Verstappen Takes Singapore GP Pole Ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton

Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix during qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 10, setting the fastest lap of 1:31.373 for Red Bull. Charles Leclerc placed second for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton secured third, giving Ferrari two cars in the top three ahead of Sunday's race.

According to Autosport's qualifying report, Verstappen edged Leclerc by 0.054 seconds in the final session. Hamilton had briefly challenged for the top position, but his best effort of 1:31.496 was not enough to beat Verstappen's benchmark.

Leclerc improved to 1:31.427 on his final run, while Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell recorded 1:31.562 and 1:31.747, respectively, during the session. Russell will start further back because of a grid penalty for an engine change, according to Autosport.

McLaren's Lando Norris finished fifth in the decisive session with a time of 1:31.712, while teammate Oscar Piastri recorded 1:31.860. The results left both drivers outside the top four despite their efforts to improve on their earlier laps.

Verstappen's final qualifying run established the leading time, after which he abandoned his lap because he did not need to improve further. Autosport reported that drivers faced challenges managing tire temperatures around the street circuit, where pushing too hard early in a lap can compromise performance later.

Hamilton had earlier moved to the top of the timesheets with a 1:31.496 lap, having gained time through the second sector. However, he lost some of that advantage in the final sector, allowing Verstappen to take the provisional lead before Leclerc moved ahead of Hamilton.

Mercedes drivers used two preparation laps on their new soft tires before attempting their final timed runs. Autosport noted that the approach appeared designed to manage tire temperatures, a key factor on the Marina Bay circuit.

In the closing stages, Verstappen reported a problem with his gear changes, saying, "Insanely bad shifts," according to Autosport's live commentary. Despite the complaint, he completed the session with the fastest time.

Pierre Gasly secured eighth place after improving to 1:32.502, moving ahead of Liam Lawson, who finished with a best time of 1:32.369. Arvid Lindblad did not improve on his earlier effort during the final runs.

Autosport reported that Nico Hulkenberg, Oliver Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto were eliminated in Q2. George Russell's engine-related grid penalty means the eliminated drivers will each gain one position on the starting grid.

Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Isack Hadjar were eliminated in Q1. Bortoleto narrowly advanced to Q2 before being knocked out in the next stage.

The Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 20:00 local time on Sunday, October 11, according to Autosport. The report noted that rain could delay the start, making weather conditions a potential factor in the race schedule.