Formula One: Surprise and delight for Vettel as Ferrari ace claims fourth pole in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Unleashing a delighted whoop on the team radio as his fiery-red Ferrari crossed the finish line of the Marina Bay street circuit on Saturday (Sept 16), Sebastian Vettel could hardly contain his joy – and his surprise – at clinching pole position ahead of his rivals.

Ahead of this weekend’s race, the four-time world champion had played down Ferrari’s favourite tag here – their cars’ ability to generate more downforce is an advantage on Singapore’s twisty, 23-corner track – insisting that victory was not guaranteed.  

Perhaps the Ferrari ace had believed his own warning, for the 30-year-old appeared to be in shock minutes after qualifying on Saturday, as he said: “I don’t know where that came from. 

“I struggled in the morning and afternoon…I shouted as loud as the crowd! That was unbelievable. 

“I love this track. The car was tricky but it was getting better and better. So I am pleased that we got it done. I knew we had it in us, but we had to get there.

“I was a bit lucky in the last lap because I hit the wall and there was a huge vibration when I approached the last corner. I was very relieved when I crossed the line and I’m very happy right now.”

With Ferrari struggling in Friday and Saturday’s practice session, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were expected to give the 20-strong field a good run for their money in qualifying, as the duo set a quick pace right from the first qualifying session. 

With the field finally whittled down to 10 after the second qualifying session, Dutch teenager Verstappen – who will celebrate his 20th birthday in two weeks’ time – looked set to become Formula 1’s youngest-ever pole sitter as he sped round the 23-turn track in the third and final session.

Despite brushing the wall on his final lap, Vettel proved on Saturday why he is considered one of the sport’s finest drivers as he pulled off a last-gasp victory with a record-breaking lap of 1min 39.491sec to claim his 49th career pole and fourth here in Singapore. 

Pole position on Sunday will be a huge boost for the German driver – who has a record four wins and six podium finishes in Singapore – as the Marina Bay street circuit is notoriously tough to overtake on, with seven out of the last nine races won from the front of the grid. 

More importantly, victory here will see Vettel leapfrogging current world championship leader Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes for top spot. Vettel (235) is currently trailing Hamilton by just three points. 

Hamilton, a two-time winner in Singapore, struggled with his tire temperatures in qualifying, and could only finish fifth, while teammate Valtteri Bottas was sixth. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen will start Sunday’s race in fourth position.  

While delighted with pole position, Vettel is prepared for a long, heated battle on Sunday, as he added: “A good position is crucial, but it’s still as a long race. Our goal is to push for tomorrow, there are a lot of things to get right, and we will focus on ourselves. It will be a very close race.”

The Red Bulls are expected to push Vettel hard after a strong showing from both Verstappen and Ricciardo – who will start second and third respectively – in Saturday’s qualifying session. 

While disappointed not to clinch pole position, Verstappen said: “It is promising, but a shame we couldn’t put it on pole. The final lap wasn’t great. During the race it will be difficult to pass him so we will have to see in the first lap. 

“If there is a gap (at the start) it’s possible but if you just settle down and you go into the race…it’s a very long race so a lot of things can happen.”

Added Ricciardo: “I’m a little envious (of Vettel) today. I will accept a little bit of defeat but I’m still confident we’ll get victory. I think we’ve got a good package. Seb turned it on in qualifying but I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow.”

Qualifying results:
1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1min 39.491secs
2 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:39.814,
3 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:39.840
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:40.069
5 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:40.126
6 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:40.810
7 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:41.013
8 Fernando Alonso (Esp) McLaren 1:41.179
9 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren 1:41.398
10 Carlos Sainz (Esp) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:42.056
11 Jolyon Palmer (Gbr) Renault 1:42.107
12 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:42.246
13 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:42.338
14 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:42.760
15 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:43.883
16 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:43.756
17 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:44.014
18 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:44.728
19 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:45.059
20 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:45.570