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Verstappen Secures Sprint Pole at Singapore GP
Confirmed
In Short: Max Verstappen secured pole position for the sprint race at the Singapore Grand Prix, with George Russell joining him on the front row.
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the sprint race at the Singapore Grand Prix, with George Russell joining him on the front row, according to reports from BBC (United Kingdom) and ARN News Centre (United Arab Emirates).
Verstappen, who had never previously taken pole or won a race in Singapore, set the fastest time of one minute 31.156 seconds, 0.120 seconds quicker than Russell, as reported by ARN News Centre (United Arab Emirates) and Motorsport.
Both publications noted that Verstappen's performance was particularly impressive given the software glitch that affected all cars during sprint qualifying. The glitch, which caused delays in the start of the second qualifying segment, had a bigger impact on some drivers than others, depending on the timing of their runs, as reported by BBC (United Kingdom).
According to BBC (United Kingdom), the FIA acknowledged that the glitch had an impact on the performance of certain cars based on the timing of their run and their position around the lap. ARN News Centre (United Arab Emirates) reported that Verstappen's team was competitive all day, from the first laps in FP1.
George Russell, who was fastest in the only practice session earlier on Friday, will start from the front row despite a power unit penalty that will not affect his position on the grid for Saturday's sprint, as reported by ARN News Centre (United Arab Emirates) and Motorsport.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start Saturday’s sprint race from seventh, having been outpaced by the Ferraris and McLarens, according to Autosport.
Verstappen's team engineer informed him that he was in single yellows, which Verstappen acknowledged, saying, “Close to the walls in places, but once we bolted all the soft tires, it felt like the car was coming alive a little bit more,” as reported by Motorsport.
Valtteri Bottas, unable to take part due to his Formula 1 commitments with Cadillac in Singapore, opted for an unusual route to the Singapore Grand Prix, cycling the 350km (217 miles) from Malaysia, as reported by BBC (United Kingdom) and Scandasia.
Bottas detailed his epic ride to the Singapore GP from Sepang, saying, “The mind started to play games” at points during his ride, as reported by Crash and Tri-Today.
The sprint race will be a challenge for Verstappen, who noted, “It's going to be very challenging. The grip left to right here is a big difference. The drivers on the pole side last year had a big advantage, so it's probably going to be trying to maintain P2,” as reported by ARN News Centre (United Arab Emirates).
Charles Leclerc, who was 0.243 seconds off pole, said, “I did not expect this but you take it, I'm happy for sure. Qualifying tomorrow is still the main goal and for us the start is always a critical point but at least a positive end to our day,” as reported by BBC (United Kingdom).
Both BBC (United Kingdom) and ARN News Centre (United Arab Emirates) agreed that Verstappen's pole position and Russell's front-row start were the highlights of the sprint qualifying session, despite the software glitch that affected all cars.
What this adds
The sources have not established the exact timing of Bottas's bike ride from Malaysia to Singapore.
Background
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the sprint race at the Singapore Grand Prix, despite car issues.
What's confirmed
- "The second and third periods of sprint qualifying were not affected." The FIA system automatically disables overtake mode when there is a red flag.
- "It's closer in Singapore. Your lap itself, you're pushing as hard as you think is possible, close to the walls in places," Verstappen said.
- Charles Leclerc begins the sprint third for McLaren.
- Verstappen, who had never previously taken pole or won a race in Singapore, set the fastest time of one minute 31.156 seconds, 0.120 seconds quicker than Russell.
- "It's going to be very challenging. The grip left to right here is a big difference. The drivers on the pole side last year had a big advantage, so it's probably going to be trying to maintain P2. I know Max is under investigation for the yellow, so let's see."
- "The FIA acknowledges that this unfortunate human error had an impact on the performance of certain cars based on the timing of their run and their position around the lap," it said.
- "We've been competitive all day, from the first laps in FP1. We obviously topped the timesheets there," Russell said.
- "current timings are considered correct."
- "The last few races we've been a lot stronger, but of course this track still highlights a few little weaknesses in the car. But we managed to drive with them as well as possible."
- Russell was fastest in the only practice session earlier on Friday but his power unit penalty will not affect his position on the grid for Saturday's sprint.
- Red Bull's Max Verstappen has taken pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix sprint race on Friday, pipping Mercedes driver George Russell, who will join him on the front row under the lights at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
- A software bug had also caused chaos last weekend, with cars slowing to a crawl on two formation laps held after heavy rain at Sepang had forced the original start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia to be aborted.
What's still developing
- Wolff responds to latest claims Hyundai engine builder off the grid for BTCC 2027 "It should be banned" - F1 drivers still divided over cooling vests F1 Singapore GP: Russell tops FP1 with Verstappen also impressing F1 Singapore GP live commentary and updates - Verstappen takes sprint pole Max Verstappen topped sprint qualifying for Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, where he will be joined on the front row by George Russell.
- Why Verstappen’s unusual run plan highlights F1 teams’ biggest challenge in Malaysia Why Verstappen and Hadjar urge Red Bull to "make all the mistakes now" for 2027 Hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026 FIA reveals "human error" caused latest software glitch in Singapore sprint qualifying Where Pajari can improve after WRC title near miss F1 Singapore GP: Verstappen storms to sprint pole with Antonelli only seventh F1 Singapore GP live commentary and updates - Verstappen takes sprint pole From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you.
- "Still I feel there is potential in the car and maybe tomorrow we can be there or thereabouts in fighting for pole."
- Leclerc was 0.243secs off pole, and ruing what he said was Ferrari "losing a little bit of our raw performance" in the past three or four races.
- The formation laps at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia saw several drivers slowing to a crawl or stopping completely; watch the Singapore GP Sprint weekend from this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1 Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The FIA revealed an “unprecedented” glitch caused several cars to stop in the chaotic start to the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
- Rather than making the quick leap south from Malaysia to Singapore by air, the Cadillac driver hopped onto his Canyon gravel bike to cover the 350-kilometer (217-mile) journey entirely under human power.
- This past weekend, he competed in the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit – won by Max Verstappen – and immediately after crossing (or rather, failing to cross) the finish line, Bottas hopped onto his bike to set course for the Singapore Grand Prix, where racing action resumes this coming Friday.
- Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain adjust his cap at the paddock ahead of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, Thursday, Oct.
- “We are investigating whether we can proceed with the rest of the session,” is the word from race officials. 8:56: Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Hadjar, Norris, Piastri, Antonelli, Gasly, Bortoleto, Lawson, Bearman, Alonso, Ocon, and Colapinto are the drivers through to SQ2, in that order. 8:58: Check that, Bortoleto gets through.