Max Verstappen described his second place in qualifying as a "victory". The Red Bull driver had been suffering from engine issues all weekend but turned in a great lap to put himself second on the grid and ahead of both Ferrari's.
A result Red Bull weren't expecting, the Dutchman will start in second alongside Lewis Hamilton but with nothing to lose and everything to gain which could make turn one very interesting tomorrow.
Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen was quick to describe his lap as unbelievable and praised the team for turning their pace around between final practice and qualifying.
"This feels like a victory. The amount of problems I've had today with the engine, not having a smooth run, to be second is unbelievable. It just shows we have an amazing car.
"We just have to make sure we have a clean start and from there on anything is possible. We need to sort out the engine for tomorrow but at least I'm happy with the car."
Verstappen collided last year with Sebastian Vettel at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix which changed the course of the championship. Any collisions with the drivers surrounding him tomorrow could turn the title race in favour of Hamilton or Vettel in an instant, but Verstappen will be hoping for a clean getaway in a race he will feel he can win.
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