Saturday night at Marina Bay delivered a stunning qualifying performance as George Russell claimed a brilliant pole position, bouncing back from his Friday crash in spectacular fashion. From Verstappen’s FP3 dominance to Mercedes’ qualifying masterclass, day two showcased why Singapore remains one of the most demanding venues on the calendar. What unfolded during the final practice and qualifying sessions? Let us here at Supercars.com.GH explain!
FP3
Max Verstappen edged Oscar Piastri by just 0.017 seconds to top FP3 with a 1:30.148, setting the stage for an intense qualifying battle under the Marina Bay floodlights. The incredibly close session highlighted the competitive nature of the top teams, with George Russell third just 0.049s behind the Dutchman.
Liam Lawson’s weekend woes continued when he crashed approaching Turn 8 after riding over the kerbs, triggering red flags for the second consecutive session. The New Zealander’s Racing Bulls car came to a halt on track, forcing another lengthy recovery operation that cost teams valuable preparation time.
Lewis Hamilton faced stewards’ scrutiny after being noted for a red flag infringement, an incident that would be investigated after the session. The seven-time champion ultimately finished eighth, while teammate Kimi Antonelli impressed by claiming fourth, suggesting Mercedes had found significant pace overnight.
Fernando Alonso’s strong weekend hit a setback when he was forced to limp his car home with just over 15 minutes remaining, ending the two-time champion’s session prematurely. The Aston Martin driver had topped FP1 but struggled to replicate that form when it mattered most.
Qualifying
George Russell delivered a masterclass performance by claiming pole position with a stunning 1:29.158, denying Max Verstappen by 0.182 seconds in a brilliant recovery from his Friday FP2 crash. The Mercedes driver tapped the concrete walls while extracting maximum performance, showcasing championship-caliber bravery under the Singapore lights.
Verstappen’s frustration boiled over as he swore on the radio after apparently encountering traffic from Lando Norris on his final flying lap. The Dutchman settled for second, while championship leader Piastri secured third for McLaren, maintaining crucial championship momentum despite not having the outright pace for pole.
Mercedes enjoyed a stellar evening with Kimi Antonelli backing up his teammate’s pole by claiming fourth, demonstrating the team’s significant overnight improvements. Q1 featured late drama when Pierre Gasly ground to a halt in the middle sector, bringing out yellow flags and forcing drivers to back off. The Frenchman’s stoppage meant several competitors had their laps compromised, though championship contenders safely progressed.
Charles Leclerc survived a Q2 scare after initially sitting in the drop zone, with his opening lap including a wall touch at Turn 14 that left him 13th. The Ferrari driver recovered brilliantly on his final run to reach Q3, though he could only manage seventh alongside teammate Hamilton in sixth.
Can Russell convert his brilliant pole into victory at Singapore’s demanding street circuit? Join Supercars.com.GH tomorrow to find out!