Singapore Grand Prix qualifying predictions: Carlos Sainz a value bet

Free F1 betting tips, best bets and analysis for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session at Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday.

Where to watch

Practice three & qualifying
Sky Sports F1, 11am & 2pm Saturday
Race
Sky Sports F1, 1pm Sunday

Best bet

Carlos Sainz fastest qualifier
1pt 6-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

Singapore Grand Prix qualifying preview

Max Verstappen began the weekend that could see him crowned F1 world champion for the second time by celebrating his 25th birthday – but the Red Bull ace didn’t have much else to celebrate on day one of Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

The Dutchman was second fastest behind Lewis Hamilton in the first practice session, but managed just three timed laps in the evening hour after being confined to the garage for much of the period with an undisclosed mechanical issue.

Verstappen was still able to set a lap good enough for fourth place, and the fact that his quickest morning lap was set on the medium, rather than the faster soft tyre, means he won’t be too concerned.

However, the day also saw a power unit issue for Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, while Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda of the sister AlphaTauri team also suffered problems at a track famed for being tough on machinery.

Verstappen’s title rival Charles Leclerc didn’t have a smooth day either, missing almost an hour in total due to a braking issue and the team fitting new parts.

His Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz suffered no dramas though, and the car was visibly improved in the second session as the Spaniard topped the times.

It makes for a fascinating qualifying battle, enhanced by the fact that overtaking is very difficult at Marina Bay, giving grid position extra importance.

Leclerc is the qualifying king this year, with eight pole positions to his name already including in Italy last time out.

However, having missed so much preparation time at a circuit F1 has not visited since 2019 could leave him vulnerable to teammate Sainz, who has qualified ahead of the Monegasque at two of the last four races.

Verstappen is clearly capable of better than he showed on Friday, but represents no value at the prices.

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