Lando Norris put McLaren on pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull's Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen joining his closest title rival on the front row in a dramatic session under the floodlights.

The three-time world champion was called to see the stewards in Singapore following the first free practice session on Friday, after which the FIA announced that he was in breach of their international sporting code and would be forced to undertake duties similar to community service within F1.

Oscar Piastri’s win last week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix put McLaren top in the teams’ standings — the key to F1’s lavish prize money — but teammate Norris only took a small bite out of Verstappen’s lead.