Max Verstappen dominated the final section of Sprint Qualifying to claim Pole Position for Sprint Race at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix.
After a dramatic ending to Friday’s qualifying, it was Verstappen who ended the session on Pole. The Red Bull driver led Mercedes’ George Russell who came back to qualify fourth. While Behind, it was Charles Leclerc who had dominated most of the session to start third.
So Far This Weekend…
George Russell topped the only practice session in Singapore with a 1:32.274, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri completed the top five, while a gearbox issue for Nico Hülkenberg briefly brought out the Virtual Safety Car ahead of Friday Night’s Sprint Qualifying.
From Green Flags to Red
Under the lights in Singapore it was Sergio Perez’ Cadillac that brought out the first yellow flag only minutes into SQ1. The Mexican driver crashed into the Barries before returning back on track with a damaged front wing. With debrid from the front wing on track, the session was quickly red flagged and the field returning to the pits.
With six minutes on the clock, Lewis Hamilton led Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso, while most the field were yet to set a lap. Max Verstappen was noted for an infringement after overtaking Hamilton under the Yellow Flags.
After almost ten minutes in the pits, the field was back out on track to secure their spots in SQ2. Failing to secure a lap before the Red Flag, the Mercedes duo slotted behind the Ferrari duo in third and fourth. Hamilton continued his charge, picking up a purple middle sector as he sat three tenths ahead of Charles Leclerc.
Sporting special Peranakan helmets, Lando Norris slotted into third, while Oscar Piastri came through to fourth. Verstappen jumped to the top of the timesheet ahead of Isack had jar who had to settle for fifth.
As the checkered flag waved, Lance Stroll was edged out in 17th, while Arvid Lindblad had to settle for 16th. Alex Albon led the Williams and Cadillac duo’s ahead of Valtteri Bottas, while Carlos Sainz will line up ahead of Sergio Perez on the back row.
A Delayed SQ2
After a Red Flag delay in SQ1, the cars were back out track slightly later for the second section of Sprint Qualifying. Verstappen led the way, clicking a 1:32.724 with three purple sectors. Behind him, Russel and Antonelli slotted in while Hamilton was going quicker behind.
Over one tenth faster in the first sector, Hamilton continued to extend his pace to half a second. Hamilton claimed a 1:32.562 before being bettered by his teammate by one tenth. With the first flying laps of SQ2 complete, Gasly, Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenburg also slotted into the top ten. In 11th, Hadjar was in trouble, sitting almost half a second behind the Audi.
As the field began their second flying laps, it was Russell who had a heavy lock up. As his tyres were compromised and a grid penalty awaitied him, a perfect qualifying was necessary for the Briton. With every driver setting green sectors, it was Hadjar who jumped up to fifth ahead of Antonelli who had to settle for sixth.
The checkered flag was waving and it was Alonso, who crossed the line for 11th before being bettered by Ollie Bearman. Leclerc extended his lead, while Colapinto jumped into the top ten. However, this was short lived as both his teammate and Russell came across faster.
Clearing himself into fourth, Russell knocked out the Argentinian who led Hulkenburg. Ollie Bearman qualified in 13th ahead of Bortoleto. His Haas teamate, Ocon was forced to settle for 16th behind the Aston Martin. With all eyes on the final Sprint Qualifying session, it was up to the Ferraris to continue their dominance around the humid track.
Verstappen dominates to Pole
With eight minutes remaining, the green flags were out on the final Sprint Qualifying session. Norris was quick to put his time on the board, crossing with a 1:31.587, a time that will surely be tough to beat. Flying behind, Piastri crossed less than two tenths quicker. While Antonelli and Russell were forced to settle behind their engine counterparts.
Leclerc looked on track to go quick, picking up a purple middle sector. After claiming a second purple in the final sector, Leclerc charged to the top 0.019s ahead of Norris.
With three minutes on the clock, the second half of the field was on track for one flying lap. After being strong all qualifying, Hamilton claimed a purple first sector as he flew around the Singapore street circuit. Coming to the line, Hamilton settled for third, dropping behind Norris.
Elsewhere on track, Verstappen had bettered Leclerc by over three tenths in the first sector. The four time World Champion was on track for provisional pole. While Leclerc was setting purple sectors ahead, he bettered himself by 0.169s. However, that was not enough to stop the Red Bull as Verstappen claimed a 1:31.156.
After running wide in the final corner, Hadjar had to settle for seventh ahead of Antonelli, while Piastri crossed for third ahead of his teammate. However, it was George Russell who picked up pace quickly, claiming a front row start only 0.120s behind Verstappen.
The pair will line up ahead of Leclerc and Piastri, while Norris will lead Hamilton from the third row. While he went quicker in the final run, the Championship leader will line up from seventh ahead of Hadjar. Rounding out the top ten, Lawson claimed ninth ahead of Gasly in tenth.
Saturday’s Sprint Race will occur at 5pm local time ahead of Qualifying at 9pm local time (GMT+8).
Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool