Verstappen Sweeps Singapore Sprint, Claims First Marina Bay Grand Prix Pole

Max Verstappen has enjoyed plenty of Formula 1 success, but Singapore has long been one of the more stubborn gaps on his CV. That changed during a dramatic weekend at Marina Bay.

The Red Bull driver first claimed pole for Singapore’s inaugural F1 Sprint before winning a rain-hit race on Saturday, then followed it up by taking his first Grand Prix pole position at Marina Bay.

It also happens to come ahead of Verstappen’s 250th Grand Prix start.

From Sprint Pole To Sprint Victory

Verstappen set the pace in Sprint Qualifying with a 1:31.156 lap, edging Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.120 seconds. Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari.

“It’s always close here in Singapore,” said Verstappen. “But once we bolted on the Soft tyres it felt as if the car was coming alive a bit more.”

The Sprint itself was considerably messier - heavy rain delayed the start by half an hour, before Russell made a superb getaway to take the lead. His advantage did not last long. The Mercedes driver lost control approaching the finishing straight, spun and hit the barrier at Turn 19.

“Miscalculation,” Russell later admitted. “Silly mistake, big consequences.”

His retirement was only the beginning.

Incidents involving Lance Stroll and Sergio Pérez were followed by retirements for Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas. Nine cars eventually retired, leaving the 30th F1 Sprint with the fewest classified finishers to date.

Through the chaos, Verstappen kept things tidy.

Once racing resumed, the Dutchman pulled clear to win by 2.591 seconds from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Kimi Antonelli finished fourth, ahead of Liam Lawson and Ollie Bearman, while Nico Hülkenberg brought his Audi home seventh.

Hamilton took the fastest lap with a 1:45.457.

“We got a bit lucky with what happened with George,” Verstappen admitted. “After that, we just wanted to keep it calm and under control.”

First Singapore Grand Prix Pole For Verstappen

If winning the Sprint wasn't enough, Verstappen returned later to finally claim the Marina Bay Grand Prix pole that had eluded him.

His 1:31.373 lap was enough to beat Leclerc by just 0.054 seconds, with Hamilton taking third for Ferrari.

It marked Verstappen’s 50th Formula 1 pole position and, more significantly, his first for a full Grand Prix in Singapore. “This is of course the one that I wanted,” he said. “The car has been very strong all weekend.”

Leclerc will share the front row with Verstappen, while Hamilton starts third after struggling with oversteer during Q3 despite showing strong pace earlier in Qualifying.

Championship leader Antonelli took fourth, while McLaren team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will line up together on the third row once Russell’s engine-related grid penalty is applied.

Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, rookie Arvid Lindblad and Hülkenberg complete the remainder of the top 10.

For Verstappen, though, Sprint success is merely the appetiser. “I’m very pleased to win the Singapore Sprint,” he said. “But I want to win tomorrow.”

With his first Marina Bay Grand Prix pole finally secured, he has given himself the best possible opportunity to do exactly that.


Quotes and all photos courtesy of Singapore GP Pte Ltd

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