latter half of the season by qualifying second, seemingly denying Norris another load of points as he looks to hang on to the points lead and claim his fourth consecutive title.

Teams struggled throughout the session over a lack of grip from tires. The streets were also unusually variable, with the track changing radically from the start and end of each round.

Lewis Hamilton took third on the grid.

“I’m happy to be on the front row,” Verstappen said in the podium interviews. “With where we were yesterday. Q3 was tough, of course your lap gets cancelled with the double yellow, then everybody only has one run, so you don’t want to overdo it… I’ll take second.”

Norris, however, didn’t act like he had issues with Q3.

“I like [only one run in qualifying],” said Norris. “It gets your heart rate going and it’s good fun. My lap wasn’t as good as it was previous to the red flag, so there’s always that little bit more in it.

“The car’s been feeling good, and when you have a good feeling car and you’re confident, you can go out and push. You can go out and get the laptime.”

See also
Slipstream Saturdays: Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the Same Side?

Q3

With 8 minutes to go in the session, Carlos Sainz spun out entering turn 18 and stalled out in the barriers.

Sainz was able to get up and walk away but didn’t get a lap in. The defending Singapore winner qualified 10th and may start lower depending on a possible engine penalty.

Charles Leclerc’s track-limits violation deleted his lone flying lap time, so it was not a good day for Ferrari.

Pos.Driver No.DriverTeamTime from Leader
1.4Lando NorrisMcLaren Mercedes1:29:525m
2.1Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT+0.203s
3.44Lewis HamiltonMercedees+0.316s
4.63George RussellMercedes+0.342s
5.81Oscar PiastriMcLaren Mercedes+0.428s
6.27Nico HulkenbergHaas Ferrari+0.590s
7.14Fernando AlonsoAston Martin Aramco Mercedes+0.689s
8.22Yuki TsunodaRB Honda RBPT+0.829s
9.16Charles LeclercFerrariN/A
10.55Carlos SainzFerrariN/A

Q2

Pos.Driver No.DriverTeamTime from Advancing
11.23Alexander AlbonWilliams Mercedes+0.024s
12.43Franco ColapintoWilliams Mercedes+0.031s
13.11Sergio PerezRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT+0.129s
14.20Kevin MagnussenHaas Ferrari+0.203s
15.31Esteban OconAlpine Renault+0.319s
See also
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Q1

In potentially the final weekend in his F1 career amid rumors that he might be replaced for Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo came less than a blink of an eye from advancing.

Pos.Driver No.DriverTeamTime from Advancing
16.3Daniel RicciardoRB Honda RBPT+0.127s
17.18Lance StrollAston Martin Aramco Mercedes+0.136s
18.10Pierre GaslyAlpine Renault+0.314s
19.77Valtteri BottasKICK Sauber Ferrari+0.614s
20.24Zhou GuanyuKICK Sauber Ferrari+1.096s

2024 F1 Singapore Qualifying Results

The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix will be the last stop on the F1 calendar for almost a full month. Lights out in Singapore will come at 8:00 a.m. ET, with coverage on ESPN2.

About the author

Michael has watched NASCAR for 20 years and regularly covered the sport from 2013-2021, and also formerly covered the SRX series from 2021-2023. He now covers the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and road course events in the NASCAR Cup Series.

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