Mercedes' British driver George Russell (C), Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (L) and McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri pose for a photo after the qualifying session of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
by F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth
SINGAPORE, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mercedes' George Russell shrugged off a practice crash on Friday to take pole position for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in Saturday qualifying despite having brushed the wall earlier in the session.
Behind Russell, Red Bull's Max Verstappen took second, ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri, whose McLaren team can seal the 2025 Constructors' title if results go their way in Sunday's race.
"Amazing to be on pole position. [Friday] was a very challenging day for many different reasons, but good to come back and get a result," said Russell.
"A long sweaty race tomorrow, but I knew there was potential in the car. Kimi was doing an amazing job all weekend.
"I gained quite a lot to see what he was capable of doing yesterday. Very happy to be on pole."
Russell's pole position is his second of the season after having previously done so in Canada - a race he went on to win. With overtaking opportunities at a premium around the tight confines of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the Briton stands a good chance of notching his second victory of 2025.
Mercedes' pace so far this weekend was exemplified by Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli finishing the session fourth, ahead of Piastri's teammate Lando Norris, who never seemed to put a perfect lap together.
The Briton had been downcast after Friday's second practice session, after a clumsy collision with Charles Leclerc in the pit lane provided one of the day's main talking points.
Ferrari released Leclerc into Norris' path as they both headed out on track, knocking the McLaren into the pit wall and causing minor damage. The incident saw Ferrari slapped with a 10,000 Euro fine.
The two Ferraris ended qualifying sixth and seventh, with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Leclerc, while another impressive performance from Isack Hadjar sees the Frenchman line up eighth in the first Racing Bulls.
Ollie Bearman had an equally strong run to ninth in his Haas, with Fernando Alonso tenth for Aston Martin.
Outside the top ten, Nico Hulkenberg will line up 11th for Sauber, ahead of the Williams pair of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
Hadjar's teammate Liam Lawson recovered from two separate practice crashes to start 14th, while another disappointing performance from Verstappen's teammate Yuki Tsunoda sees the Japanese line up 15th.
Gabriel Bortoleto will start 16th in the second Sauber, ahead of Alonso's teammate Lance Stroll and the Alpine of Franco Colapinto, with Haas' Esteban Ocon lining up 19th.
Starting 20th and last will be Colapinto's teammate Pierre Gasly, who was unable to complete his final flying lap after stopping on track with an apparent hydraulic issue.
This weekend's Singapore Grand Prix has been designated F1's first ever "heat hazard" race, with searing heat and humidity expected to test drivers' endurance.
The ruling means teams are required to fit cooling vest systems to their cars, though drivers can choose whether to wear them. The rule is designed to prevent any competitor from gaining a weight advantage by opting out.
Cooling wasn't the only issue in Saturday's final practice session. Tsunoda reported problems with his in-car drinks system, saying it was "horrible" and joking: "I'm going to drown."
With seven grands prix and three sprints remaining in 2025, McLaren will be crowned 2025 Constructors' champion if it ends the Singapore weekend at least 303 points ahead of Mercedes and Ferrari.
To keep the fight alive until at least the next race in Austin, Mercedes must cut the gap by at least 31 points, and Ferrari by 35.
Even if Mercedes finishes one-two to score a maximum 43 points, just a single third place (15 points) for either Norris or Piastri would be enough to clinch the title for McLaren. ■
Mercedes' British driver George Russell waves after winning pole position in the qualifying session of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Mercedes' British driver George Russell reacts after winning pole position in the qualifying session of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Mercedes' British driver George Russell reacts after winning pole position in the qualifying session of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Mercedes' British driver George Russell reacts after winning pole position in the qualifying session of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Mercedes' British driver George Russell reacts after winning pole position in the qualifying session of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 in Singapore, Oct. 4, 2025. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
