Verstappen takes pole for Singapore Grand Prix

Max Verstappen took pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday, beating Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in qualifying at Marina Bay as he seeks his first victory at the circuit. The Red Bull driver’s fastest lap was 1 minute, 31.373 seconds. Leclerc qualified second in 1:31.427, 0.054 seconds behind, while Hamilton was third in 1:31.496. Kimi Antonelli was fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Lando Norris in the McLaren. Verstappen’s pole capped a strong weekend that included victory in the sprint race earlier on Saturday. He said the car had been strong throughout the weekend and that the qualifying result was enough to secure the front spot. It was his first career pole at the Singapore Grand Prix, and he has yet to win the race in nine previous starts there. The result gives Verstappen the leading grid position for Sunday’s race on a circuit where overtaking is difficult. However, he identified Red Bull’s starts as an area needing improvement after the sprint. Verstappen said the team’s start had been poor again and warned that a similar start in the Grand Prix could jeopardize his race.