Max Verstappen took Singapore sprint pole after Red Bull repair work
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 9, 2026
Red Bull repairs helped Verstappen
Verstappen took sprint pole for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Circuit after Red Bull changed the suspected ERS issue before qualifying. Verstappen laid down a 1:31.156 lap and beat George Russell by 0.120 seconds, a margin that left the Red Bull driver on top after the interrupted session. It was Verstappen’s first sprint pole of 2026 and the 11th pole of his career. The run came after Verstappen spent much of SQ3 in the garage while Red Bull worked on a car issue. Verstappen was investigated for allegedly overtaking Lewis Hamilton under yellow flags at Turn 7.
Russell and Leclerc
Russell finished second and will start the sprint from the front row, even though his Mercedes was an older-spec car and he is due to serve an engine penalty for the grand prix. Charles Leclerc qualified third. Oscar Piastri took fourth ahead of Lando Norris in fifth, while Hamilton lined up sixth and Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh. The middle of the top 10 also stayed busy with Isack Hadjar taking ninth after a track-limits deletion, Pierre Gasly finishing 10th in SQ3 and Franco Colapinto ending up 11th.
Red Bull repairs
SQ1 was red-flagged after Sergio Perez hit the wall in his Cadillac. Perez later qualified 20th. Williams also endured a difficult day, with Alex Albon 19th and Carlos Sainz 22nd. Verstappen’s pole still stood out most because it came after a suspected mechanical issue and a long spell in the garage.
