Max to start Singapore Sprint from pole position: 'It's very close'

Published on 09 October 2026 by Misha van der Kroon

Max Verstappen will start the sprint race for the Singapore Grand Prix from pole position. During the sprint qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, George Russell secured P2 in his Mercedes, ahead of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari in P3. The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris completed the top five. Max’s Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate, Isack Hadjar, set the eighth-fastest time.

“It’s very close,” Max says after Sprint Qualifying. “And the lap itself, you push as hard as you think is possible, close to the wall in some places. It felt like the car was coming alive on the soft tyres. I didn’t expect this, so I’m definitely very to be starting first.”

Max continues: “We’ve been a lot stronger over the last few races, but this track highlights a few weaknesses of the car. We managed to drive with them as well as possible.”

When asked about the heat in the car, Max says: “It’s like being in a sauna while you’re exercising. So, yeah, it’s always very hot. You try to cool yourself down as well as you can between the runs, but the whole cockpit is hot, just like your entire body. But in a way, we love it as well.”

Before the start of SQ1, the air temperature stands at 30 degrees, while the track temperature is 43 degrees. Problems are reported with the ERS system on Max’s car, which manages energy recovery. Work is still being carried out on his RB22 just before the session begins, so hopefully the issues will have been resolved by the time SQ1 starts.

When the pit lane lights turn green for SQ1, Max is at least in his car, suggesting that the team of Oracle Red Bull Racing have managed to repair it just in time. During this twelve-minute opening segment, all drivers are required to run on medium tyres.

Sergio Perez runs off the track in the opening stages, triggering a red flag after returning to the pits with a damaged wing and leaving a trail of carbon debris on the circuit. Just over six minutes remain on the clock, which has been stopped. Only a handful of drivers have set a competitive lap time so far, and Max Verstappen is not among them. Meanwhile, the FIA launches an investigation into Max and Perez. Max may have overtaken another car under yellow flags, while Perez returned to the pits with his car in an unsafe condition. It is soon announced that no further action will be taken against Perez. There is no such update on Max’s situation, which will be investigated after the session.

When the session resumes, both Red Bulls join the back of the queue of drivers looking to secure a place in SQ2. Max aborts his first attempt, adding to the pressure, as his next lap has to count with the chequered flag already being waved. Once all the drivers have completed their laps, Max has the fastest time, ahead of George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Arvid Lindblad, Lance Stroll, Alexander Albon, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz are eliminated in SQ1.

The organisers announce that the start of SQ2 will be delayed due to problems with the timing system. When the session finally gets underway at 21:11 local time, Max is at the front of the queue and heads out first, presumably to leave as little as possible to chance. Once again, the drivers are required to use medium tyres. Max sets a time that proves difficult for the others to beat. Ultimately, both Ferraris and Lando Norris manage to go faster than the Dutchman on their first runs. Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman are among those under pressure to make the cut. When the dust settles after SQ2, Leclerc is fastest, Max is fourth, while Colapinto, Hülkenberg, Bearman, Bortoleto, Alonso and Ocon are eliminated.

For SQ3, the soft tyres are required, with the drivers effectively having just one opportunity to set a fast time. Even as some drivers have already headed out on track, Max’s car is still in the garage without its wheels fitted. Lando Norris sets a quick time ahead of Oscar Piastri, Russell and Antonelli. All eyes are then on the Ferrari drivers. Leclerc subsequently goes fastest while Max heads out on track. Hadjar is also on his way. Hamilton pushes hard in his Ferrari to set the third-fastest time. Max’s first sector is the fastest of anyone, and he goes purple again in the second sector. He then sets the fastest time, which none of the remaining drivers can beat. Pole position for Max, with Russell in P2 and Leclerc in P3. However, it remains to be seen whether Max will be allowed to keep his pole position, with the stewards set to investigate the matter after the session.

Results sprint qualifying Singapore: