Nico Rosberg proved to be the fastest driver in the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session on Saturday. The German has taken the pole position, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo set to start in second place, followed by Lewis Hamilton in the grid on Sunday.
The fight between the two Mercedes drivers -- Rosberg and Hamilton -- has been brilliant this season, and the latter is ahead with two points. Rosberg comes into this Singapore Grand Prix with back-to-back wins in Belgium and Italy.
Hamilton will be keen to stop his hat-trick of wins and look to further increase the lead at the top, but it is not going to be easy with Rosberg having got the pole advantage. Add to it, Hamilton has not had a good weekend so far in Singapore.
"It's just not been my weekend so far. Just not really got many good laps out there and I've not been able to string them together, and that was the case today. Nico did a great job and showed the true potential of the car. Hopefully tomorrow, try and at least get one step up ahead to give that front row for the team," Formula One's official website quoted Hamilton as saying.
Though the race for the top two positions in the Singapore Grand Prix might be between Hamilton and Rosberg, Ricciardo may prove to be a big threat. The Australian has been one of the most consistent drivers in the Formula One circuit this season, and will be looking to win his first race this season.
Ricciardo felt that they improved after the practice session, and wants to be at his best on Sunday.
"We made improvements for qualifying through practice. We were still trying to find some stuff with the car and it finally came good in qualifying, got better, the rhythm for the session was good. We qualified on the supersoft for Q2, so we'll start the race on that tyre. Obviously we feel it's a good thing; let's see if it makes a difference tomorrow, but the last lap in Q3 was clean. It probably wasn't as good as Nico's but it was clean and good enough for the front row," Ricciardo said.
Sebastian Vettel, who has won four Singapore Grand Prix, was the biggest disappointment during the qualifying session as he will start the race from the last position. The German suffered some suspension problems, and his fastest time read 1:49.116. His Ferrari team mate Kimi Raikkonen will start the race in fifth position.
While other drivers from Force India, Toro Ross and the rest will look to collect points during the Singapore Grand Prix.
Where to watch live
The Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled for 8 pm local time, 5:30 p.m. IST, 8 a.m. ET
Country | TV Broadcaster |
India | Star Sports 4, Star Sports Select HD2 |
US | NBC |
Canada | TSN |
United Kingdom | BBC, Sky Sports |
Middle East and North Africa | Bein Sports Arabia |
Australia | Network Ten |
Germany, Italy | Sky Sport |
France | Canal+ |
Asia | Fox Sports |
Country | Online links |
India | Hotstar |
US | NBC Sports Online |
UK | Watch Sky Sports |
Middle East | BeIN Sport Connect |
Asia | Fox Sports Online |
Italy | Sky Go Italy |
Germany | Sky Go Germany |