Max Verstappen leads the charge in Singapore GP qualifying, while several drivers faced setbacks. Here's how the grid shapes up for race day.
The 2026 Formula 1 qualifying session for the Singapore Grand Prix showcased a mix of triumphs and disappointments, with Max Verstappen seizing the top spot while several notable contenders faced challenges. Here’s a detailed look at the winners and losers from the event.
Winner: Max Verstappen (1st)
Max Verstappen dominated the qualifying session, securing pole position with a performance that has him poised to finally break his streak of bad luck at the Marina Bay street circuit. The upgraded Red Bull car performed significantly better than its predecessors, showing a clear adaptation to the track's unique characteristics. Although Verstappen couldn't improve his time on the final run, he remains optimistic about starting strong. However, he’s cautious about the team’s startline issues after witnessing a surprising launch from George Russell during the sprint. As he noted, the sister team of Racing Bulls is getting better starts, raising questions about their own setup.
Loser: Isack Hadjar (22nd)
Isack Hadjar had a dismal qualifying, finishing last and expressing his frustration post-session. After mechanical issues cut his run short, he openly criticized the current sprint format and its implications on his performance. Hadjar lamented that he wished he had skipped the session altogether, as he felt his handling issues weren't addressed and his chance for points on race day diminished.
Winner: Upgraded Mercedes (4th)
Kimi Antonelli’s qualifying result marked a step in the right direction for Mercedes, with a gap to pole reduced from seven-tenths to just two-tenths from Friday to Saturday. By making substantial adjustments to the car's setup following the sprint race, including modifying ride height, the team managed to improve its competitiveness. Antonelli, pleased with the upgraded performance, suggested that both drivers should embrace this new setup for subsequent races, particularly in Austin. Despite this progress, teammate George Russell tempered the optimism by acknowledging the team is still not fully satisfied with their placement compared to Red Bull and Ferrari.
Loser: Aston Martin (17th + 19th)
Aston Martin’s qualifying highlighted a turbulent session, leaving the team with two drivers in the bottom half of the grid. Fernando Alonso faced a turbo issue that worsened as the session progressed, ultimately stunting his performance. Lance Stroll echoed similar frustrations, noting that the circuit's bumpy conditions didn’t suit their car setup. With the risk of grid penalties looming, Aston Martin's prospects for the race look increasingly bleak, diverging from their pre-event goals of securing points.
Winner: Charles Leclerc (2nd)
Charles Leclerc rebounded impressively from a tough sprint performance to secure a strong second place in qualifying. Despite grappling with front tire wear, Leclerc turned in a composed lap to finish closely behind Verstappen. His assessment points to an ongoing issue with his car but still reflects an encouraging step forward as he aims for a competitive position on race day.
Loser: Lewis Hamilton (3rd)
Although Lewis Hamilton qualified third, he was left contemplating what could have been. His earlier runs in Q1 and Q2 had shown promise, yet a subpar Q3 hurt his chances. Leclerc indicated that Hamilton had potential for a better lap, but he wasn’t able to extract that performance. This result underscores the fine margins that can dictate race outcomes, especially in such a tightly contested session.
Loser: Franco Colapinto (16th)
Franco Colapinto faced a disappointing qualifying, finishing well behind his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly. Termed a “strange” session by Colapinto, he struggled with rear grip and balance issues that hindered his performance. His crash during Q2 further complicated matters, marking a setback in an otherwise upward trajectory this season.
Winner: Pierre Gasly (8th)
In contrast, Pierre Gasly continued to shine in the midfield, achieving an eighth-place finish. He’s showcased consistent improvements in recent races, with this qualifying session marking another successful outing. Gasly recognized the significance of maintaining this momentum and expressed a desire to convert his qualifying speed into race points, hoping for a clean race day without the misfortunes experienced in previous events.
Loser: Alex Albon (18th)
Finally, Alex Albon's performance left much to be desired, with a qualifying result that saw him lagging behind his Williams teammate. Despite feeling reasonably satisfied with his lap, Albon's struggles at Turn 13 contributed to his slower time relative to Carlos Sainz. The team plans to investigate overnight to better prepare both drivers for the race, aiming to rectify the issues that impacted their qualifying performance.
The qualifying results at the Singapore GP highlight just how critical strategy, mechanical reliability, and driver performance intertwine in Formula 1. With the race day approaching, teams will need to address their respective challenges if they hope to convert qualifying successes into points.
