Penalty for Carlos Sainz after “driver error” crash / Formula 1

Moment of shock in the third qualifying session: Carlos Sainz lost control of his Ferrari shortly before the end of his lap, hit the barrier, red flag. He was therefore unable to set a time and started from position 10 – so that not too many repairs to the car were needed, which meant he had to start from the pit lane. He did receive a fine.

Sainz on the crash: “It was a strange accident. I had to let a lot of cars through at the start of my lap. My tires were much colder than I thought. I then lost grip on a bump in turn 17. A driver error. I underestimated it and was already under pressure from another car that was coming. I already knew that I was slower. I tried something that the grip wasn't there for.”

The Spaniard: “I had a lot of problems this weekend. It's crazy how things can change in a year. It's difficult to get the tyres to the right temperature in one lap. I had a few good laps at the weekend, but it wasn't consistent enough. I had problems with the brakes yesterday, which made it difficult to build confidence, which is especially important here.”

Sainz: “The mistake I made was not usual or typical and it shows that there is a very fine line between whether you get grip with the tires or not.”

At the time of the media round after qualifying, Sainz was unable to say what damage the accident had caused and whether he might have to start from the pit lane if parts had to be replaced. Sainz: “I just hope that I can have a normal race tomorrow and that we can show speed.”

Because Sainz got out of the car after the crash and walked across the track to the exit, he was fined 25,000 euros by the FIA. Of this amount, 12,500 euros will be suspended on the condition that he does not commit another similar offence.

Qualification, Singapore

01. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:29.525
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:29.728
03. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:29.841
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29.867
05. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:29.953
06. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:30.115
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:30.214
08. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:30.354
09. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, without time in Q3
10. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, no time in Q3
11. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:30.474
12. Franco Colapinto (RA), Williams, 1:30.481
13. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:30.579
14. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:30.653
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:30.769
16. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bulls, 1:31.985
17. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:31.094
18. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:31.312
19. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:31.572
20. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Clean, 1:32.054