Verstappen Secures Pole in Thrilling Sprint Qualifying
Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Singapore Sprint, setting a fastest lap of 1m 31.156s around the Marina Bay Circuit. The Red Bull driver finished 0.120s ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and 0.243s clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Verstappen's pole was his first in Singapore and his 11th career Sprint pole. However, the result is provisional as he must visit the stewards over a potential yellow-flag infringement during SQ1.[S1][S2]
McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took fourth and fifth, with Piastri just 0.055s behind Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton was sixth in the other Ferrari, ahead of points leader Kimi Antonelli and Racing Bull's Liam Lawson. Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly completed the top ten, though both had lap times deleted in SQ3.[S1][S2]
SQ1: Perez Crash Brings Early Red Flag
Sprint Qualifying began under the lights with drivers on the mandatory medium tyres. Sergio Perez crashed into the tyre barrier at Turn 4, damaging his front wing and scattering debris, which caused a red flag with six minutes remaining. When the session resumed, Lewis Hamilton initially led with a 1m 33.748s, but a flurry of late improvements saw Verstappen post the quickest time of 1m 33.477s. Arvid Lindblad, Lance Stroll, Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas, Perez, and Carlos Sainz were eliminated.[S1]
SQ2: Ferrari Fight Back as Russell Recovers
In SQ2, Verstappen initially set the benchmark at 1m 32.724s, but Hamilton and then Leclerc responded, with Leclerc posting a 1m 32.457s. Russell, who had a lock-up, fought back to fourth, pushing Alpine's Franco Colapinto down to 11th. Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso, and Esteban Ocon were knocked out.[S1]
SQ3: Verstappen's Last-Gasp Lap Seals Pole
In the final segment, Verstappen waited in the garage before delivering a single flying lap to secure pole. Russell and Leclerc completed the top three, while Piastri and Norris rounded out the top five. Hamilton was sixth, ahead of Antonelli, Lawson, Hadjar, and Gasly. The Sprint race will take place on Saturday over 21 laps.[S1][S2]
