F1 Today: Williams suffer disqualification, as Russell beats Verstappen to pole

Fresh off the highs of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Williams Racing outfit faced immediate setback. The Grove-based team after seeing both Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon fall in Q2, were subsequently hit with a disqualification.

According to a statement from the FIA, the rear wings of both Carlos Sainz’s and Alex Albon’s cars exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing’s outer area.

The pair, who had qualified in P12 and P13 for the race, will now start from the back of the grid, or the pit lane.

This also comes on the back of Albon suffering damage to the rear of his car during FP1, after his brakes went up in flames during the practice session.

Russell honoured his 'Mr. Saturday' nickname, as he put in a lap good enough to clinch P1 ahead of Max Verstappen's rapid-looking RB21.

Russell, who had suffered a crash during the second free practice, clocked a staggering time of 1:29.158 to claim pole ahead of the Red Bull Racing driver. The time recorded by the four-time Grand Prix winner was also a new lap record at the Singapore Grand Prix.

It’s worth noting that the last time Russell clinched pole position, at the Canadian Grand Prix, and started alongside Verstappen on the front row, he went on to win the race. Maybe a repeat is in order? Only time will tell.

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