Max Verstappen qualified P2 while teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggled to P15 ahead of tomorrow's Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen's first timed lap was strong, seeing him jump to the top of the timings early on, initially ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris by 0.255 seconds. Tsunoda, meanwhile, carried his struggles from FP3 and was initially 1.428 seconds back and under threat of suffering a Q1 exit after his first run.
Despite looking safe, Verstappen did come out for a second run in Q1. His second run was good enough for P3, putting him 0.263 seconds behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.
Tsunoda's final run, despite having to contend with yellow flags for Alpine's Pierre Gasly, saw him gain a full second from his initial lap, seeing him climb to P10 while others were finishing their laps. His time couldn't be beaten by those behind him, and he also progressed into Q2.
Despite lifting, Tsunoda was noted for a potential yellow flag infringement and will be investigated once qualifying concludes.
Verstappen's first lap in Q2 was 1:29.747, around three tenths faster than his best lap in Q1, and put him atop the timings again early on. Tsunoda was closer after his first timed lap, 0.606 seconds behind his teammate, but it was only good enough for P12 after everyone's first laps.
The reigning four-time world champion's second time came in 0.10 seconds behind Mercedes' George Russell, who set a new time of 1:29.562, good enough for P2. Tsunoda, however, couldn't improve and found himself knocked out in P15.
After Russell set a sensational 1:29.165 on his first run, Verstappen managed to put himself within touching distance, sitting P2 just 0.175 seconds behind the British driver.
Russell improved by 0.007 seconds, and the Dutchman found he couldn't improve, backing out of his final run to secure P2 ahead of tomorrow's race.
Verstappen appeared frosty in the post-qualifying interviews, commenting on Norris' presence ahead of him on his flying lap as being the reason he couldn't complete his final run.
He commented: "That's what happens when there is a car cruising 2 seconds in front of you."
"So that's noted, will be remembered."
When pressed on who was ahead of him, Verstappen said: "It definitely wasn't Oscar [Piastri]."
