George Russell delivered a standout performance to claim pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, holding off Max Verstappen by 0.182 seconds at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. In his revitalized Mercedes, Russell showcased exceptional pace, marking his second pole of the season and seventh overall.
Despite battling a virus just weeks ago, Russell proved untouchable under the bright city lights, finishing nearly four tenths clear of his team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who secured fourth. Verstappen, unable to match Russell’s speed, qualified second, edging out the championship leader Oscar Piastri by a slim margin.
Piastri will start from third, ahead of a disappointed Lando Norris, who qualified fifth and risks losing valuable ground to his Australian team-mate. McLaren, despite their early-season dominance and looming constructors' championship, failed to command the top spots this session, with Norris and Piastri struggling to contend with the front-runners.
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Verstappen expressed frustration after being blocked by Norris during his final lap, which forced him to abort a potentially faster run. “It could have been close for pole, so it was a shame,” said the Dutchman, threatening consequences for the incident.
Notable performances include British rookie Ollie Bearman, who impressed by bringing his Haas car into Q3 and clinching ninth on the grid. Meanwhile, his team-mate Esteban Ocon faced a tough qualifying session, starting 19th.
With tomorrow’s race promising to be long and challenging, Russell remains cautious, eager to maintain his lead into the crucial first corner while mindful of Verstappen’s aggressive starts. As the Singapore Grand Prix unfolds, the battle at the front is set to intensify.