05 October,2025 09:47 AM IST | Marina Bay (Singapore) | Abhishek Takle
George Russell pilots his Mercedes at the Marina Bay street circuit during Saturday’s qualifying session for the Singapore Grand Prix. Pic/AFP
George Russell put on a dazzling display under the Marina Bay floodlights to seize a stunning pole position for Mercedes in Saturday's qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Briton, brushing the barriers, put it all on the line as he lit up the timing screens with a one minute, 29.158-second lap around the city's streets. Red Bull's Max Verstappen will line up alongside him on the front row in second after setting a time 0.182 seconds slower than Russell's benchmark.
The reigning champion went into the session favorite for pole having topped final practice. But he was forced to abandon his final flying lap after encountering the slow moving McLaren of Lando Norris.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri was third, 0.366 seconds adrift, with teammate and title rival Norris, a disappointing fifth.
"Amazing to be on pole position," said Russell, after taking his seventh career pole. "Yesterday was a very challenging day for many reasons, so it is great to come back and get a result," added Russell, 27, who crashed out of Friday's practice session.
Verstappen, who encountered Norris in the closing stages of the lap, with the Briton on his cool down lap and heading for the pits, said the situation could have been avoided. "That's what happens when there is a car in front of you just cruising two seconds in front. That's noted and will be remembered as well," said Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Piastri said third was the maximum he could have achieved. "I would've wanted more, but I don't think we had four-tenths in the car to get pole," said the Australian.
