Carlos Sainz takes pole in Singapore

Carlos Sainz is stealing the spotlight for Spanish fans. Sainz, has emerged as a formidable force in qualifying with Ferrari, securing his second consecutive pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix, just a fortnight after his Monza triumph. This remarkable feat marks the fifth pole position of his Formula 1 career.

The competition was intense, with Sainz narrowly edging out George Russell by a mere 0.072 seconds and his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, by a slender 0.079-second margin. Sainz has reaffirmed his prowess in qualifying, setting himself apart in this domain. However, it's during the Sunday races that he has yet to match the performance of the sport's elite, such as Hamilton, Alonso, Verstappen, or even his own teammate Leclerc.

Currently, Sainz is experiencing a peak in confidence, skill, and leadership, qualities that could potentially make him a contender for the Formula 1 World Championship in 2024. In the upcoming race on Sunday, he will be vying for his second Formula 1 victory, following his triumphant moment at Silverstone in 2022 under rainy conditions.

Notably absent from the competition will be Max Verstappen and Checo Pérez, both eliminated in Q2. Red Bull is facing its most challenging weekend in years, making victory for Max seem increasingly elusive unless unforeseen circumstances intervene.

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso showcased his prowess by securing third place in Q3 and then advancing three positions in the final round. He will start from the fourth row on the grid, displaying a promising race pace demonstrated during Friday's practice sessions. With a strong start and a strategic race plan, a podium finish remains within reach for the Spanish veteran.

The prospect of witnessing two Spaniards on the podium is on the horizon, with Carlos Sainz emerging as the crowd favorite. He has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, much like his father, and could very well claim the top spot on the podium at the anthem ceremony.

Singapore Grand Prix provisional starting grid

1. Carlos Sainz (55), Ferrari

2. George Russell (63), Mercedes

3. Charles Leclerc (16), Ferrari

4. Lando Norris (4), McLaren-Mercedes

5. Lewis Hamilton (44), Mercedes

6. Kevin Magnussen (20), Haas-Ferrari

7. Fernando Alonso (14), Aston Martin-Mercedes

8. Esteban Ocon (31), Alpine-Renault

9. Nico Hülkenberg, (27), Haas-Ferrari

10. Liam Lawson (40), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT

11. Max Verstappen (1), Red Bull-Honda RBPT

12. Pierre Gasly (10), Alpine-Renault

13. Sergio Perez (11), Red Bull-Honda RBPT

14. Alexander Albon (23), Williams-Mercedes

15. Yuki Tsunoda (22), AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT

16. Valtteri Bottas (77), Alfa Romeo-Ferrari

17. Oscar Piastri (81), McLaren-Mercedes

18. Logan Sargeant (2), Williams-Mercedes

19. Zhou Guanyu (24), Alfa Romeo-Ferrari

20. Lance Stroll (18), Aston Martin-Mercedes