Here's the thing: Max Verstappen is starting Singapore's famous night race from pole position for the very first time. The Red Bull driver managed this feat by edging out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by just a tenth of a second in a tense qualifying session around the punishing Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Hot on their heels when the lights go out will be Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari and the Mercedes of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Behind them come the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Mercedes driver George Russell actually split the papaya cars in the times, but unfortunately for him, he is demoted to the back of the grid due to engine change penalties.
Further down the order, Pierre Gasly put his Alpine into Q3 yet again to start seventh. He sits ahead of the Racing Bulls pairing of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, while Audi's Nico Hulkenberg rounds out the top 10.
Meanwhile, three drivers will be forced to start from the pit lane. Isack Hadjar failed to set a qualifying time after his Red Bull suffered mechanical trouble in Q1, and he has subsequently taken on set-up changes alongside new power unit elements. He is joined down in the pit lane by both Aston Martins, which also received revised set-ups. Fernando Alonso qualified 17th—while team mate Lance Stroll ended up 19th—and both have taken on new power unit elements for the race.
