Max Verstappen Wins, Poles In Singapore GP Sprint, Qualifying Session

Max Verstappen is having a remarkable weekend, defending his pole at Marina Bay by taking pole in the Sprint and the qualifying session in the Singapore Grand Prix. 

Last weekend, the Dutch driver won his first race of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Meanwhile, winning at Marina Bay remains the only race that Verstappen has not won in his career. In the buildup to Sunday's final, Verstappen has dominated every race from Sprint Qualifying. 

Ferrari drivers, Charles Lecelec and Lewis Hamilton, have been competitive this weekend and have trailed Red Bull in races. Mercedes started the weekend in top form, but both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli struggled through the Sprint race.

Sprint Race

Max Verstappen defied the odds to win the Sprint in Marina Bay for the second straight time, despite a chaotic start and the wet surface, with George Russell retiring on the first lap. 

Verstappen dominated to the finish after George Russell, who was on provisional pole, retired from the race. Lewis Hamilton and Charles finished in second and third, respectively, while Oscar Piastri collided with Lando Norris and retired. 

Russell spun on the first lap, causing the first virtual safety car after running head-on into the wall. He was retired from the race. At Turn 16, Sergio Perez and Liam Stroll collided. The Sprint was chaotic with eight drivers retiring. 

Verstappen led Hamilton by 2.5 seconds. Leclerc finished in third while Antonelli followed in fourth.  Liam Lawson finished in fifth.  It was Verstappen's tenth Singapore GP Sprint and his second victory in a row

Qualifying Session

Hamilton dominated both Q1 and Q2, setting the fastest times in 1:32.680 and 1:31.529, while Lecelec followed in second in Q1 and Verstappen in Q3. Isack Hadjar did not make it past Q1 due to an engine issue and could not post a lap time. Before the session started, his car had a similar issue.

Verstappen delivered a stunning pace in Q3, setting the fastest lap on his first run. Leclerc improved in Q3 and finished in P2 ahead of Hamilton, who had dominated earlier sessions. 

Last season, the Dutchman qualified on pole in Singapore, but was beaten by George Russell in the final. Sunday's final will decide his maiden Singapore race victory.

Quali Top 10

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:31.373

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

Lando Norris (McLaren)

George Russell (Mercedes)

Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Liam Lawson  (Racing Bull)

Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bull)