Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying: Russell seals pole with late Q3 lap
George Russell surged to pole position for the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, delivering a superb performance for Mercedes as the Marina Bay street circuit produced another pulsating qualifying session. Having already topped the timesheets in Q2, Russell was credited with a late improvement on his second Q3 run, trimming a crucial 0.007 seconds off his lap to grab pole ahead of a familiar battle between Red Bull and McLaren’s line of contenders.
The grid-furnace in session three was intense, with Verstappen and Piastri locking out the immediate fight until the closing laps altered the order. The final results saw Verstappen in second and Piastri third, as teams juggled setup windows and tire strategies under the demanding Singapore heat and track conditions. In a notable achievement for an up-and-coming talent, Kimi Antonelli out-qualified Lando Norris, who settled for fifth ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who secured a solid sixth for Ferrari.
Russell’s pole is his second of the season, following his Canadian Grand Prix victory—an encouraging sign for Mercedes as they chase consistency through the demanding street circuit schedule. The pole also marks a milestone in Russell’s career at a venue famous for precision driving and immaculate throttle control, where milliseconds can separate glory from disappointment.
The session was not without drama. A yellow flag incident during the Q3 runs prompted a brief infringement investigation against Russell, which the FIA later resolved. The outcome did not alter the pole position, but it added a layer of tension to a moment that could have shifted the balance of power on the grid. Drivers and engineers cited the Marina Bay Circuit’s ever-changing grip levels, with some corners offering more grip under lights than others, forcing teams to balance downforce, tire wear, and brake stability across the 23-lap sprint to the lights.
By narrowing the gap to less than a tenth of a second between the top two, Russell’s performance in qualifying signals Mercedes’ improved pace and strategic readiness. It also sets the stage for an intriguing race under the Singapore night sky, where overtaking remains challenging and pit-stop strategy will be pivotal. Verstappen’s challenge will be to translate pace into a clean race, while Piastri will be aiming to convert pace into a podium with a strong start and a sustainable tire plan throughout the first stint.
As the teams pore over their data from FP1, FP2, and the intense Q3 session, fans are set for a high-stakes Grand Prix. The Singapore circuit’s tight corners, heavy braking zones, and winding straights demand near-flawless execution from drivers and engineers alike. A pole position at Marina Bay is as much about rhythm as raw speed, and Russell demonstrated both in his latest performance.
Full qualifying results list the top six and a host of other qualifiers who will line up behind them, with each driver hoping to extract maximum grip from the blue-tinted skies and the illuminated night track. Teams will now focus on Sunday’s race strategy, fuel loads, and tire choices, aiming to convert pole into race victory in a city where every corner counts.
What this means for race strategy
With Russell on pole, Mercedes can approach the race with an aggressive stance on strategy, leveraging their car’s balance and the pace to defend against early attacks. Red Bull and McLaren will be keen to leverage clean air and an optimal pit window, particularly if a safety car interrupts the start or early laps. Ferrari, represented by Hamilton in sixth, will look to maximize starts and early momentum, aiming to minimize the time lost in traffic and maintain stable tire wear.
Looking ahead to the race
The Singapore Grand Prix promises a tantalizing contest under the lights, where every lap matters as teams attempt to out-think the clock and their rivals. As the grid lines up, fans await a race that might deliver drama, strategy, and the kind of late-brake overtakes that Singapore is known for.
