Qualifying in Singapore proved every bit as tense and technical as expected, with the session unfolding under the city’s fading light. The 30-minute run was marked by incidents, rapid improvements, and an eventual late charge. The lights saw Ferrari junior driver Maya Weug take her pole position.
Early Drama as Palmowski Crashes Out
The session had barely settled before drama struck. Seven minutes in, rookie Alisha Palmowski clipped the wall coming out of Turn 5. Her first competitive outing at the Marina Bay circuit ended prematurely with that. With heavy damage to her car, Palmowski was sidelined, leaving her stuck with an early not-quite-hot lap of 2:12.356. The crash triggered the yellow flag and briefly threatened a red flag interruption.
Wild card entrant Lisa Billard, the French driver who took part in an F1 Academy test last month, made sure to put in an early time. Yet her efforts were quickly overshadowed by Ella Lloyd, who went fastest with a 2:04.958 before the session was stopped with 22:57 left on the clock.
Pin and Chambers Trade Fastest Laps
Once running resumed, the times began to tumble. Billard briefly topped the sheets with 20 minutes to go. But she was soon eclipsed by championship leader Doriane Pin, who strung together three purple sectors to record a 2:03.885. Her delight was short-lived, though. Just seconds later, American Chloe Chambers crossed the line with a 2:03.761 to grab provisional pole.
The circuit, still evolving as dusk fell, continued to bite. Lloyd had a scare at Turn 5. The same corner that caught Palmowski – though she was able to keep her car going. Meanwhile, Billard showed flashes of raw speed and briefly sat in third.
Weug Delivers Late Stunner
With 11 minutes left, Lloyd returned to track action, searching for more time but ultimately remaining in fourth. The battle for pole came alive in the closing stages, with Weug delivering a stunning lap, her ninth of the session, to post a 2:03.453. It was enough to put her on top by over three tenths.
The order behind her shifted, but no one could unseat Weug. Pin settled for second, Chambers for third, and Lloyd in fourth. Billard rounded out the top five in an impressive cameo appearance.
Block Secures Reverse-Grid Pole
Further down, Block secured P8, which means she will start from pole in the reverse-grid race tomorrow. “It’s progressing really quickly, but I am learning a lot,” noted Rafaela Ferreira, who ended qualifying in 14th after struggling to unlock more pace.
Pin could mathematically secure the championship this weekend. For her the result was a reminder that nothing comes easy around Singapore’s punishing streets. For Weug, however, it marked a significant moment. The championship fight in F1 Academy might not yet be over.