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Max Verstappen

Verstappen clinches sprint pole for 2026 Singapore Grand Prix

Max Verstappen topped Saturday’s sprint qualifying in Singapore, edging George Russell and Charles Leclerc to start the sprint race from pole.

Kris Gupta, Founding Editor

• 1 min read
Formula 1 car at speed under floodlights with light trails
AI-illustrated | Pitlane Press India

Max Verstappen secured the sprint pole for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, posting the fastest lap in Saturday’s sprint qualifying session. The Red Bull driver edged out Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, confirming his continued dominance on the Marina Bay street circuit.

According to the live coverage on Formula1.com, Verstappen set a 1:36.842 lap on his second flying lap, a full 0.212 seconds quicker than Russell, who recorded a 1:37.054. Leclerc was third with a 1:37.112, leaving the rest of the field to battle for the remaining sprint grid positions. The session, run under hot and humid Singapore conditions, saw several drivers struggle with tyre degradation, making Verstappen’s clean run all the more impressive.

BBC Sport echoed the result, noting that Verstappen’s pole not only gives him a strategic advantage for the sprint race but also adds pressure on his championship rivals ahead of the final race of the season. Motorsport Technology highlighted that the Red Bull driver’s pole lap was achieved on the soft tyre compound, which he managed to keep in the optimal temperature window despite the high ambient heat. The article also mentioned that the sprint format, introduced in 2021, awards five points to the pole‑sitter, a valuable addition to Verstappen’s championship tally.

For Indian fans, the sprint qualifying took place at 10:00 IST, with the sprint race scheduled for 14:30 IST on Sunday. The event will be streamed live on FanCode, which holds the exclusive digital rights for F1 in India. Those who miss the live broadcast can catch the highlights on the official F1 YouTube channel, which posts a condensed sprint recap shortly after the race.

Verstappen’s pole position sets up an intriguing showdown for the sprint race, where a strong finish could further extend his lead in the drivers’ championship. Russell and Leclerc will be looking to capitalize on any mistake from the Red Bull driver, while the rest of the grid hopes to make the most of the sprint’s limited points haul.

Source: Formula1.com

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Pitlane Press India is an independent, fan-made publication. It is unofficial and not associated in any way with Formula 1, the FIA, or the Formula One group of companies. “F1” and “Formula 1” are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, used here editorially to refer to the sport.