Verstappen takes Singapore Sprint qualifying pole

Max Verstappen took pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix Sprint after setting the fastest time in qualifying on Friday, edging George Russell by 0.120 seconds. The Red Bull driver recorded a best lap of 1:31.156 and was quickest in all three qualifying segments. Red Bull changed the energy recovery system (ERS) on Verstappen’s car before the session. The team said the unit had a suspected fault and that it made the change as a precaution. The supplied information does not establish that the fault was confirmed. Russell finished second, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was third. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris placed fourth and fifth for McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton was sixth. Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, qualified seventh. The top 10 was completed by Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly; Hadjar and Gasly had their lap times deleted for exceeding track limits. The session included a stoppage in the opening segment after Sergio Perez made contact with a barrier and debris was left on the track. A separate delay interrupted the start of the second segment while officials addressed a timing-system issue.