Mercedes showed off its strong side in Singapore. © ANSA / FAZRY ISMAIL

Mercedes disenchants Verstappen with track record

Max Verstappen missed his third consecutive pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix. The reigning world champion was beaten by a Silver Arrow.

04 October 2025

From: dpa

Briton George Russell secured pole position for the night race in Singapore with a track record of 1:29,158 minutes. The Mercedes driver somewhat surprisingly relegated world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull to second place (+0,182 seconds) in a close qualifying session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Dutchman had claimed pole position and victory in each of the last two Grand Prix races.

Third place went to championship leader Oscar Piastri in the favored McLaren (+0,366). His championship and team rival Lando Norris had to settle for fifth place (+0,428). In the battle for the world championship, Norris is currently 25 points behind Piastri, while Verstappen, 69 points behind, is waiting for the duo to slip up. In the pole position showdown, however, Ferrari played a minor role. Lewis Hamilton (6th/+0,530) won the team-wide duel with Charles Leclerc (7th/+0,626). The starting gun for Sunday's race will be fired at 2:00 p.m.