Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Verstappen takes Singapore sprint pole, with Piastri fourth
Max Verstappen qualified fastest for Saturday’s sprint race at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.
The Red Bull driver’s time was 1 minute 31.156 seconds, 0.120 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took fourth, ahead of teammate Lando Norris.
Verstappen had won his first race of the season in Malaysia the previous weekend, but has never won in Singapore.
He was investigated over an alleged yellow-flag infringement during qualifying, but was cleared without a penalty and kept pole.
Singapore is hosting a sprint race for the first time, and the track is known for its heat, humidity and limited overtaking.
The 21-lap sprint is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, followed by qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix; rain is possible during the sprint.
Max Verstappen took pole for the Singapore Grand Prix sprint after topping sprint qualifying at Marina Bay on Friday.
Verstappen set a fastest lap of 1 minute 31.156 seconds, finishing 0.120 seconds ahead of George Russell.
Charles Leclerc qualified third, while Oscar Piastri was fourth and ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris in fifth.
Verstappen was investigated over an alleged yellow-flag infringement in SQ1; Motorsport.com reported he escaped a penalty.
The sprint was scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at 5pm local time, with qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix later that evening.
Forecasts cited a roughly 70% chance of rain around the sprint, and Singapore was also affected by haze from fires in Indonesia.
- Who
- Max Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri
- What
- Verstappen took pole for the Singapore Grand Prix sprint in sprint qualifying.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026; the sprint was scheduled for Saturday, October 10.
- Where
- Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Of course, very happy to be first.
It is going to be challenging, the grip here (means) the drivers on the pole side have a big advantage.
Still a lot to understand about this package, the car is very unpredictable and it is very hard to put a lap together.
Sprint qualifying took place at Marina Bay, with Verstappen setting the fastest time and taking pole for the sprint.
The Singapore Grand Prix sprint was scheduled to begin.
Qualifying for Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix was scheduled to take place.
The Singapore Grand Prix was scheduled to start.
- Verstappen's fastest lap
- 1 minute 31.156 seconds
- Gap to George Russell
- 0.120 seconds
- Top three
- Max Verstappen, George Russell and Charles Leclerc
- Oscar Piastri's qualifying position
- Fourth
- Sprint start
- Saturday, October 10, at 5pm Singapore time
- Saturday sprint rain forecast
- Roughly 70% chance of rain around the start
Sources
Verstappen quickest for Singapore sprint
F1 Singapore GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Verstappen continues resurgence with pole for Singapore sprint
Formel 1: GP Singapur – Sprint Qualifying: Verstappen fährt nächste Pole heraus
F1 Singapore GP: Max Verstappen takes sprint pole with Kimi Antonelli only seventh
Verstappen snatches Singapore sprint pole with stunning late lap
F1 Singapore GP: Verstappen storms to sprint pole with Antonelli only seventh
F1 Sprint Qualifying Results Today: 2026 Singapore Grand Prix times and positions
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