Charles Leclerc says he and Ferrari did not expect to contend for pole position in Singapore, in the wake of a “crazy” lap that left him topping the session.
Ferrari had lacked pace on high-downforce circuits this year and was braced for a struggle around the 23-turn Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Ferrari put in a subdued performance on Friday but Leclerc led the way through Saturday evening’s final practice session, and was a front-runner throughout qualifying.
Leclerc trailed team-mate Sebastian Vettel after the first Q3 runs but turned the tables at the conclusion of the session to secure his third pole in a row, and fifth overall.
“It was quite a crazy lap,” said Vettel. “On the first one I compromised it, I started the lap too close to Lewis [Hamilton]. “I compromised the second sector, so then there was quite a bit of pressure to perform on the last lap.
“I gave it all, there was quite a bit of mistakes, I lost the car a few times and I see myself in the wall at least twice or three times in the lap. But it felt amazing. The car was great.
“Friday was a very difficult day for me, so to come here and do the pole position feels absolutely amazing.
“I’m very surprised because even though we knew that there were was a bit more to come we didn’t expect to challenge Mercedes or Red Bull.
“It’s quite a surprise for the whole team but it proves how good of a they’ve done back at the factory and here, so it’s thanks to them they’re on pole.”
Leclerc expressed further surprise that he did not lose further time with his mistakes at the end of Q3.
“I think whenever you lose the car you don’t really know how you do it but it just comes instinctively,” he said.
“I think it’s the exit of Turn 3 and exit of Turn 11, this one was quite big times.
“I was quite surprised I didn’t lose that much time by losing it that much, but everything after that went smooth and I was just giving it all. It was quite intense in the car, but I’m very happy.”
