Lewis Hamilton faces a tall order to retain the lead of the Formula One championship after he qualified a lowly fifth for Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix as his rival Sebastian Vettel stormed to pole position.
Vettel, who trails Hamilton by three points in the title race, fended off the challenge from the rampant Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo to seal the front spot by one-third of a second.
The Ferrari driver punched the air with delight and celebrated his 49th career pole like a victory. With overtaking virtually impossible at this 3.2-mile street circuit, he will start the race as the overwhelming favourite to move ahead of Hamilton and return to the summit of the standings.
“I don’t know where that time came from,” Vettel, who has now secured four poles of the 10 events staged here, said. “I struggled also this morning. I shouted as loud as the crowd. It was unbelievable.
“I love this track. The car was tricky but was getting better, better and better. So am pleased we got it done. It’s an amazing track when you feel the car was coming together. I knew we had it in us but we had to get there.”
Verstappen added: “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.”
