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A tad too little fuel in the rank: Max Verstappen in Singapore
Photo: IMAGO/Simon Galloway / IMAGO/Motorsport Images
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc starts the Singapore Grand Prix from first place on the grid.
In the Formula 1 qualifier on Saturday, the Monegasque came out on top with a time of 1:49.412 minutes, 0.022 seconds ahead of Sergio Pérez in the Red Bull.
Third-placed record world champion Lewis Hamilton was also close behind, just 0.054 seconds behind.
World champion Max Verstappen surprisingly only came in eighth place in the second Red Bull.
The Dutchman was 1.983 seconds behind Leclerc, who was second in the World Championship, but broke off his last fast lap.
As the team later confirmed, he didn't have enough fuel in the tank to complete another lap.
The German pilots got out early
The five-time Singapore winner Sebastian Vettel only drove his Aston Martin in 14th place, Mick Schumacher had to be content with 13th place in the Haas racing car.
For World Cup points, the two Germans still have to improve on Sunday (2 p.m., TV: Sky).
If Verstappen wins the race on Sunday, he can complete his successful title defense early on and become world champion for the second time.
However, he has to keep his main competitor Leclerc and his stable rival Sergio Perez at a distance.
Before the 17th of 22 rounds of the season, Verstappen leads Leclerc with 116 points.
After the Grand Prix, he would need a 138-point lead to triumph.
Otherwise, the decision will be postponed to next week in Japan.
kjo/dpa
