Several surprises during qualifying for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix this Saturday. The tricky weather conditions allowed Pierre Gasly to obtain an unexpected result. Esteban Ocon, on the other hand, suffered a brake problem which eliminated him in the first phase. Max Verstappen lost pole position because his team miscalculated the amount of fuel needed knowing that it was necessary to multiply the number of laps on a drying track.
Top 10 for Pierre Gasly
Often in difficulty on a dry track during free practice, Pierre Gasly adapted well to the wet conditions to take a fine 7th position. A good result for the Normand so often excluded from Q3 this season (10 times in 16 GP) at the wheel of his poorly performing AlphaTauri in 2022. He will try to convert this good place on the starting grid by obtaining points tomorrow in race. His teammate Tsunoda will start in 10th position.
Brake problem for Esteban Ocon
Opposite feeling for Esteban Ocon, modest 18th when he had a very good pace during the three free practice sessions since the first laps on the Marina Bay circuit. The Ebroïcien driver was confronted with brake failure on his final flying lap in Q1. Major problem on this urban route made up of several heavy braking operations with no clearance on the sides. Fernando Alonso’s other Alpine finished 5th, proof of the speed of the French single-seater in Singapore.
Leclerc on pole, Verstappen on fire
Charles Leclerc placed his Ferrari in pole position, ahead of Perez (Red Bull) and Hamilton (Mercedes). The Monegasque driver took advantage of an error by the Red Bull team which did not put enough petrol in Max Verstappen’s car to allow him to chain the fast laps on the drying track (therefore offering improved grip over the minutes). The world champion was well ahead in the intermediate times when he had to pit before he could complete his last lap. Which really pissed him off!
The start of the Singapore Grand Prix will be given this Sunday at 2 p.m. Max Verstappen could win his second world title if he manages an exceptional comeback, but a priori impossible on this track which is not conducive to overtaking.