Max Verstappen returned to the top of Formula 1 with a statement performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, winning the sprint race before securing the 50th pole position of his career in qualifying on Saturday.
The Red Bull driver clocked a fastest lap of 1 minute 31.373 seconds at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by just 0.054 seconds. Lewis Hamilton qualified third, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli secured fourth for Mercedes.
Verstappen’s performance marked a turnaround at a circuit where he has often struggled. Despite reporting gearbox issues during qualifying, the four-time world champion delivered when it mattered to claim his second consecutive pole of the season.
“The margins are very close between us throughout all of qualifying, so of course, very happy to be on pole because this is the one that I wanted,” Verstappen said ahead of his 250th Grand Prix.
“The car has been pretty strong all weekend. Of course, I always think that you can be better, but it was enough for pole, so very happy with that.”
VERSTAPPEN’S DOUBLE
Verstappen’s sprint victory came in chaotic wet conditions after Mercedes driver George Russell initially took the lead off the line. Russell lost control on the opening lap after running over a painted line, spinning across the track and crashing into the barriers.
With Russell out, Verstappen moved clear to take the win, with Hamilton and Leclerc completing the top three. The Dutchman carried that momentum into qualifying, edging Leclerc in a closely contested final session.
However, Red Bull still have a weakness to address. Verstappen lost the sprint lead at the start, repeating a problem he experienced in Malaysia last week, despite eventually winning that race.
“We don’t accelerate off the line,” Verstappen said. “Up until now we always have terrible starts so we need to understand what’s going on there.”
He also complained about poor gear changes during qualifying, describing the downshifts as “insanely, insanely bad”. Nevertheless, the issues did not prevent him from taking pole.
Leclerc admitted he had made mistakes in his final lap, while Hamilton, who topped both Q1 and Q2, could not maintain his pace in the decisive session.
ANTONELLI GAINS GROUND
Antonelli was another major beneficiary of Saturday’s action. The 20-year-old extended his championship advantage over teammate Russell from 84 points to 89 after finishing fourth in qualifying and gaining two places on the final lap of the sprint.
That late progress followed a collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris attempted an ambitious move down the inside but misjudged it, sending Piastri spinning into the barriers.
Russell’s engine-related grid penalty means he is set to start Sunday’s Grand Prix from the back, giving Antonelli an opportunity to extend his lead further at a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
HADJAR’S RECORD ENDS
Verstappen’s teammate Isack Hadjar endured a difficult session, returning to the garage with a gearbox problem before setting a lap time. The Frenchman consequently lost his record of reaching Q3 in every qualifying session this season.
McLaren’s Norris and Piastri will start from the third row after stewards took no further action over their sprint collision. Pierre Gasly qualified seventh, followed by Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Nico Hulkenberg in the top 10.
With Verstappen on pole and Russell facing a difficult recovery, Antonelli has a valuable opportunity to strengthen his championship position in Sunday’s race.
– Ends
