Max Verstappen topped sprint qualifying for Formula 1's Singapore Grand Prix, where he will be joined on the front row by George Russell. It is the first time Verstappen has come first in a qualifying session of any sort at Marina Bay Street Circuit. Meanwhile, championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start Saturday's sprint race from seventh, having been outpaced by the Ferraris and McLarens.
In SQ1, Sergio Perez caused a yellow flag after crashing into the Tecpro at Turn 5, damaging his front wing before losing it on the racing line, which prompted a red flag. With only six minutes remaining, drivers rushed to set a decent time. Verstappen eventually went fastest in 1m33.477s, ahead of Charles Leclerc by 0.018s and George Russell by 0.096s. Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad missed the cut by one tenth, after confusion caused by an FIA software glitch.
In SQ2, Verstappen set a 1m32.724s, but was quickly surpassed by Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Russell narrowly survived after a lock-up into Turn 13, jumping to fourth at the last moment. Franco Colapinto was eliminated, 0.094s behind Pierre Gasly, along with Nico Hulkenberg.
In SQ3, drivers switched to soft tyres. Norris set the early pace at 1m31.587s, but Leclerc went quickest with 1m31.568s before Verstappen set a 1m31.156s on his sole attempt. Although not an official pole position given this is sprint qualifying, it was unprecedented for the four-time world champion. Russell clinched the front row in the final moments, ahead of Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Norris and Hamilton. Antonelli finished seventh, 0.693s down.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing