As in the Sprint, Max Verstappen was the only driver able to beat the two Ferraris in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix. The Dutch champion edged Charles Leclerc by just 0.054 seconds and Lewis Hamilton by 0.123 seconds, despite being the only front-running driver to complete just one warm-up lap before his flying lap.
The performances from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were undoubtedly positive, with both Ferrari drivers coming within a fraction of pole position. Their pace also reinforces the optimism surrounding Ferrari at Marina Bay, where Lewis Hamilton had several reasons to expect a competitive Singapore Grand Prix.
Both drivers should therefore have an opportunity to play a significant role in Sunday’s race. From a strategic perspective, Ferrari could also benefit from having two cars against one at the front, provided the two SF-26s can remain competitive over the longer runs. The importance of execution has been particularly significant during the Singapore Sprint weekend, where the limited practice time has made preparation even more demanding.
Ferrari team radio after Singapore qualifying
The tiny margins separating Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were immediately clear from Ferrari’s radio communications after qualifying. The differences between their laps and individual sectors can also be explored through the F1 Qualifying Pace & Sector Comparison.
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari team radio
Bryan Bozzi: “And P2. Well done, Charles, nice recovery.”
Charles Leclerc: “F***! I did Turn 13 badly. How much was it? Like two tenths?”
Bryan Bozzi: “Yes, 50 thousandths and Turn 16.”
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari team radio
Lewis Hamilton: “Sorry, guys, I couldn’t go any faster than that.”
Carlo Santi: “Max didn’t improve either, Charles did. The gap to Charles is half a tenth, 60 thousandths. We’re just over a tenth off pole.”
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