Wild crash by Sainz

F1 in Singapore: Qualifying LIVE from 3pm

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton (from left to right)(Bild: AFP/MOHD RASFAN)

McLaren's Lando Norris has snatched the hugely important pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix. He was followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Ferrari man Carlos Sainz caused a moment of shock with a heavy crash in Q3.

Lando Norris starts Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix from pole position! The McLaren driver secured first place on the grid in qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday. In 1:29.525 minutes, the Englishman relegated world champion Max Verstappen to second place (0.203 seconds), which means there will be a direct duel between the two leaders in the championship standings in the race. Qualifying was overshadowed by the accident involving last year's winner Carlos Sainz.

Carlos Sainz crashed into the barrier.(Bild: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

The Ferrari driver lost control of his Ferrari in Q3 and crashed backwards into the barriers. Unlike his car, the Spaniard was uninjured. After the end of the accident-related interruption, the drivers only had time for one more fast lap, which is why there was quite a bit of traffic on the street circuit in the finish. Norris proved that he and his car are hot favourites to win in Singapore. The Englishman claimed his sixth pole ever.

Here is the final result:

Verstappen satisfied
Meanwhile, things went much better for Verstappen on Saturday than in Friday practice, with the championship leader making it onto the front row. "Qualifying went really well for us. I'm really happy about the front row when I look at where we were yesterday," said the Dutchman. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (+0.316) finished third, immediately ahead of his team-mate George Russell (+0.342) and Oscar Piastri in the McLaren (+0.428).

Max Verstappen(Bild: Vincent Thian)

Perez already fails in Q2
Qualifying was disappointing for the second Red Bull driver. Sergio Perez retired in Q2 and had to settle for 13th place on the grid. The Mexican then spoke of tire problems. "It's going to be a pretty difficult race tomorrow, we'll have to think about the strategy," said a disappointed Perez.

In the championship standings, Verstappen defends a 59-point cushion over Norris on Sunday.

McLaren has already been in the lead in the constructors' championship since Baku, with the traditional British racing team 20 points ahead of the 18th of 24 races of the season (2pm/live in the sportkrone.at ticker).

Lizard on the track
Before qualifying, a lizard had caused red flags and an interruption in final practice as the animal crawled across the race track. Track marshals chased the reptile off the asphalt.