Albon and Colapinto Narrowly Miss Q3 in Singapore Thriller

The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session was a nail-biting affair for Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto, as the two drivers came agonizingly close to securing a spot in the final part of the session. Despite a strong showing in the earlier free practice session, the duo ultimately fell short, leaving them to start the race from the sixth row of the grid.

Pushing the Limits in the Lion City

A Promising Start in Practice

The late afternoon free practice session saw both Albon and Colapinto record times good enough for the top ten, with Albon finishing eighth and Colapinto ninth. This strong performance had the team and fans alike hopeful for a repeat in the all-important qualifying session.

Narrowly Missing the Cut

As the sun set and the qualifying session got underway, the drivers gave it their all, but it was not to be. Both Albon and Colapinto came within three hundredths of a second of making it into the final part of qualifying, a heartbreaking result for the team.

Saving Tires for the Race

Colapinto, however, managed to save a set of medium tires during the day's sessions, which will give him more flexibility as the team heads into the race tomorrow evening. This strategic move could prove crucial in the battle for points.

Drivers' Perspectives

Albon expressed his disappointment, stating that the car was quicker than its eleventh-place qualifying position. He cited a balance issue and rear tire overheating as the main challenges the team faced during the session.Colapinto, on the other hand, was frustrated with the small mistakes he made, which ultimately cost him the chance to progress to Q3. However, he remained optimistic, noting that the car was in a good window and that the team would work hard to secure the best possible result in the race.

Team's Reflections

Sporting Director Sven Smeets acknowledged the team's confidence heading into qualifying, based on the strong performance in the earlier free practice session. He attributed the drivers' failure to make it into Q3 to the tires not being in the right window for their first attempts.Despite the disappointment, Smeets expressed the team's focus on the race, stating that both cars are in a good position to fight for points. The team will undoubtedly be working tirelessly to ensure Albon and Colapinto can maximize their potential and deliver a strong result for the team and their fans.