“Oh man, qualifying has been a disaster for me all year. I worked and worked and suddenly it came alive in qualifying for the first time. I think there was a little bit more in the car, but I’m grateful for it.

“We are in a good position to fight tomorrow.”

There is widespread speculation that a decision on RB’s driver for 2025 is expected in the next few weeks due to a clause in Liam Lawson’s contract, and Ricciardo did not dismiss the rumours.

“I know what it is like and how it works, and I knew there would always be some dates and deadlines this year, be it the summer break or now after Singapore, so after Singapore is the next one,” he said Sky Sports F1.

“To be honest, there is still so much that is uncertain. Let’s see how the weekend goes. Of course, I will give everything I can, just like I have done so far. There is always something worth fighting for. We will see what happens. Trying to get this thing on the podium, that is my plan.”

“It’s pretty cool that I’m here and there are world championships, I mean, there are 150 wins or something in total,” he said after securing pole position in Singapore.

“So, yes, I have nothing against them and nothing comparable to them.

“So, I think it’s cool that I’m here and I’m among them and yeah, trying to fight them. I think that’s pretty awesome in my respect.”

The race starts at 13:00 (BST).

The Singapore Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom – and ESPN in the United States. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race begins at 11:30am (BST).

Sky Sports subscribers can follow all the action in Singapore using the Sky Go app. If you are not a Sky customer, you can get a NOWTV day pass here without a subscription.

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit!

Lando Norris starts on pole, tantalisingly positioned alongside the man he is trying to catch in the championship, Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton starts third, his Mercedes teammate George Russell fourth – Charles Leclerc from Ferrari finishes in ninth place!

Stay tuned for all the build-up and coverage – racing starts at 13:00 (BST)!

Lewis Hamilton has called on Max Verstappen to neglect his community service – after his Dutch rival clashed with Formula One rule makers by refusing to answer questions at the FIA’s Singapore Grand Prix press conference on Sunday.

Lando Norris kept his cool despite the heat and humidity of the Marina Bay Circuit and secured pole position in his McLaren. He is joined on the front row by Verstappen, who he is 59 points behind. Hamilton is third.

This was followed by an extraordinary press conference with Norris, Verstappen and Hamilton, which the three-time world champion de facto boycotted 24 hours after being punished by the Formula 1 body for his swearing-in at the media conference on Thursday.

Lando Norris boosted his World Championship hopes by securing an impressive pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Under the thousands of lightbulbs illuminating the Marina Bay Circuit, Norris put in a stunning lap, beating his rival Max Verstappen by 0.203 seconds.