George Russell takes pole in thrilling Singapore GP Qualifying

•October 4, 2025•Debrief, Formula 1

George Russell delivered a stunning lap under the lights at Marina Bay to claim pole position for the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by just 0.182s in a tense and dramatic qualifying session. The Mercedes driver’s 1:29.158 was the product of precision driving, even surviving a heavy brush with the wall in the final sector.

Verstappen, chasing his first-ever pole in Singapore, had looked threatening but was hampered by traffic earlier in Q3 and couldn’t match Russell’s pace in the decisive moments. Oscar Piastri impressed once again, securing third for McLaren ahead of rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli, who continues to underline his potential with another strong qualifying performance.

Singapore GP Qualifying Recap

Q1 – Early drama and yellow flags

The opening segment saw immediate tension as Pierre Gasly’s stricken Alpine brought out yellow flags, impacting several drivers’ laps. Despite investigations into possible infringements, most escaped without penalty.
The five eliminated were:

16th Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber)
17th Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
18th Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
19th Esteban Ocon (Haas)
20th Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Notably, Liam Lawson managed to progress despite limited running after two crashes earlier in the weekend.

Q2 – Big names fall

Track evolution was high, but the session claimed some high-profile scalps. Carlos Sainz missed the cut in 13th after failing to improve in the final runs, while Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon also dropped out. Lawson’s run ended here in 14th, with Yuki Tsunoda 15th.
Eliminated in Q2:

11th Nico Hulkenberg
12th Alex Albon
13th Carlos Sainz
14th Liam Lawson
15th Yuki Tsunoda

Q3 – Russell’s masterclass

With the top 10 set, the final shootout was all about fine margins. Russell went purple in the first two sectors and nailed the tricky Turn 16-17 chicane, setting the benchmark time. Verstappen’s response fell short, while Piastri and Antonelli both kissed the walls in their push laps, showing just how hard they were pushing.

Final Q3 standings:

George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:29.158
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.182s
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.366s
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.379s
Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.428s
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.530s
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.626s
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0.688s
Oliver Bearman (Haas) +0.710s
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.797s

Key Takeaways

Mercedes back in the fight

Russell’s pole – his second of the season after Canada – signals Mercedes’ ability to extract pace even at circuits that traditionally don’t suit them. Antonelli’s P4 adds weight to the team’s strong form heading into Sunday.

Verstappen still chasing Singapore glory

Despite topping FP3, Verstappen remains without a pole at Marina Bay. His race pace will be formidable, but starting alongside Russell could make Turn 1 a critical moment.

McLaren’s mixed fortunes

Piastri’s P3 is a solid result, but Norris struggled to hook up his lap and will start fifth. With McLaren able to seal the Constructors’ Championship this weekend, both drivers will need to be sharp in the race.

Ferrari inconsistent

Hamilton and Leclerc both made Q3 but couldn’t challenge for the front rows. The team will hope race pace and strategy can bring them into contention.

Rookie watch

Antonelli’s P4 and Hadjar’s P8 show the new generation is unfazed by the pressure of a street circuit. Bearman’s P9 is also a standout for Haas.

Looking Ahead to the Race

With Russell and Verstappen sharing the front row, the start could be decisive. Singapore’s tight layout makes overtaking difficult, so track position will be king. Strategy will hinge on tyre degradation in the humid conditions, and any safety car could flip the order.

Mercedes will aim to convert pole into victory, but Verstappen’s relentless race craft and McLaren’s potential double threat mean Sunday’s Grand Prix is set to be a tactical and psychological battle.