Verstappen Takes Pole for First-Ever Singapore Sprint Race

Max Verstappen will lead the charge at the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint, securing pole position with a lap time of 1:31.156. This will be the first time the Singapore track hosts a Sprint event, with the race set during daylight hours, a first for Marina Bay.

Here's how the grid lines up for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix Sprint:

1. Max Verstappen **Red Bull** 1:31.156 2. George Russell **Mercedes** 1:31.276 3. Charles Leclerc **Ferrari** 1:31.399 4. Oscar Piastri **McLaren** 1:31.454 5. Lando Norris **McLaren** 1:31.587 6. Lewis Hamilton **Ferrari** 1:31.708 7. Kimi Antonelli **Mercedes** 1:31.849 8. Liam Lawson **Racing Bulls** 1:32.341 9. Isack Hadjar **Red Bull** No time set in SQ3 10. Pierre Gasly **Alpine** No time set in SQ3 11. Franco Colapinto **Alpine** 1:33.249 12. Nico Hulkenberg **Audi** 1:33.420 13. Ollie Bearman **Haas** 1:33.423 14. Gabriel Bortoleto **Audi** 1:33.466 15. Fernando Alonso **Aston Martin** 1:33.734 16. Esteban Ocon **Haas** 1:34.368 17. Arvid Lindblad **Racing Bulls** 1:35.136 18. Lance Stroll **Aston Martin** 1:35.662 19. Alex Albon **Williams** 1:36.130 20. Sergio Perez **Cadillac** 1:36.760 21. Valtteri Bottas **Cadillac** 1:36.868 22. Carlos Sainz **Williams** 1:37.376

Qualifying was not without its hiccups. George Russell, aware of a back-of-the-grid penalty for Sunday’s race, won't be affected in the Sprint. An early red flag caused by Sergio Perez's Cadillac littering the track with debris added to the drama. Both Williams drivers, along with Arvid Lindblad and Lance Stroll, failed to advance past SQ1.

A lengthy pause for a software glitch in SQ2 saw Audi and Haas drivers, along with Fernando Alonso, miss the cut for SQ3. The final session saw Verstappen's blistering lap secure his spot at the front, followed by a determined George Russell and Charles Leclerc, who will start third.