Leclerc jokes about title gap and hopes to pass Verstappen in Singapore

Max Verstappen claimed the first Singapore Grand Prix pole of his career, with Charles Leclerc second, 0.054 seconds behind. After qualifying, Leclerc said he hoped a good start would let him pass Verstappen in the race.

Leclerc told Verstappen in the cooldown room that their karting days felt like yesterday. He said it was special that they had followed each other over the years and now raced in Formula 1.

Leclerc also joked that Verstappen had too many championships ahead of him, but said he hoped to catch up one day. Verstappen has four world titles; Leclerc has yet to win one.

Verstappen said it was enjoyable to meet in Formula 1 drivers he had raced throughout his life. He recalled that Leclerc was among the karting drivers he thought would make it to F1.