Verstappen continues resurgence with pole for Singapore sprint

SINGAPORE: Max Verstappen scorched to Singapore sprint race pole position in his Red Bull on Friday (Oct 9) after a thrilling qualifying session at the Marina Bay Street circuit.

George Russell's Mercedes joined Verstappen on the front row for the 21-lap dash on Saturday with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc third and Oscar Piastri's McLaren fourth.

A resurgent Verstappen, who won for the first time this season in Malaysia last weekend, clocked 1min 31.156sec under lights at a Marina Bay Circuit enveloped in haze caused by fires in Indonesia, 0.120sec quicker than Russell.

"It's always close here in Singapore. And also your lap itself, you're pushing as hard as you think is possible, close to the walls in places," said the four-time world champion.

"Once we bolted on the soft tyres (for SQ3), it felt like the car was coming alive a little bit more, but I did not expect this.

"Of course, very happy to be first."

Fifth was the McLaren of Lando Norris, followed by the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, sporting a new aerodynamic package, was only seventh in his Mercedes, with Liam Lawson (RB), Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) completing the top 10 on the grid.

Verstappen has never won in Singapore, where extremes of heat and humidity play a part in the most physically attritional race of the season.

He was buoyed by the pace of his Red Bull, which traditionally struggles on slower speed and bumpy street circuits.

"I think the last few races we have been a lot stronger," said Verstappen.

"But this track still highlights a few little weaknesses in the car, but we manage to drive with them as well as possible."

However the Dutchman could face a grid penalty as he was being investigated by