Lando Norris takes pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of title rival Max Verstappen… as he aims to close the 59-point gap to the triple world champion

Lando Norris kept his world title hopes alive by taking pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver was dominant at the city-state’s Marina Bay circuit, beating title rival Max Verstappen to second place by 0.203 seconds and holding his nerve in what turned into a one-lap shootout.

Norris has 62 laps today to capitalise on his favourable starting position as he looks to close a 59-point deficit to the Dutchman. Including this weekend’s race, there are seven rounds – and three sprint races – remaining with a total of 206 points on the standings.

This was Norris’ sixth career pole and fifth of the year. In none of his previous starts did he finish on the front of the grid. He is determined to correct that record, with his dream depending on it, but Verstappen will be giving him a hard time from the other side of the front row.

Lewis Hamilton set an impressive third fastest time at the circuit where he drove one of the best laps of his life during qualifying six years ago.

Max Verstappen qualified second in his Red Bull, while Carlos Sainz crashed in his Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton stands on row 2 next to his Mercedes teammate George Russell

Verstappen’s impressive performance was meanwhile surpassed by that of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who only qualified thirteenth.

Norris had to hold his nerve during a red flag interruption when Carlos Sainz, who took pole here for Ferrari last year, crashed with less than two minutes of Q3 completed. Repairs were carried out at the final corner, where the Spaniard began his flying lap, while his car was towed away.

At that point, only two drivers had set a time: Oscar Piastri, Norris’ team-mate at McLaren, and Nico Hulkenberg of Haas.

The delay lasted 16 minutes as the remaining drivers prepared for the final lap they had in the remaining eight minutes.

Sergio Perez failed to progress beyond the second part of qualifying, while his teammate was in second place

George Russell was fourth best for Mercedes, Piastri was fifth.

What was supposed to be Daniel Ricciardo’s final qualifying session in Formula 1 ended with a fizzle. The Australian, eight-time Grand Prix winner, only finished 16th for the RB team.

The 35-year-old Ricciardo is likely to be sidelined for the next race in Austin, Texas, on October 20, with New Zealander Liam Lawson set to move up from reserve driver to the hot seat.