Formula 1 News: Norris nips Verstappen for Singapore GP pole

The two drivers battling for the 2024 F1 drivers titles will start 1st and 2nd for the 2024 Singapore GP around the Marina Bay Street Circuit with Lando Norris topping Max Verstappen

–By Mark Cipolloni–

Norris turned a lap of 1m29.525 in his superior McLaren to beat Verstappen’s diabolical Red Bull by 0.203s setting up a battle to get the lead into Turn 1 first.

“It was tough, especially through qualifying I was finding it a little difficult to progress much and find lap time,” said Norris.

“One lap at the end was good enough for pole so happy with that. We got the job done.

“It got the heart rate going, it was good fun. There was more in it, but the car is feeling good, which makes you confident to go out and push.”

Despite his teammate Sergio Perez getting knocked out in Q2, Verstappen was happy with his effort.

“I think the whole of qualifying went quite well, we managed to improve the car run after run. I’m happy to be on the front row when you look at where we were yesterday. I’ll take second, I’m happy with that,” said Verstappen.

“Tires can give you a lot of lap time or lose you a lot of lap time, but for us today in qualifying it worked quite well for us. In Singapore, a lot of things can happen, but at least we have a shot at it starting like this.”

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will start on the second row, 0.316s and 0.342s behind Norris respectively.

“Ah man, qualifying has been a disaster for me all year long,” said Hamilton.

“I’ve been working and working and working to get myself back up there. And then the car came alive for me. There was a tiny bit more left in the car but I’m happy with that.

“We’ve changed everything on balance, moving up and down and the mechanics have been flawless so thank you to them for everything.

“I think with [tire] management we can maybe keep up with these guys, we’ll give it everything.”

Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren rounded out the top-5, 0.428s behind teammate Norris.

Norris on pole is no real surprise, but what a turnaround by Red Bull to get Verstappen onto the front row. And the same can be said for Mercedes, who were nowhere yesterday.

Piastri won’t be happy with his lap for fifth, ahead of a delighted Hulkenberg.

Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda share the fourth row, and what a tale of woe for Ferrari, ninth for Charles Leclerc, P10 for Carlos Sainz Jr.and no time on the board for either of them after Sainz crashed into the barriers on the final corner.

Norris and Verstappen share the front row, barrelling down to Turn 1 side by side… then you have Mercedes possibly interfering in the title fight, especially if they get in the middle of those two and then prove difficult to pass.

Ferrari has a recovery job on their hands, as does Perez from P13 on the grid. Storylines up and down the field, with Ricciardo also looking for a strong result – just in case.

2024 Singapore GP Qualifying Results