Sainz takes sensational Singapore pole after Red Bull meltdown

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz took pole for the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of George Russell, after a dramatic exit for both Red Bulls in qualifying.

Sainz put in a lap time of 1:31.170 which was 0.072s quicker than Russell on a new set of Soft tyres, with Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris making up the second row.

Max Verstappen will start outside of the top ten after getting knocked out in Q2 for the first time this season by Liam Lawson, in what was just the third qualifying session for the AlphaTauri driver.

The Dutchman also faces two investigations from the stewards for impeding, once in the pit lane and another for getting in the way of Yuki Tsunoda on a lap.

Verstappen knocked out by Lawson

Verstappen was knocked out by Lawson in the dying moments of Q2, after the Red Bull driver failed to put together a lap.

He was joined by teammate Sergio Perez, who was knocked out for the seventh time this season midway through qualifying. The Mexican was completing a lap in the dying moments when he spun at the second corner.

It is the first time since the Russian Grand Prix in 2018 that neither driver has made the top ten shootout at Red Bull.

They were joined by Tsunoda, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly who failed to progress any further in the session.

Stroll crashes out in Q1

The end of Q1 was married with a massive crash from Lance Stroll, when the Aston Martin driver was completing his lap and lost control coming out of the final corner.

Stroll picked up understeer through the final corner and went over the kerb, unsettling the car and causing him to spin into the barrier at high speed.

The crash tore off the left wheel and damaged most of the left-hand side of his AMR23, and also prevented many drivers from improving as the Red Flags came out.

Oscar Piastri was one of those directly behind and had to abort his effort, causing him drop out in Q1 along with Valterri Bottas, Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant.