Charles delivers Hammy whammy

RISING star Charles Leclerc is intent on sabotaging Brit Lewis Hamilton’s charge to a dream sixth world crown.

The Ferrari sensation, 21, grabbed his third pole position in a row with a stunning display in qualifying for tonight’s Singapore Grand Prix.

And he starts hot favourite to claim his second successive victory after leaving Mercedes’ Hamilton – and his own Ferrari team-mate Seb Vettel – in his shadow around the tricky Marina Bay street circuit.

“Charles did a fantastic job – he put in some great laps, especially the one that earned him pole,” said Brit Hamilton, who leads the F1 driver standings after eight wins this season.

“We are going to have to be aggressive in the race.

“It promises to be a heck of a battle.”

Leclerc, who has outshone partner and four-time champ Vettel all season, could not hide his joy after finishing 0.191secs ahead of Hamilton.

“I can’t believe it when I look at the time I clocked,” he said.

“I lost control two or three times on that lap and still got pole. The new bits we have fitted to the car worked perfectly.”

Leclerc’s time around the

3.146mile track was 1min

36.217secs compared with Hamilton’s 1min 36.408secs.

And a revitalised Vettel, without a win since Belgium last year, was just behind on 1min 36.437secs.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “We are looking forward to what is bound to be a tough battle – and we are going to push as hard as we can for yet another victory. Make no mistake, Ferrari and Leclerc are looking strong but we are up for it.”