George Russell made a surprising grab for pole position on Saturday for the Singapore Grand Prix. The British Mercedes driver convincingly clocked the fastest time in a new lap record under stifling conditions in the Asian metropolis. Behind him – by 0.182 seconds – Max Verstappen recorded the second fastest time. He will therefore start next to Russell from the front row on Sunday.
The McLarens were somewhat disappointing. World Championship leader Oscar Piastri recorded the third fastest time, while Lando Norris – behind Kimi Antonelli – could only manage the fifth fastest time. The results of the qualifying round have increased the pressure on Piastri and Norris.
Here is a quick overview of the Singapore GP qualifying.
Q1: Verstappen off to a flying start, Gasly out
Max Verstappen had a flying start to the first part of the qualifying. With 1:30.317 on softs, he immediately recorded the fastest time in his first quick lap before heading straight for the pits. The four-time world champion returned to the track as a precaution in the final phase and improved his time to 1:30.028. McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris also made no mistakes in Q1.
In the final phase of Q1, Pierre Gasly‘s Alpine stalled in turn 11 due to a hydraulic problem, bringing out the yellow flag. Yuki Tsunoda, among others, escaped as his fastest time in the final phase was allowed to stand. The fastest time was recorded by Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton with 1:29.765, followed by George Russell, Norris, and Verstappen.
Q1 Dropouts: Bortoleto, Stroll, Colapinto, Ocon, Gasly.
Q2: Mercedes in good shape, Tsunoda out
Max Verstappen was the first on the track for the second part of the qualifying and was immediately fast again (1:29.747). Charles Leclerc lightly hit the wall in turn 14, causing his first lap to be a washout. The same happened to Kimi Antonelli, whose time was disqualified due to track limits.
Both drivers rebound nicely in the continuation of Q2, with George Russell from Mercedes clocking the fastest time (1:29.562), followed by Verstappen (1:29.572) and Antonelli (1:29.649). The McLarens of Norris and Piastri trail behind them. Verstappen’s teammate Tsunoda disappointingly falls short with the fifteenth time.
Q2 Dropouts: Hülkenberg, Albon, Sainz, Liam Lawson, Tsunoda.
Q3: Unleashed Russell Shatters Lap Record
George Russell slightly grazes the wall in his first flying lap, but the Brit still manages a swift 1:29.165. Max Verstappen also can’t match Russell’s time and falls 0.175 seconds short. Following them are Piastri, Antonelli, and Norris.
Subsequently, the ten drivers in Q3 go for their ultimate lap. Russell improves once again, by 0.007 seconds to 1:29.158. His time sets a new lap record in Singapore. Verstappen is also fast again, but he is somewhat hindered in the final sector by a cruising Norris and has to settle for the second time.
Top-10: Russell, Verstappen, Piastri, Antonelli, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Hadjar, Bearman, Alonso.
The Singapore GP starts Sunday at 12:00 UTC.
