Wong Maye-E/Associated PressThe street circuit in Singapore on Friday, the scene of the qualifying session for the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.
SINGAPORE — It is a good thing that the images on local television of the Formula One track and cars and the Singapore skyline at night were beautiful. Because the qualifying session of the Singapore Grand Prix was not.
Sebastian Vettel, as he has done throughout the season, completely dominated the session to capture the 11th pole position of his career.
“We’ve got a long race ahead of us tomorrow and that is where we score points, not in qualifying,” Vettel said. “We just try to focus on the moment.”
But so clear was his domination that Lewis Hamilton, who had set the fastest time in the first practice session in his McLaren Mercedes on Friday, did not even bother to go out and try for a better time at the end of the session — in order to save a set of tires for the race.
The only man to come close to challenging Vettel was his teammate, Mark Webber, who finished second, 0.4 seconds behind. Jenson Button in the other McLaren was third at half a second back, while Hamilton was fourth. Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa finished fifth and sixth in their Ferraris.
Vettel could win the drivers’ title in tomorrow’s race if he finishes in the top three, in the following manner:
If he wins the race and …
– Alonso finishes fourth or lower.
– Button and Webber finish third or lower.
If he finishes second and …
– Alonso finishes eighth or lower.
– Button and Webber finish fifth or lower.
– Hamilton does not win.
If he finishes third and …
– Alonso finishes ninth or lower.
– Button and Webber finish seventh or lower.
– Hamilton finishes third or lower.