Vettel takes pole as Hamilton finishes 5th: Singapore GP qualifying
Singapore GP qualifying had contrasting results for F1 World Championship contenders Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Vettel took pole while the championship leader Lewis Hamilton finished at a distant fifth. The German is now better placed to retake the lead from Hamilton, going into the final. Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, also finished ahead of Hamilton.
The Singapore Grand Prix, part of the Formula One World Championship, began in 2008 and had an inaugural night-time race, a first ever in F1 history. It takes places on Marina Bay Street Circuit, the first street circuit in Asia. Sebastian Vettel has won 4 times, most by any player. The 2016 Singapore GP was won by the reigning F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg.
This year the Singapore GP has been scheduled from 15th to 17th September.
As it stands, Lewis Hamilton is at the top of World Championship standings, with 238 points. Vettel is a close second with 235 points. Hamilton won three of last four races- British GP, Belgian GP, and Italian GP, while Vettel won the Hungarian GP. Owing to the narrow gap in points between the two, Singapore GP result could decide the championship leader.
