Hello-la MiniFans!

The night time spectacle of the Singapore GP hosts round 15 of the 2019 FIA F1 World Championship; one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends of the season. Personally, I love Singapore as a destination, and if you tend to like urban cities, I would strongly recommend you visit sometime!

Based on the practice sessions this weekend, you really could make an argument for any of the top three teams taking victory at Marina Bay, so this should be a fascinating qualifying session.

Williams actually showed some promise and signs of improvement through the practice sessions. However, as everyone got into qualifying mode, Williams remained in their traditional 19th & 20th positions. Also eliminated in Q1 were Lance Stroll (17th) and Romain Grosjean (18th). The biggest shock however was Daniil Kvyat (16th) being knocked out of the session. Whereas, the man that the majority expected to be eliminated, Kevin Magnussen, got through into Q2.

No surprises whatsoever in Q2 as eliminated from the session were Kevin Magnussen (15th), Kimi Raikkonen (14th), Pierre Gasly (13th), Antonio Giovinazzi (12th) and Sergio Perez (11th). That left Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Renault in the fight for pole.

In Q3, it was Sebastian Vettel who set the early pace, beating out Charles Leclerc by 0.354s after the first runs. Surprisingly, Lewis Hamilton could only manage 4th, over a second off Vettel; but you can never count the British driver out.

During the second runs, Hamilton would indeed set a quicker lap to beat Vettel. However, Leclerc would set a lap good enough to beat the pair of them! The Monegasque driver bagged the 5th pole position of his F1 career, and he has now secured 33% of all pole positions this season. More staggeringly, he has out-qualified his team mate at the last eight race weekends. As everyone expected would happen this season, we’re seeing the start of what should be an unbelievable career.

Hamilton did finish the session in 2nd, ahead of Vettel, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas and Alexander Albon. Carlos Sainz took 7th for McLaren, clear of Daniel Ricciardo (8th), Nico Hulkenberg (9th) and Lando Norris (10th).

Do you think Charles Leclerc will take his 3rd consecutive win tomorrow? It would certainly be brave to bet against him in this form.