George Russell has surprisingly secured the pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen joining him on the front row of the starting grid. Both drivers are known for their refusal to back down, promising a thrilling start on the tight street circuit of Marina Bay.
For Verstappen, there’s a lot at stake: he needs to score a significant number of points to keep his championship aspirations alive. Behind this fiery duo, Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli form the second row. Piastri, the championship leader, can further extend his lead with a solid result. Title rival and teammate Lando Norris starts from P5, but naturally hoped for more during the qualifying session.
Next up are Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman, and Fernando Alonso, who complete the top ten. Their goal: survive the initial rounds unscathed and then wait for opportunities in the chaos that Singapore often provides.
The biggest disappointment on the starting grid comes from Williams. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon were removed from the results after qualifying because their rear wings did not comply with the regulations. Initially set to start from P12 and P13, they now find themselves at the back of the grid at P19 and P20. A heavy blow for the team that has been on the upswing in recent weeks.
The lights go out at 12:00 UTC this afternoon. Expect a spectacle, especially in turn one.
