Lewis Hamilton has claimed pole position for the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix with an incredible lap - a 1:36.015 (a track record), on a track where Mercedes were actually expected to struggle. This is Hamilton's 79th career pole position and seventh of the season. Max Verstappen will start on the front row, his first front row start of the season, whilst World Championship contender Sebastian Vettel will start from a slightly disappointing third place, that said no points are earned from qualifying. Finnish drivers Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen will start from fourth and fifth respectively for Mercedes and Ferrari (respectively).
On earning pole position, Hamilton said the following:
"Wow.. wow that was a hard qualifying session that lap felt like magic I don't know where it came from but it all came together."I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone at the factory, everyone is working so hard. And I was pushing so hard. Singapore is a beautiful track, my heart is racing and I'm really happy."It was really special, I don't think there was a bad moment in the lap, it was just perfect."
Starting grid:
Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
Max Verstappen - Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer
Sebastian Vettel - Ferrari
Valtteri Bottas - Mercedes
Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari
Daniel Ricciardo - Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer
Sergio Perez - Force India-Mercedes
Romain Grosjean - Haas-Ferrari
Esteban Ocon - Force India-Mercedes
Nico Hulkenberg - Renault
Fernando Alonso - McLaren-Renault
Carlos Sainz - Renault
Charles Leclerc - Sauber-Ferrari
Marcus Ericsson - Sauber-Ferrari
Pierre Gasly - Scuderia Toro Rosso-Honda
Kevin Magnussen - Haas-Ferrari
Brendon Hartley - Scuderia Toro Rosso-Honda
Stoffel Vandoorne - McLaren-Renault
Sergey Sirotkin - Williams-Mercedes
Lance Stroll - Williams-Mercedes