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Singapore surprise

Singapore surprise

Dramatic Singapore Grand Prix qualifying saw Red Bulls knocked out from Q3 as Carlos Sainz takes pole

 

SINGAPORE, Singapore–The starting grid for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 was surprising, to say the least—no one could have placed a winning bet on the outcome. Q1 saw an unexpected result with Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri topping the time sheets. Sergio Perez of Red Bull came in P2 while Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg took P3. Just before the end of Q1, a red flag was flown after Lance Stroll crashed his Aston Martin heavily at Turn 19.

This stoppage meant that  Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo, Logan Sargeant (Williams), Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) were not able to improve on their times and were subsequently dropped from participating any further. The biggest story in Q2 was Max Verstappen failing to move on to Q3. The flying Dutchman was only able to get P11. Max was visibly not happy with his performance and was inconsolable. Also out was Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez, who could only manage P13. The Red Bull duo was joined by Pierre Gasly (Alpine) in P12, Alexander Albon (Williams) in P14 and Yuki Tsunoda in P15.

In the first few minutes of Q3 it was Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in P1 and P2, making it an all-Ferrari provisional front row. Lando Norris (McLaren) was in P3, then came the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. But in the closing seconds,  George Russell pipped Charles Leclerc for P2, with Lando Norris coming in P4. Hamilton could only manage P5. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Nico Hulkenber (Haas), and Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri) taking up the remaining grid slots.

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New Zealand’s Liam Lawson is set for a superb Formula 1 debut with his stunning qualifying performance. Lawson is a reserve driver for both Orace Red Bull and Scuderia AlphaTauri. Pole-sitter Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has a good shot at winning the night race. Sainz said: “That would feel amazing, and that’s the target. Try to get the win tomorrow (tonight), I’ll give it everything like I did in Monza and hopefully tomorrow it’s enough.”

The running order could still change as Max Verstappen is under investigation for impeding another driver during qualifying. But one thing is for sure, this race will be nothing but exciting.