The four-time world champion continues his impressive run, while Hadjar is left frustrated by another mechanical setback.
Max Verstappen continued his remarkable Singapore Grand Prix weekend by securing pole position for Sunday’s race, having already topped Sprint Qualifying and won the 100km Sprint earlier in the day.
Following his victory at Sepang last weekend, the Red Bull driver has maintained his momentum at Marina Bay, where the RB22 has demonstrated a significant improvement in competitiveness.
Verstappen admitted that Ferrari had posed a serious threat, with Charles Leclerc missing out on pole by just five hundredths of a second. Nevertheless, the Dutchman was delighted with Red Bull’s performance throughout the weekend.
« It was good. It was close between the three of us throughout qualifying. I’m very happy to be on pole because this was really the one I wanted, » Verstappen said.
« The car has been strong all weekend. It can still be better, but it was enough for pole, so I’m happy. »
The four-time world champion also explained why Red Bull has been able to perform so strongly at a circuit that has traditionally proved challenging for him.
« With the new regulations, things work differently, so we’re stronger in different areas of the circuits. But we’ll take it!
« We’re on a positive run, and taking pole position here is very special for us. »
Verstappen targets a better start on Sunday
Despite his qualifying success, Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull still has work to do, particularly when it comes to race starts.
After a difficult getaway in the Sprint, the Dutchman hopes to avoid similar problems in Sunday’s Grand Prix.
« We have to look at it positively. It can only get better because it can’t get any worse!
« We’ll see how we can do things better tomorrow. »
Hadjar frustrated after another mechanical failure
While Verstappen celebrated another strong result, Isack Hadjar endured further disappointment as mechanical problems disrupted his qualifying session.
Having already retired from the Sprint, Hadjar suffered another setback when his car initially cut out before a gearbox failure brought his qualifying hopes to an end.
The Frenchman will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.
« The funny thing is that I was feeling good in the first sector before the gearbox failed, » Hadjar explained.
« I don’t know why we carried on because the car was damaged. I didn’t want to leave the car out on track, even though I was being a nuisance. »
Hadjar admitted that repeated technical problems had taken a considerable toll on his weekend.
« I really want to get out on track, do my best and drive. Now I’m extremely frustrated because we’ve had problems in every session this weekend apart from free practice. »
Asked by Canal+ about his expectations for Sunday’s race, Hadjar offered a particularly blunt response.
« Nothing. I’m fed up. »
Speaking later in the media pen, he expressed his determination to recover positions while admitting how much he regretted missing the excitement of qualifying.
« I’ll do my best. Carlos started from the back of the grid last year and finished tenth or something like that.
« I want to score points, but I love the adrenaline of qualifying, and when I don’t get that, it really annoys me. »
With Verstappen starting from pole and Hadjar facing a recovery drive from the back, Red Bull’s two drivers head into Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix with contrasting prospects.
