Max Verstappen will start the Singapore Grand Prix from pole position after setting the fastest time in qualifying at the Marina Bay street circuit on Saturday, according to Corriere della Sera. The Red Bull driver, who also won the weekend's Sprint race, edged Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 54 milliseconds, with Lewis Hamilton completing the top three in the second Ferrari.
It is the 50th pole of Verstappen's career. The Dutchman said the car had performed well throughout the weekend and described taking pole at this circuit as special, Corriere della Sera reported. Asked about the start, he said he expected it could only go better.
Leclerc's final lap left him just short of Verstappen. The Monegasque driver said he had produced his best lap at the right moment but had struggled during the session, encountering brake problems in the first two qualifying phases before finding better pace in the last one. He added that he believed pole had been within reach, but that Verstappen had simply done better, and suggested the team might have gained more from its rear wing setup.
Hamilton, who has not started from first place in three years, according to Corriere della Sera, ended the session third. He said the final phase had been difficult for him, with the car feeling better after setup changes but still sliding on his last attempt. He noted how narrow the margin is between a car at its limit and one just beyond it, and said his final lap had not been enough. He also praised Red Bull's work and said having both Ferraris ahead gave the team a strong platform to pressure Verstappen in the race.
Why it matters
The result sets up a direct fight between Verstappen and Ferrari at a circuit where the Italian team has looked strong, while the championship leader starts further back. Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings, qualified fourth for Mercedes. Corriere della Sera reports that with George Russell demoted to the back of the grid for a power unit change, Antonelli has a chance to extend a lead that already stands at 89 points after the Sprint.
The Sprint itself was shaped by a collision between the two McLaren drivers. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made contact on the final lap of the short race, an incident Corriere della Sera describes as friendly fire that Norris had reason to make amends for. Norris qualified fifth and Piastri sixth, a result the report says will not be enough to console McLaren.
Ferrari's double threat and Mercedes' recovery
Ferrari's pace across the weekend has given the team two cars at the front of the grid. Corriere della Sera notes that the circuit suits the Ferrari package, and that the team's pit wall can use strategy as a weapon — while being careful not to repeat the kind of mistake made at Sepang. The report points out that street races in Asia can swing dramatically through safety cars, red flags and heavy rain, but that without such interruptions the race can turn into a processional order, which is what Verstappen would prefer.
Antonelli's second-row start comes after a difficult stretch with Mercedes' new updates. According to Corriere della Sera, the Italian struggled for a long period to find balance with the revised car, and the improvement followed significant setup changes. The report credits him with working through the problems rather than waiting for them to resolve themselves. Russell, meanwhile, set the sixth-fastest time but will line up 21st because of the engine change.
The rest of the grid
Pierre Gasly qualified seventh for Alpine, continuing what Corriere della Sera describes as an almost permanent presence in the top ten. Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad were eighth and ninth for Racing Bulls, a result the report frames as evidence of the team's progress. Nico Hülkenberg took tenth for Audi, offering some encouragement to the team after Gabriel Bortoleto's disappointing session — Bortoleto qualified 14th.
Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon line up 11th and 12th for Haas, ahead of Carlos Sainz in 13th for Williams. Franco Colapinto was 15th for Alpine, with Fernando Alonso 16th for Aston Martin, Alexander Albon 17th for Williams and Lance Stroll 18th for Aston Martin. Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas qualified 19th and 20th for Cadillac, with Russell 21st and Isack Hadjar 22nd.
Hadjar's session ended early. Corriere della Sera reports that a mechanical failure stopped the Red Bull driver in the first qualifying phase, a reminder that the team's renewed competitiveness comes with reliability concerns.
Verstappen's Sprint victory, which he described as unimportant compared with the main race, followed a dominant qualifying performance on Friday. Corriere della Sera reports that he has looked in command in both wet and dry conditions at Marina Bay.
The race is scheduled for Sunday at the Marina Bay street circuit. The main question is whether Ferrari can convert its two-car advantage at the front into pressure on Verstappen, and whether Antonelli can turn fourth place into a larger championship cushion while Russell fights back from the rear of the field.
