Verstappen beats Russell to Sprint pole as timing chaos hits Singapore

Verstappen delivered when it mattered in SQ3, overcoming a delayed appearance on track to take the top spot. Russell joined him on the provisional front row, providing Mercedes with a strong result despite the Briton already carrying a substantial grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

He said: "It’s always close here in Singapore. And also your lap itself, you’re pushing as hard as you think is possible, close to the walls in places.

“Once we bolted on the soft tyres, it felt like the car was coming alive a little bit more, but I did not expect this. Of course, (I’m) very happy to be first.

“I think the last few races we have been a lot stronger, but this track still highlights a few little weaknesses in the car, but we manage to drive with them as well as possible."

The pole battle followed a chaotic opening segment featuring Sergio Perez’s collision with the barriers, a red flag and a timing-system failure. That technical problem delayed the start of SQ2 while officials established which drivers had successfully progressed.

The final eight-minute segment began with uncertainty around Verstappen, whose Red Bull remained in the garage while mechanics gathered around the car. His rivals were already heading out on soft tyres to begin their attempts.

Lando Norris initially set the pace, with Oscar Piastri putting the second McLaren behind his teammate. Charles Leclerc then moved ahead of Norris to claim provisional pole, while Hamilton’s subsequent effort placed him third at that stage of the session.

Verstappen ultimately produced the decisive lap to secure Sprint pole, with Russell taking second as the session concluded.

It was an encouraging performance for Red Bull after Verstappen had also topped SQ1, although his starting position remains subject to the outcome of the stewards’ investigation.

Verstappen will be investigated after the session for a possible breach of the rules prohibiting overtaking under yellow flags, following an incident involving Hamilton.

As reported in GPblog’s coverage of the Verstappen-Hamilton incident, the Ferrari driver told his team over the radio that Verstappen had overtaken him while yellow flags were displayed.

Verstappen also addressed the incident over his own radio, insisting that he had allowed Hamilton back through.

The notification that the matter would be investigated after the session emerged during SQ2. A grid penalty remains a possible outcome if the stewards confirm an infringement, but no decision had been announced in the available reporting.

The opening segment was interrupted after Sergio Perez hit the wall and continued with a damaged front wing, leaving debris on the circuit. The resulting red flag set up a compressed fight to reach SQ2 once running resumed.

Separately, the timing system went down midway through SQ1, creating confusion over the classification and which drivers had been eliminated. Gabriel Bortoleto ultimately progressed, while Arvid Lindblad was among those knocked out.

The disruption also raised the possibility of changes to the cars’ power behaviour, although an actual effect on power delivery was not confirmed in the FIA statement.

In GPblog’s report on the software glitch, the FIA explained: “Start of SQ2 will be delayed due to an issue with timing systems, some lap times had not been registered. That is now resolved and the current timings are considered correct. We are investigating whether we can proceed with the rest of the session.”

Running eventually continued. Lindblad, Lance Stroll, Alex Albon, Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz were the six drivers eliminated in SQ1.

Russell’s route to the front row was far from straightforward. A lock-up compromised an attempt in SQ2, leaving the Mercedes driver vulnerable to elimination before he improved sufficiently to reach the final shootout.

Leclerc and Hamilton led that second segment for Ferrari. Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Oliver Bearman, Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon were eliminated.

Russell then converted his SQ3 appearance into second place, but his prospects for the main race remain complicated by a separate sanction.

As detailed in GPblog’s report on Russell’s confirmed engine penalty, Mercedes’ introduction of four additional power-unit elements resulted in a combined 40-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix. That penalty does not apply to his Sprint starting position.

For now, Verstappen holds provisional Sprint pole ahead of Russell. After a session shaped by interruptions and technical uncertainty, attention turns to the stewards and whether the Red Bull driver will retain that advantage for Saturday’s race.