Sainz wary of Max but: 'it's going to be between the top five on Sunday'

For the second Grand Prix in a row, Carlos Sainz will start from pole, and this time he doesn't have to worry about Max Verstappen with his Red Bull breathing down his neck. Verstappen will start the Singapore Grand Prix from midfield. On a track known to be difficult to overtake on, Verstappen faces an uphill challenge.

But has Sainz completely ruled Verstappen out? "I don't think you can ever discard Max and Red Bull. They might turn up tomorrow with the race pace that they've had all season and still manage to somehow make it through the field. They have a much more difficult task [here] and it's a much better opportunity than Monza," Sainz said.

Sainz speaks of 'great opportunity'

Ferrari's Spaniard thinks the win will be between about five drivers; Russell, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton and himself. "I think tomorrow the race is going to be between the top five cars. I think it is true that George has this extra medium tyre, but we could also do a two-stop as the soft didn't look too bad. I think it would be a tough race to manage, a tough race to put together but I think if we nail it, we have a great opportunity and that's the target tomorrow," he added.

Sainz, incidentally, has only won one Grand Prix so far, following his win at Silverstone last season. Last race in Italy, the Ferrari driver finished third.