Sprint pole set

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set fastest time of one minute 31.156 seconds in Singapore GP sprint qualifying.

Verstappen leads

Verstappen pipped Mercedes driver George Russell by 0.120 seconds for pole position in Singapore GP sprint race.

Russell's position

Russell secured second place after power unit penalty and 40-place grid penalty for Sunday.

Red flag incident

First sprint qualifying session red flagged due to Sergio Perez crash and debris on track.

Verstappen's comments

Verstappen said the track requires maximum effort with close proximity to walls.

“It’s closer in Singapore. Your lap itself, you’re pushing as hard as you think is possible, close to the walls in places”

Verstappen's strategy

Verstappen noted soft tyres improved car performance but expected track weaknesses.

“Once we bolted on the soft tyres, it felt like the car was coming alive a little bit more. But I did not expect this, so, of course, very happy to be first”

Russell's comments

Russell expressed satisfaction with P2 position despite yellow flag investigation.

“We’ve been competitive all day, from the first laps in FP1. We obviously topped the timesheets there”

Investigation underway

Verstappen under investigation for overtaking Hamilton under yellow flags in SQ1.

FIA statement

FIA confirmed red flag impact on timing but second and third periods unaffected.

“The FIA acknowledges that this unfortunate human error had an impact on the performance of certain cars based on the timing of their run and their position around the lap”