Incredible end to qualifying this Saturday in Singapore.
While he seemed able to take pole position, Max Verstappen, during his last attempt, was not allowed to go to the end by his team who ordered him to return to the pits.
The reason ?
The defending champion's Red Bull risked running out of fuel.
An incident that enraged the Dutchman even if, when coming to comment on this unusual incident, the Dutchman had calmed down, speaking only of his “
frustration about something that should have been avoided.
»
To discover
Formula 1: the calendar for the 2022 season
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
The misfortune of the Dutchman made the happiness of Charles Leclerc, author of the best time of the blow in front of Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton.
The Monegasque, 2nd in the championship 116 points behind Verstappen, will start ahead of the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and the Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) for this 17th race out of 22 this season, at night on Sunday at the Marina Bay circuit.
Spaniards Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Alpine) will be fourth and fifth on the starting grid for the first Grand Prix in Asia after two seasons of absence due to the pandemic.
On a drying track, after heavy rains during the day on Saturday on the Singapore skyscrapers, this qualification was very tricky for the pilots.
And the decisive tire choices.
“
Qualifying was very, very tricky.
In Q3
(last part of qualifying, editor's note),
we didn't know what to do, we opted for the soft tire at the last moment
, ”explained Leclerc.
It is the 9th pole of the year for the Ferrari driver, more than any other driver, and the 18th of his career at 24 years old.
"
I made a mistake on my last lap so I didn't think I would get pole but it was enough in the end
," he added.
Even starting 8th, Verstappen preserves his first chance of title in the city-state.
In the event of victory, Verstappen must cross his fingers that Leclerc finishes ninth or above and Pérez fourth or above (without getting the fastest lap point) - or fifth if the Mexican has the fastest lap point.
If he wins with the fastest lap point, Verstappen would even be titled if Leclerc finishes eighth, and Pérez fourth.
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