The starting grid for the Singapore Grand Prix has changed following qualifying, with Max Verstappen set to start from pole position ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. After an eventful Sprint, attention now turns to Sunday’s race at Marina Bay, where Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull will all be chasing a major result.
Ferrari enters the Grand Prix with both cars immediately behind Max Verstappen, putting Charles Leclerc second and Lewis Hamilton third on the grid. Their qualifying performances can also be explored through the F1 Qualifying Pace & Sector Comparison, which provides additional context on qualifying gaps and sector performance.
What the Singapore Sprint suggested for Sunday’s race
Saturday’s Sprint offered several useful indications, while also underlining how difficult Singapore can be to predict. Rain delayed the start by more than half an hour and left drivers dealing with different conditions across the circuit.
Max Verstappen managed those circumstances effectively, while several other leading drivers were caught out by mistakes. The decisive moment came on the opening lap when George Russell, having passed Max Verstappen at the start, lost control of his Mercedes at the final corner and hit the barriers.
The incident handed the lead back to the Red Bull driver, who then managed his advantage through to the chequered flag. For Mercedes, George Russell’s retirement represented a missed opportunity, while Kimi Antonelli limited the damage by finishing fourth.
Ferrari had considerably more reason for optimism after placing both cars on the podium. Lewis Hamilton gained positions following a strong start and finished second, while Charles Leclerc crossed the line in third. The result strengthened expectations around the Maranello team ahead of the full Grand Prix, although the same competitive order is not guaranteed to repeat on Sunday because the Sprint took place on a wet circuit that gradually dried.
Further updates involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can be followed throughout the Singapore weekend.
McLaren, meanwhile, faces a more difficult turnaround after a complicated end to the Sprint. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made contact on the final lap while fighting for the leading positions. Lando Norris still finished eighth and took the final available point, while Oscar Piastri lost ground and was classified 14th. Beyond the sporting result, the collision also left McLaren with additional work ahead of qualifying and the Grand Prix.
2026 Singapore GP starting grid
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 1:31.373
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.054s
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – +0.123s
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +0.189s
- Lando Norris – McLaren – +0.339s
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.487s
- Pierre Gasly – Alpine – +0.852s
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls – +0.996s
- Arvid Lindblad – Racing Bulls – +1.408s
- Nico Hulkenberg – Audi
- Oliver Bearman – Haas
- Esteban Ocon – Haas
- Carlos Sainz – Williams
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi
- Franco Colapinto – Alpine
- Alex Albon – Williams
- Sergio Perez – Cadillac
- Valtteri Bottas – Cadillac
- George Russell – Mercedes – +0.374s in Q3
George Russell had recorded the sixth-fastest time in Q3, but he will start from the final grid position after receiving a penalty for changing power unit components.
Drivers starting from the pit lane
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Isack Hadjar
Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Isack Hadjar are required to start from the pit lane following changes made to various components on their cars.
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