Image: from Holiness X @F1BigData
Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
George Russell delivered a sensational performance in qualifying to secure pole position for the 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, held on Saturday (4) at the iconic Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Mercedes driver clocked a time of 1’29.158, earning his seventh career pole and second of the season after starting from the front in Canada.
Max Verstappen, who had dominated much of the session, was ultimately forced to settle for second place with a 1’29.340. Despite missing out on pole, the Red Bull driver showed the team’s renewed strength, confirming that they remain a key contender for victory on Sunday.
Oscar Piastri, the championship leader for McLaren, will start third, while Mercedes’ rising star Kimi Antonelli took an impressive fourth place. Lando Norris, unable to match the pace of his rivals, qualified only fifth despite praising Marina Bay as one of his favorite circuits. Norris trails Piastri by 24 points in the championship and faces an uphill battle to close the gap.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton edged out teammate Charles Leclerc to secure sixth place on the grid, lining up alongside Norris in the third row. Leclerc and Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar will start from the fourth row in seventh and eighth, respectively.
The tight midfield fight was highlighted by Haas and Aston Martin breaking into the top ten. Esteban Ocon qualified ninth for Haas, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten for Aston Martin.
In the Sauber camp, Nico Hülkenberg outqualified Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto for 11th place. Bortoleto was eliminated in Q1 after a yellow flag forced him to back off in the first sector. Speaking after the session, the Brazilian acknowledged the difficulties of overtaking at Marina Bay and hinted at a potential alternative strategy for Sunday’s race.
The Singapore Grand Prix will take place on Sunday (5) at 9 a.m. Brasília time, promising a thrilling showdown under the lights of Marina Bay.
Starting Grid for the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix
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George Russell (Mercedes), 1’29.158
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT), 1’29.340
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.524
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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1’29.537
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Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.586
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Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1’29.688
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 1’29.784
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Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT), 1’29.846
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Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari), 1’29.868
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Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes), 1’29.955
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Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Ferrari), 1’30.141
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Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes), 1’30.202
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Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes), 1’30.235
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Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT), 1’30.320
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Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull/Honda RBPT), 1’30.353
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Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Ferrari), 1’30.820
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Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Mercedes), 1’30.949
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Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Renault), 1’30.982
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Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari), 1’30.989
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Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Renault), 1’31.261
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