By: The Singapore weekend began with a number of technical issues. The Circus is in one of the most challenging cities in the world when it comes to radio waves, Wi-Fi and more besides. Every year, the teams – and particularly their telecommunications engineers – face the difficult task of setting up systems that allow the computers to communicate with the car in real time, wherever it is on the circuit. During qualifying today, an anomaly affected the International Federation's timing systems, resulting in a lengthy delay between the end of SQ1 and the start of SQ2. There was also human error, with Overtake Mode activated for just 27 seconds (read here).
Delays and mistakes aside, it was a superb and highly unpredictable qualifying session. Verstappen played the strategic game by opting for a single attempt in order to make the most of the best track conditions. The tactic temporarily earned him Sprint pole with a 1'31''156, 0.120s clear of George Russell (Mercedes) and 0.243s ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
However, the four-time Red Bull world champion made an error today: overtaking Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) under yellow flags, which had been shown following Sergio Perez's (Cadillac) crash during SQ1. It was an error that had left him fearing he could lose Sprint pole until just a few minutes ago.
Singapore Sprint Race starting grid – formation lap at 11:00 Italian time
Contrary to expectations, the International Federation, having reviewed the footage, deemed Verstappen's manoeuvre not dangerous, thereby confirming the Dutchman's Sprint pole. George Russell, meanwhile, will be able to take part in the Sprint from the front row. His power unit replacement penalty will apply only to Sunday's Grand Prix, for which the Briton already knows he will start from last place. No second place for Leclerc, who will therefore start third, in Verstappen's mirrors.
The provisional starting grid for the Singapore Sprint Race is therefore as shown in the image below. The formation lap is at 11:00 Italian time on Saturday 10 October.
Why are we referring to a provisional grid? Because team technicians could still encounter problems with the cars before tomorrow's race and, should a component subject to regulatory restrictions need to be replaced, the Federation would be forced to drop the driver concerned several places on the grid.
Cover photo by Peter Kiss / WHYOUT Images
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Singapore GP 2026
