The Singapore Grand Prix is known for its ability to shake up the field and displace the dominant team.
We saw that in 2015 when the dominant Mercedes team failed to get onto the podium for the only time that season.
Ferrari have been in blistering form all weekend with Carlos Sainz looking particularly quick.
Will this be the weekend where Red Bulls winning streak comes to an end?
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Q1
It was a typically frantic Q1 session with several of the drivers looking like they had a chance to get pole.
Russell set the early benchmark and had the pace advantage over his teammate surprisingly. Hamilton is usually rapid around the streets of Singapore and will hope to show some that form in the race.
Remarkably Hamilton is yet to win a race since 2021 and his hopes are fading fast this season to change that.
The teams were close in performance with some surprises at the front of the field. Tsunoda stuck the Alpha Tauri in first showing no driver could get too comfortable with their lap.
However the session was brought to an abrupt end. Lance Stroll lost control of the car at the final corner and hit the barriers at speed.
It was a relief to see him get out of the car unharmed but its another poor day for the Canadian with points on offer for Aston Martin.
The other drivers to get knocked out were the two Alfa Romeos, Logan Sargeant and most notably Oscar Piastri.
The Australian was on his flying lap when Stroll crashed meaning all his hard work was undone. A tough result to take but expect a fight back from him tomorrow as McLaren hope to carry on their run of good form.
The debris scattered across the track meant Q2 had to be delayed while the marshals did their work
Q2
When Q2 began it became clear that, for the first time this season, the Red Bull team were uncomfortable.
Sergio Perez lacked pace throughout the session while the imperious Max Verstappen was floundering.
He will be investigated for two incidents after qualifying – impeding Tsunoda in Q2 being one of them – that could see him relegated further down the field.
This time there was no magic as Red Bulls dominance ran out.
Both drivers out in Q2 with Verstappen in 11th while Perez could only manage 13th.
It will be fascinating to see if they can find some pace for tomorrows race. At the moment it seems unlikely, but with a driver like Verstappen, anything is possible.
The Dutchman was relegated by none other than Liam Lawson who put in a blinding lap to sneak through into Q3.
His teammate – 1st in Q1 – couldn’t get near him and will start 15th.
Gasly and Albon were the other drivers to get knocked out.
With so much excitement to see who will get into Q3 it was easy to forget about the front of the grid.
Sainz, Russell and Alonso were the top three setting up a mouth watering battle for pole between three teams.
Q3
Our Red Bull-less session was underway and the excitement was palpable. No disrespect to the incredible work the team have done, but it was nice knowing someone else would get pole.
Both Hass cars made it through to the final session and were looking to disrupt the order.
However pole was anyone’s guess with Norris, Alonso, Mercedes and Ferrari all in with a shout.
One man has stood out all weekend though and he didn’t disappointed when it mattered. Carlos Sainz putting in a blinding lap to take back to back pole positions.
A storming final lap for George Russell means he starts alongside the Spaniard with Charles Leclerc in third.
Lando Norris took fourth while Lewis Hamilton, usually so strong in Singapore, could only manage fifth.
It sets us up perfectly for tomorrow with a real battle for the podium places.
Haas will be looking to make the most of their fine qualifying performance by taking some points.
It remains to be seen whether the many incidents under investigation will shake up the field.
Tomorrow we return for race day at Marina Bay for the Singapore Grand Prix.
It’s lights out at 2pm BST and it’s sure to be a belter.
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