The first session of qualifying for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix began with spectators seeing different Renault F1 cars. Following the crash-gate scandal that ended with Renault F1 Team's main sponsor, ING Bank terminating its partnership with the French car manufacturer, the team fielded the two cars with new livery.
Romain Grosjean struggled at the beginning of Q1 with brake inefficiency, but was encouraged by his team not to worry as the telemetry showed no error. Apart from that, the session went smooth and drivers and mechanics sweated only because of the high humidity in the air.
The second qualifying session is where things started to really heat up. Ferrari fans had to settle with just 13th place as their best on the grid, despite Kimi Raikkonen's efforts to record a fast lap, the Ferrari cars clearly suffered from the lack of downforce they've complained about in the past.
And if there is a place where downforce plays a crucial role that certainly is on a street circuit like the one in Singapore. The second notable event was Jenson Button's inability to make Q3. This will undoubtedly weigh heavily on the Brit's shoulders as the season draws to a close and as he can't seem to find the consistency he showed at the beginning of the season.
In Q3 both Red Bull-Renaults showed a composed pace, but in the end it was McLaren-Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton that took the first place on the grid for tomorrow's race. With just 30 seconds to go in Q3, Rubens Barrichello smashed his car on a side wall and brought out the red flag. Although the Brazilian finished the qualifying session fifth, he will suffer a 5-position penalty due to the fact he changed his gearbox.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:46.977 - 1:46.657 - 1:47.891
2. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:47.541 - 1:46.362 - 1:48.204
3. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:47.390 - 1:46.197 - 1:48.348
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:47.646 - 1:46.328 - 1:48.722
5. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:47.397 - 1:46.787 - 1:48.828
6. Alonso Renault (B) 1:47.757 - 1:46.767 - 1:49.054
7. Glock Toyota (B) 1:47.770 - 1:46.707 - 1:49.180
8. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:47.347 - 1:46.832 - 1:49.307
9. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:47.615 - 1:46.813 - 1:49.514
10. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:47.542 - 1:46.842 - 1:49.778
11. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:47.637 - 1:47.013
12. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:47.180 - 1:47.141
13. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:47.293 - 1:47.177
14. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:47.677 - 1:47.369
15. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:47.690 - 1:47.413
16. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:48.231
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:48.340
18. Fisichella Ferrari (B) 1:48.350
19. Grosjean Renault (B) 1:48.544
20. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:48.792
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