George Russell delivered a stunning lap to secure pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, underlining his case for a Mercedes contract extension. The Briton beat Max Verstappen by almost two-tenths of a second on the Marina Bay street circuit, while Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris could manage only third and fifth for McLaren.
Verstappen, however, left qualifying aggrieved, blaming Norris for ruining his final attempt. The Dutchman waved in frustration after losing downforce in the final corners behind Norris’s slow-moving McLaren on an in-lap. “You need every kind of clean air that you can have on a Q3 lap,” Verstappen said. “I lost a bit of downforce, so I went straight on. That is what happens when there is a car in front of you … that will be remembered.”
Norris dismissed the complaint, insisting he was well clear of Verstappen and suggesting Red Bull “complain about everything.” Although the incident sparked tension, Verstappen had not looked likely to match Russell’s pace before aborting his lap.
Russell’s pole was a showcase of precision driving, even after brushing the wall on his first run. Mercedes’ new front wing upgrade proved effective, with Kimi Antonelli impressing in fourth place and Lewis Hamilton taking sixth. Charles Leclerc lined up seventh for Ferrari.
The result sets up a thrilling Sunday. Neither Russell nor Verstappen has won in Singapore, and both will be desperate to strike as Piastri, holding a 25-point championship lead, looks to defend his advantage. McLaren, meanwhile, can clinch the constructors’ championship with 13 points, needing only a podium to seal their 10th title.
There was disappointment for Williams, as both cars were disqualified post-qualifying for DRS violations, sending Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz to the back of the grid.
