Yahoo News F1 qualifying LIVE: Charles Leclerc on pole for Singapore GP with furious Max Verstappen aborting final lap
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc took pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix with a fuming Max Verstappen only eighth. In drying conditions Verstappen, who has his first shot of securing back-to-back titles, appeared to be on course to take pole with his final throw of the dice.
But the Red Bull driver was under instruction from his team to abort his final lap due to a fuel issue, and he will start Sunday’s race way down the order. Sergio Perez took second in the other Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton third - less than a tenth of a second off pole.
Verstappen, who has a 116-point lead, will be crowned champion in Singapore if he wins and sets the fastest lap, and team-mate Perez and Ferrari’s Leclerc finish lower than fourth and eighth respectively.
Hamilton missed out on pole by just 0.054 seconds but the seven-time world champion is set to face further action from the stewards for taking part in qualifying with his nose stud in. Hamilton wore the offending item of jewellery during practice and was summoned to see the stewards ahead of qualifying.
Follow all the action live with The Independent - the race starts
F1 Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying
Charles Leclerc is on pole for the Singapore GP with a fuming Max Verstappen told to abort his final lap
Perez 2nd; Hamilton 3rd; Sainz 4th; Alonso 5th; Verstappen 8th
George Russell knocked out in Q2, also out: Stroll, Schumacher, Vettel, Zhou
Daniel Ricciardo knocked out of Q1, also out: Bottas, Ocon, Albon, Latifi
SINGAPORE GP PREVIEW: Max Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached cost-cap rules
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc claims pole in Singapore as Max Verstappen finishes only eighth
15:51 , Kieran Jackson
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc took pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix with a fuming Max Verstappen only eighth. In drying conditions, Verstappen, who has his first shot of securing back-to-back titles, appeared to be on course to take pole with his final throw of the dice.
But the Red Bull driver was under instruction from his team to abort his final lap due to a fuel issue, and he will start Sunday’s race way down the order. Sergio Perez took second in the other Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton third.
Verstappen will be crowned champion if he wins and sets the fastest lap, and team-mate Perez and Ferrari’s Leclerc finish lower than fourth and eighth respectively.
But the Dutch driver, who holds a 116-point lead, faces an improbable task of taking the championship under the lights of the Marina Bay Circuit given his lowly grid slot.
Hamilton missed out on pole by just 0.054 seconds but the seven-time world champion is set to face further action from the stewards for taking part in qualifying with his nose stud in.
Hamilton wore the offending item of jewellery during practice and was summoned to see the stewards ahead of qualifying. But the 37-year-old could be seen wearing the piercing as he conducted his post-qualifying interview moments after stepping out of his Mercedes.
Charles Leclerc claims pole in Singapore as Max Verstappen finishes only eighth
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton...
15:50 , Kieran Jackson
“Such a challenge. We made some changes overnight, as soon as I saw we were fighting for the front row I thought it was on today. That’s the closest hope I’ve had this year for a front row. To be half-a-tenth off is gutting as I know there was half-a-tenth out on track.
On the nose stud: “It got infected. I went back to the clinic and they said I should keep it in. For me it’s a health part, that’s the way it’s going to stay. And they’re [FIA] going to have to deal with it.”
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: George Russell...
15:36 , Kieran Jackson
“Struggling something with the brakes and the engine in FP1, it felt like throttle in the corners when I didn’t have throttle.
“I just couldn’t get round any corners. Such a shame, I don’t think we’d have been better in Q3 - it’s one of those things, really frustrating. We definitely need to do something. Disappoinitng for the whole team.
“Encouraging weekend but encouraging but doesn’t mean anything, we need to score points. It’s a shame not to be fighting for where we want to be, in top-3.”
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Max Verstappen...
15:32 , Kieran Jackson
“We ran out of fuel, incredibly frustrating and it shouldn’t happen. We should have seen that way earlier - not happy at all at the moment. Of course it’s a team effort - but it’s never acceptable, we learn from it, but this is really bad. It shouldn’t happen.
“It’s a bit like Monaco, super hard to pass. I’m not in the mood to think about the race tomorrow - at the moment I’m super frustrated about what just happened. I go back to the hotel and think about other stuff...”
Not happy is he...
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Toto Wolff...
15:30 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s a shame, we had a problem which came back in qualifying which was torque following. He didn’t have the equipment today.
“Tomrorow depends where you are after the start, if you’re not ahead than it’s going to be difficult.
“I think we were hoping this weekend would go well, the direction we have developed towards is correct. Generally it seems we are heading towards the right direction, especially for next year.
“Dry race would be good, rain could be a bit of mayhem. Whatever comes...
“The ambition needs to be to win it but we also need to be careful with our expectations. We thought we could make pole but we couldn’t quite get there. He locked the wheels in the last sector and lost loads of performance which would’ve been pole.”
On Hamilton’s piercing: “I lost track of piercings and stuff. Let’s see what the stewards say.
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: What happened to Max Verstappen?
15:18 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull’s data showed that he would have finished that lap on pole! However, the team needed to have a fuel sample! Christian Horner tells Sky that they just couldn’t take the chance not to have the one litre of fuel back in the tank. Failing the FIA test would have put Verstappen at the back of the grid...
The World Championship leader will start in P8. It sets up a fascinating race tomorrow at Marina Bay!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Tomorrow’s starting grid!
15:12 , Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Sergio Perez
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Carlos Sainz
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Lando Norris
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Max Verstappen
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Yuki Tsunoda
11. George Russell
12. Lance Stroll
13. Mick Schumacher
14. Sebastian Vettel
15. Guanyu Zhou
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Daniel Ricciardo
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Alex Albon
20. Nicholas Latifi
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton...
15:09 , Kieran Jackson
“I was pushing so hard, it was so close. I thought with a perfect lap we could be fighting for first place. I just didn’t have the grip in that last lap. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
“We didn’t know how close we would be this weekend, stronger than Monza. It’s OK - we just get up and fight again tomorrow.”
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Sergio Perez...
15:08 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s a good opportunity tomorrow to attack Charles tommorow. Disappointing to miss sout on pole by 0.022 seconds.
“It was so tricky to learn the conditions today, could be wet again tomorrow.”
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc:
15:07 , Kieran Jackson
“It was a very tricky qualifying. We want for the softs at the last minute but it paid off. I did a mistake in my last lap but it was just enough for pole.
“Every qualifying on street tracks are on the limit but overall it was a clean lap.”
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc on pole!
15:03 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc has nicked pole position at Marina Bay! Max Verstappen was on for first spot but then pits at the final corner - he was told to pit by his engineer. Why?! He starts in EIGHTH!
Frantic end to qualifying, with the track constantly drying. Sergio Perez is second and Lewis Hamilton is third, 0.054 seconds behind Leclerc - so so close!
“What the f*** are you guys saying, unbelievable mate, what the f*** is this about?!” - a fuming Max Verstappen.
Christian Horner replies: “We’ll tell you in a minute.”
Perhaps the car didn’t have enough fuel in the car for the prerequisite sample...
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 2:00 left in Q3
14:59 , Kieran Jackson
Hamilton is still on provisional pole in Singapore - he’s 0.376 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen! Sergio Perez is in third, 0.728 seconds off Hamilton, while Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are fourth and fifth respecitvely...
6-10: Alonso, Norris, Tsunoda, Gasly, Magnussen
Can Hamilton claim his first pole of the year, in round 17 of the 2022 season?!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 5:00 left in Q3
14:55 , Kieran Jackson
Engrossing stuff here - Lewis Hamilton goes quickest on softs - by TWO SECONDS! Yuki Tsunoda is the man in second too, on intermediates!
Charles Leclerc third, Max Verstappen fourth and Lando Norris fifth. The gap from Hamilton-Norris is 5.4 seconds though!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Q3 is underway!
14:50 , Kieran Jackson
So, how will the track evolve in the next 12 minutes to make it suitable for slick tyres? Most cars out on soft tyres at the beginning here!
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari was prepped with intermediates, before the man himself insisted they switch to softs! His team-mate Sainz on softs...
Kevin Magnussen and Yuki Tsunoda, however, are on intermediates. So, who will be on pole in Singapore?!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Q2 DONE!
14:44 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell is out in Q2! He’s 0.006 seconds from 10th, held by Kevin Magnussen. A shocker for the Mercedes man there...
Looks like the track isn’t quite ready for slicks, with the Astons and Zhou both struggling. Terrific session for the AlphaTauris though, with Gasly and Tsunoda both through to the top-10 shootout. Sebastian Vettel went straight on at turn 7 as he struggled to control his Aston Martin on soft tyres.
Out of qualifying, 11-15: Russell, Stroll, Schumacher, Vettel, Zhou
Russell: “Sorry guys I really sturggled, exactly the same problem as FP1. What a shame!”
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 2:00 left in Q2!
14:40 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell in potential trouble here in Q2 - on inters he is only P7, four-tenths ahead of P11.
Incidentally, Zhou Guanyu has also switched to soft tyres. Just the Alfa Romeo and both Aston Martins on slicks then...
Current 11-15: Vettel, Schumacher, Magnussen, Zhou, Tsunoda
Will there be any change to that order? Pierre Gasly the man in danger at the moment in P10.
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 6:00 left in Q2!
14:36 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc leads the way at the moment, 0.380 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, with Sergio Perez third and Carlos Sainz fourth.
Lewis Hamilton in fifth, George Russell currently in the 11-15 dangerzone.
Current 11-15: Schumacher, Magnussen, Zhou, Russell, Tsunoda
Leclerc wanted to box for slicks but Ferrari put inters on his car. Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel, the Aston Martins, DO switch to slicks though! Fascinating few minutes ahead...
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Q2 underway!
14:30 , Kieran Jackson
Who will make it into the top-10 shootout in Singapore this afternoon? Charles Leclerc - who was on pole the last time F1 was in Singapore in 2019 - notes that the track is drying out quickly... will there be any slick tyres used in this session?
All 15 cars out on inters for the time being at Marina Bay! Will we get any surprise names in the final 10?
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Q1 DONE!
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
Daniel Ricciardo out in Q1 once again - he is 0.3 seconds short of his team-mate Lando Norris who finished P15! Esteban Ocon also a surprise name out in Q1 in the Alpine! Mick Schumahcer pulled a quick lap out right at the end to sneak into Q2...
Knocked out of qualifying, 16-20: Bottas, Ricciardo, Ocon, Albon, Latifi
At the top, Verstappen was fastest with Hamilon in second and Sainz in third.
Q2 coming right up...
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 2:00 left in Q1
14:17 , Kieran Jackson
Both Haas drivers get themselves out of the bottom-five but the track is speeding up now, so there’s still a chance for those in the danger-zone.
Current 16-20: Gasly, Vettel, Tsunoda, Albon, Latifi
All 20 drivers, unsurprisingly given the drier conditions, are now out on the track at Marina Bay!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 8:00 left in Q1
14:13 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen leads the way with Lewis Hamilton 0.2 seconds off and Charles Leclerc 0.6 seconds off P1. Sainz 4th, Stroll 5th, Russell 6th.
Everyone still on inters, but we’re getting close to slick tyres here. Track is drying out pretty quickly - maybe the field will switch by Q2.
Fernando Alonso is the man hovering in P15 at the moment - currently in the Q1 danger-zone of 16-20: Latifi, Bottas, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Schumacher.
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Q1 begins!
14:02 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are the first cars out on track in Q1, on the intermediate tyres to start with! Are they expecting rain at some time in this session, so getting out there quick is more important?
Incidentally, remember Hamilton’s jewelery row from earlier in the season? Well, he has been summoned to the stewards as he looks to be back wearing his nose stud in Singapore! No indication of any penalties as of yet.
Anyway, for now to action on track, as the drivers look to see where they can find grip around what is still a wet track...
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: 5 minutes until qualifying at Marina Bay!
13:55 , Kieran Jackson
It’s not raining in Singapore so looks like we’re all set for qualifying at 2pm around this terrific 23-turn Marina Bay street circuit!
Can Lewis Hamilton record his first pole position of the season, after topping first practice yesterday, or is it all set up for Red Bull and Max Verstappen on a weekend where he can win his second World Championship?
Q1 starting shortly!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce F1 regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach
13:44 , Kieran Jackson
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has demanded Formula One’s governing body the FIA take robust action over reports Red Bull broke the rules when Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s world championship.
On the eve of the Singapore Grand Prix – a race which could see Verstappen secure his second title in as many seasons – his controversial maiden triumph is under the microscope amid allegations his Red Bull team overspent.
F1 introduced a budget cap of $145million (£114m) last year. But Verstappen’s Red Bull are facing accusations – reported in Auto Motor und Sport and Gazzetta Dello Sport – that they went beyond that figure, potentially by up to five per cent, which would equate to £7m.
The FIA are assessing Red Bull’s finances with a verdict set to be revealed on Wednesday. Sanctions available to the sporting federation range from financial penalties to a deduction of drivers’ championship points. The latter could have an impact on last season’s result. Hamilton was denied a record eighth crown when he was beaten by Verstappen at a deeply contentious winner-takes-all finale in Abu Dhabi on December 12. Verstappen took the title by eight points.
Speaking on Friday evening, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he was not aware of any breach. But rival boss Wolff urged the FIA, and its president Mohammed ben Sulayem – elected in the days after the Abu Dhabi fiasco – to follow the rules.
Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: What Max Verstappen needs to clinch the Formula One world title this weekend
13:29 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has his first chance this weekend to seal one of the most dominant Formula One world title wins of all time.
The Red Bull driver could wrap up the championship in Singapore on Sunday if he wins and his nearest rivals fail to pick up enough points to stay in touch.
Verstappen has won 11 races out of 16 this season and leads second-placed Charles Leclerc by 116 points heading to Singapore, the first of the six remaining races.
There will be a possible 138 points available in the five races after this – five race wins at 25 points each, a fastest lap point at each and eight points for the sprint race winner in Sao Paulo – so with his unassailable advantage in the race wins tie-breaker Verstappen will need to add 22 to his lead to wrap it up at the first opportunity.
That requires victory in Singapore and would also realistically need Leclerc to not finish. The six points for a seventh-placed finish would keep the Frenchman within range and even eighth, and four points, would be enough if Verstappen does not post the fastest lap.
What Max Verstappen needs to clinch the Formula One world title this weekend
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Damon Hill reveals difference between ‘anxious’ Charles Leclerc and Michael Schumacher
13:15 , Kieran Jackson
Damon Hill has revealed a key difference between Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari driver’s most famous predecessor, Michael Schumacher.
Leclerc started the 2022 Formula 1 season well, but Max Verstappen has been ruthless for Red Bull while Ferrari has repeatedly made mistakes, meaning the defending champion may claim his second world title at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (2 October).
At 24 years old, Leclerc still looks to have a bright future in F1, but he has an ‘anxious’ personality that distinguishes him from Ferrari legend Schumacher, according to Hill.
“Charles is a very charming, intelligent kid, but he’s anxious. He’s got an anxiety there,” Hill said of the Monegasque on the F1 Nation podcast. “The first time I heard him say, ‘I’m really sorry guys, that was all my fault,’ I just thought: ‘Can’t imagine Michael Schumacher saying that ever.’”
Damon Hill on difference between ‘anxious’ Charles Leclerc and Michael Schumacher
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Christian Horner threatens legal action
12:58 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused rival boss Toto Wolff of “hugely defamatory, fictitious claims” and threatened legal action against Mercedes amid the cheat row overshadowing this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
In a fiery, and tense press conference on Saturday, Horner insisted he is “absolutely confident” Red Bull did not overspend as Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s controversial championship.
Horner also suggested the accusations that Red Bull broke F1’s budget cap have been planted to take the spotlight away from Verstappen, who could claim his second title in as many seasons on Sunday. On Friday, Wolff demanded Formula One’s governing FIA takes robust action if Red Bull have broken the rules. Ferrari have also complained publicly.
Responding, Horner said: “We were a little bit taken aback by the comments from our two rival teams. The submissions between the team and the FIA is confidential, and I have no idea what the outcome of our rivals’ submission is so I would be intrigued to know where their source of information for these fictitious claims has come from.
“They are hugely defamatory, and one can only assume that it is not a coincidence that this comes at a point where Max has his first strike at a world championship. We are here talking about cost caps rather than the phenomenal performance Max has had this year. It is an under-hand tactic employed to detract from perhaps a lack of performance on track from our rivals.”
Christian Horner threatens legal action over ‘fictitious claims’ from Toto Wolff
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Max Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached cost-cap rules
12:45 , Kieran Jackson
On a weekend where Max Verstappen has his first opportunity to claim an inevitable second World Championship in the searing sauna of Singapore, perhaps it is time for his 2021 nemesis to join the winners’ circle in a year of otherwise unbridled frustration. What’s more, last year’s thrilling title race could take another twist yet.
To matters on-track first and while Lewis Hamilton had previously not topped a session – whether it be practice, qualifying or a Grand Prix – this year, he went fastest in first practice on Friday. He was also within range in fifth in FP2, later on, to give massive cause for optimism for Mercedes, around a Marina Bay circuit which the seven-time world champion described as “epic” on Thursday.
F1 is back in Singapore for the first time since 2019 – the start of an east Asia double-header which is followed by Japan’s return next week too – and with memories of his stupendous 2018 pole-sitting qualifying lap in his mind, Hamilton looked clean and assured on the 23-turn street circuit.
Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached rules
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix:Lewis Hamilton hopes Mercedes aren’t ‘too far away’ from first win ahead of ‘epic’ Singapore GP
12:28 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton remains hopeful that Mercedes are “not too far away” from a first win of the season as F1 returns to Singapore this weekend.
The eight-time constructors’ champions are yet to taste victory in 2022 and with just six races to go, the Silver Arrows are looking to avoid their first winless season since 2011.
Hamilton himself has a record to maintain too, having won a race in each of his previous 15 seasons in F1, yet has not been top of the podium in the previous 16 Grands Prix this year. But Hamilton, a four-time winner in Singapore, believes Mercedes are in a “much better place than they’ve ever been” this year as the team look to overhaul Ferrari, 35 points ahead in the standings.
“Good to be back [in Singapore], 2019 feels like a lifetime ago,” Hamilton said, in the FIA press conference ahead of this weekend’s race.
Hamilton hopes Mercedes aren’t ‘too far away’ from first win ahead of Singapore GP
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Exclusive George Russell interview: ‘I don’t care about second’
12:20 , Kieran Jackson
For a man whose irrepressible ambition and unique talent has taken him to the cusp of Formula 1’s summit, George Russell could be forgiven for thinking 2022 hasn’t quite matched his lofty expectations. Waiting in the wings – aching for three years at the back of the pack with Williams – the 24-year-old’s long-heralded spot in the Mercedes garage was, most assumed, the final step on the road to fulfilment. Grand Prix victories, and subsequent title pursuits, were surely a slam-dunk inevitability.
Yet the scale of the struggle at Mercedes this season, toiling with their car’s violent oscillations and unpredictability, sees the Brit widely praised for his steadiness behind the wheel. With six races to go Russell is postioned in fourth, 35 points ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in second is just 16 points clear, as F1 heads to the humidity of Singapore for the first time in three years this weekend.
But despite the commendation, with seven podiums to his name and a top-five finish in every race bar one, race-by-race consistency is not the ultimate aim of the game.
George Russell on targeting a first race victory and off-track fame hitting home
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: FP3 done!
12:04 , Kieran Jackson
All the cars managed to squeeze some laps in there - on inters - and Charles Leclerc is fastest at the top, 0.5 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen in second.
Carlos Sainz is third, a full second further back, while Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez make up the top-five.
6-10: Stroll, Ocon, Vettel, Russell, Ricciardo. Lewis Hamilton finished P12 - but should point out that the Mercedes’ cars were the last out on track, so perhaps struggled with tyre warm-up.
Ferraris looking very strong in the wet though! And there’s potential for more rain in-between now and qualifying in two hours time!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Cars out on track!
11:47 , Kieran Jackson
15 minutes left of third practice and the majority of the field are now out on the damp Marina Bay circuit.
Pierre Gasly led the pack but has now dived back into the pits for intermediate tyres, while Max Verstappen is the only other driver also on inters - everyone else is on wets as they tiptoe around the track for their last running before qualifying.
Gasly is quickest so far, 0.7 seconds ahead of Verstapppen, with Carlos Sainz completing the top-three - but expect the track and the timesheet to evolve in the closing stages!
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Pit exit open!
11:33 , Kieran Jackson
The pit exit is now open in Singapore - as we start to see some of the drivers take their position in the cockpit.
Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly are among the drivers ready to take to the track - no movement yet though.
Frustrated fans in the grandstands waiting for some on-track action in Singapore....
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Christian Horner threatens legal action
11:31 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused rival boss Toto Wolff of “hugely defamatory, fictitious claims” and threatened legal action against Mercedes amid the cheat row overshadowing this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
In a fiery, and tense press conference on Saturday, Horner insisted he is “absolutely confident” Red Bull did not overspend as Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s controversial championship.
Horner also suggested the accusations that Red Bull broke F1’s budget cap have been planted to take the spotlight away from Verstappen, who could claim his second title in as many seasons on Sunday. On Friday, Wolff demanded Formula One’s governing FIA takes robust action if Red Bull have broken the rules. Ferrari have also complained publicly.
Responding, Horner said: “We were a little bit taken aback by the comments from our two rival teams. The submissions between the team and the FIA is confidential, and I have no idea what the outcome of our rivals’ submission is so I would be intrigued to know where their source of information for these fictitious claims has come from.
“They are hugely defamatory, and one can only assume that it is not a coincidence that this comes at a point where Max has his first strike at a world championship. We are here talking about cost caps rather than the phenomenal performance Max has had this year. It is an under-hand tactic employed to detract from perhaps a lack of performance on track from our rivals.”
Christian Horner threatens legal action over ‘fictitious claims’ from Toto Wolff
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: Pit exit to open at 11:30!
11:25 , Kieran Jackson
With the drivers just loitering about in the garage and the marshals working frantically to remove standing water out on track, it’s now been confirmed that the pit exit will be open at 11:30 (BST) should the drivers want some time in their cars before qualifying later on...
The question is: how many teams will risk their cars out on track with the dampness?
F1 qualifying - Singapore Grand Prix: FP3 is underway!
11:03 , Kieran Jackson
But there will be no cars out on track for the foreseeable future due to the heavy rain out on track! The drivers are not in their cars and the pit lane is closed due to the dampness of the circuit.
The clock still runs though, due to the day’s schedule needing to stay in place. Might not be much action at all until qualifying... could make for an exciting evening under the lights though!
Damon Hill reveals difference between ‘anxious’ Charles Leclerc and Michael Schumacher
10:58 , Jack Rathborn
Damon Hill has revealed a key difference between Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari driver’s most famous predecessor, Michael Schumacher.
Leclerc started the 2022 Formula 1 season well, but Max Verstappen has been ruthless for Red Bull while Ferrari has repeatedly made mistakes, meaning the defending champion may claim his second world title at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (2 October).
At 24 years old, Leclerc still looks to have a bright future in F1, but he has an ‘anxious’ personality that distinguishes him from Ferrari legend Schumacher, according to Hill.
Damon Hill on difference between ‘anxious’ Charles Leclerc and Michael Schumacher
Exclusive George Russell interview: ‘I don’t care about second’
10:45 , Jack Rathborn
For a man whose irrepressible ambition and unique talent has taken him to the cusp of Formula 1’s summit, George Russell could be forgiven for thinking 2022 hasn’t quite matched his lofty expectations. Waiting in the wings – aching for three years at the back of the pack with Williams – the 24-year-old’s long-heralded spot in the Mercedes garage was, most assumed, the final step on the road to fulfilment. Grand Prix victories, and subsequent title pursuits, were surely a slam-dunk inevitability.
Yet the scale of the struggle at Mercedes this season, toiling with their car’s violent oscillations and unpredictability, sees the Brit widely praised for his steadiness behind the wheel. With six races to go Russell is postioned in fourth, 35 points ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in second is just 16 points clear, as F1 heads to the humidity of Singapore for the first time in three years this weekend.
But despite the commendation, with seven podiums to his name and a top-five finish in every race bar one, race-by-race consistency is not the ultimate aim of the game.
George Russell on targeting a first race victory and off-track fame hitting home
Lewis Hamilton hopes Mercedes aren’t ‘too far away’ from first win ahead of ‘epic’ Singapore GP
10:35 , Jack Rathborn
Lewis Hamilton remains hopeful that Mercedes are “not too far away” from a first win of the season as F1 returns to Singapore this weekend.
The eight-time constructors’ champions are yet to taste victory in 2022 and with just six races to go, the Silver Arrows are looking to avoid their first winless season since 2011.
Hamilton himself has a record to maintain too, having won a race in each of his previous 15 seasons in F1, yet has not been top of the podium in the previous 16 Grands Prix this year.
Hamilton hopes Mercedes aren’t ‘too far away’ from first win ahead of Singapore GP
Alex Albon had to turn off Italian Grand Prix after waking from coma
10:25 , Jack Rathborn
Alex Albon has revealed doctors forced him to turn off the Italian Grand Prix after he woke unexpectedly from an induced coma.
The London-born Williams driver, 26, suffered respiratory failure, and was left on a ventilator following complications from laparoscopic surgery.
Speaking for the first time about his harrowing ordeal, Albon, who will return to his Formula One cockpit in Singapore on Friday, said: “I was supposed to be in induced sedation for two to three days, but in the end, my lungs cleared out within 12 hours.
Alex Albon had to turn off Italian Grand Prix after waking from coma
Max Verstappen tipped to challenge Lewis Hamilton’s F1 records
10:16 , Jack Rathborn
Nico Rosberg has warned Lewis Hamilton that Max Verstappen is coming for his Formula One records – and predicted the Red Bull driver is on the cusp of a decade of dominance.
Verstappen, who turned 25 on Friday, will have his first shot at sealing back-to-back world championships at Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix – with five of the 22-round campaign still remaining.
Verstappen will be crowned champion if he wins and sets the fastest lap, and team-mate Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finish lower than fourth and eighth respectively.
Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time in first practice at Singapore Grand Prix
09:50 , Jack Rathborn
Lewis Hamilton topped a practice session for the first time this season after he finished fastest in the opening running for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who is yet to win a race in 2022, saw off world champion Max Verstappen by 0.084 seconds with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third.
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez, took fourth, one spot ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time in first practice at Singapore GP
F1 signs new contract to stay on Sky Sports until 2029
09:35 , Jack Rathborn
Formula One bosses have agreed a new deal with Sky Sports which will see the broadcaster retain exclusive UK television rights until the end of the 2029 season.
Sky’s current F1 contract, which was agreed with the sport’s former ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, was up for renewal in two years.
But an extension between Sky and F1’s American owners Liberty Media has been signed off, with confirmation of the new deal made public ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
F1 signs new contract to stay on Sky Sports until 2029
What Max Verstappen needs to clinch the Formula One world title this weekend
09:20 , Jack Rathborn
Max Verstappen has his first chance this weekend to seal one of the most dominant Formula One world title wins of all time.
The Red Bull driver could wrap up the championship in Singapore on Sunday if he wins and his nearest rivals fail to pick up enough points to stay in touch.
What Max Verstappen needs to clinch the Formula One world title this weekend
Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce F1 regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach
09:10 , Jack Rathborn
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has demanded Formula One’s governing body the FIA take robust action over reports Red Bull broke the rules when Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s world championship.
On the eve of the Singapore Grand Prix – a race which could see Verstappen secure his second title in as many seasons – his controversial maiden triumph is under the microscope amid allegations his Red Bull team overspent.
F1 introduced a budget cap of $145million (£114m) last year. But Verstappen’s Red Bull are facing accusations – reported in Auto Motor und Sport and Gazzetta Dello Sport – that they went beyond that figure, potentially by up to five per cent, which would equate to £7m.
Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach
Max Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached cost-cap rules
08:53 , Jack Rathborn
On a weekend where Max Verstappen has his first opportunity to claim an inevitable second World Championship in the searing sauna of Singapore, perhaps it is time for his 2021 nemesis to join the winners’ circle in a year of otherwise unbridled frustration. What’s more, last year’s thrilling title race could take another twist yet.
To matters on-track first and while Lewis Hamilton had previously not topped a session – whether it be practice, qualifying or a Grand Prix – this year, he went fastest in first practice on Friday. He was also within range in fifth in FP2, later on, to give massive cause for optimism for Mercedes, around a Marina Bay circuit which the seven-time world champion described as “epic” on Thursday.
F1 is back in Singapore for the first time since 2019 – the start of an east Asia double-header which is followed by Japan’s return next week too – and with memories of his stupendous 2018 pole-sitting qualifying lap in his mind, Hamilton looked clean and assured on the 23-turn street circuit.
Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached rules
