Lando Norris pulled off a spectacular qualifying performance at the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday, securing pole position ahead of title rival Max Verstappen. In an intense session after FP3, Norris edged Verstappen by just .203 of a second.
Norris’ blistering lap time also outpaced seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who will start third for Mercedes after finishing .316 seconds behind the McLaren driver. As the F1 title race heats up, this pole position could be pivotal for Norris, who currently trails Verstappen by 59 points with seven rounds left in the season.
READ MORE: Singapore GP in CHAOS after lizard breaks onto track
This battle for the top spot is just the latest twist in the dramatic 2024 championship. If Norris can convert his pole into a win, it would deliver a major blow to Verstappen’s quest for a fourth world title.
The qualifying session was not without its moments of chaos. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. spun into the wall after what he described as a “big snap” of the steering, likely caused by cold tires. The incident brought the session to a temporary halt as marshals worked to clear the track.
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RED FLAG in Q3 as Carlos Sainz goes flying into the barriers 🚨 pic.twitter.com/2WSiKNQkEQ
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 21, 2024
Sainz, thankfully unhurt, qualified 10th but faces an uphill battle for Sunday’s race. Also, the Singapore GP got an unexpected guest during Free Practice 3. A lizard took centre stage when it sprinted onto the Marina Bay Circuit, forcing marshals to issue a red flag.
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The cheeky reptile caused a scene that had everyone from fans to drivers buzzing ahead of qualifying. Things took a dramatic turn when two-time world champion Fernando Alonso nearly had a scaly close call. As the speedy reptile made its way across the track, Alonso, in the midst of his practice laps, narrowly avoided a collision with the fearless lizard. “It’s in the middle of the track,” he said on the radio.
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