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F1 Qualifying Results: George Russell clinches pole as Hamilton impresses in Singapore showdown
Mercedes star George Russell claimed a sensational pole position under the lights at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, beating reigning champion Max Verstappen in a tense qualifying session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The British driver delivered a near-perfect lap to secure his seventh career pole, while compatriot Lewis Hamilton produced one of his best showings of the season to qualify sixth for Ferrari.
Russell’s stunning performance saw him clock a 1:29.158, edging Verstappen by just 0.182 seconds. The Red Bull driver had appeared the man to beat after strong showings in practice, but the Mercedes driver found extra pace in the decisive final moments of Q3 to snatch pole. Oscar Piastri continued McLaren’s solid form by qualifying third, while his teammate Lando Norris had a more challenging session, ending up fifth behind another Mercedes — that of Kimi Antonelli, who impressed once again in his rookie season.
Hamilton’s sixth-place finish marked a significant step forward after several difficult weekends for Ferrari. The seven-time world champion looked rejuvenated from the start of qualifying, topping Q1 after taking full advantage of the improving track conditions. His confidence in the SF-25 was evident as he outqualified teammate Charles Leclerc, who settled for seventh. The strong display was a welcome boost for Hamilton as he continues to adapt to life at Ferrari following a turbulent run of results.
The opening qualifying session provided plenty of drama. Pierre Gasly’s Alpine ground to a halt on track midway through Q1, bringing out yellow flags and compromising several drivers’ final laps. The Frenchman was unable to continue, ending the session in 20th place. Among those joining him in elimination were Esteban Ocon (Haas), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber).
In Q2, several notable names also missed out on a top-10 appearance. Nico Hülkenberg narrowly missed the cut for Sauber, finishing 11th, while both Williams drivers — Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz — failed to advance after struggling with rear grip. They were joined by Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, both from Racing Bulls and Red Bull respectively, who couldn’t extract enough pace to make Q3.
The final qualifying shootout saw an intense battle between Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren. Russell’s flawless lap proved unbeatable, securing the top spot on the grid for Sunday’s race. Verstappen’s second place still leaves him well positioned to challenge for victory, while Piastri’s third-place effort puts McLaren firmly in contention for a podium. Antonelli’s fourth and Norris’s fifth ensured two Mercedes and two McLarens locked out the top five.
Rounding out the top 10 were Isack Hadjar in eighth — a standout performance for the Racing Bulls rookie — followed by Ollie Bearman in ninth for Haas and Fernando Alonso in tenth for Aston Martin. The results reflected a mix of experience and youthful energy, with several rising stars continuing to impress under pressure.
How F1 Qualifying Works
Formula 1 qualifying is divided into three segments — Q1, Q2, and Q3. In Q1, all 20 drivers participate, but the slowest five are eliminated at the end of the session. The remaining 15 then move into Q2, where another five drivers are knocked out. The final 10 proceed to Q3, where they battle for pole position and the top spots on the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
With Russell on pole, Verstappen on his tail, and Hamilton showing renewed speed, Sunday’s race promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
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