(Singapore) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen looked destined to earn the lead position heading into the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix when his team ended its final lap on Saturday with seconds to go at the last qualifying session, thus ensuring Charles Leclerc, on Ferrari, to start first on Sunday.
Posted at 10:18 a.m.
Updated at 10:38 a.m.
Verstappen will start from eighth place, but he won the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this season after starting in 14e position on the grid.
Verstappen held a comfortable lead over Leclerc at split time, but it could be a good call from Red Bull if it turns out the Dutchman was about to slip below the minimum fuel limit, which could explain the decision.
PHOTO EDGAR SU, REUTERS
Max Verstappen driving his Red Bull during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix
Drivers can be disqualified if they don’t have enough fuel in the tank.
Leclerc signed a ninth leading position in 2022, a season high. He was ahead of Sergio Perez (Red Bull) by 22 thousandths of a second, and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) by 54 thousandths of a second.
The Quebecer Lance Stroll, on Aston Martin, will start from the 12e place, two boxes ahead of his teammate Sebastian Vettel.
“Change for [pneus] slicks ahead of the second qualifying session was a risk today, but it looked like it would be the right call,” Stroll said in a statement from Aston Martin.
“However, I had a lock-up in turn 16, where [la piste] was still soggy. I still believe it was the right thing to do,” Stroll added.
Despite his 12e place on the starting grid, Stroll shows confidence in view of the race on Sunday.
“We have a good pace to be able to fight for points tomorrow, and I have confidence that we will be in the fight for a place in the top 10. »