Qualifying at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix delivered a few shocks and set up some intriguing storylines for the race. With George Russell claiming pole and a few surprises behind him, let’s dive into how qualifying unfolded — and then turn our eyes toward Singapore GP predictions for Sunday’s race.
Qualifying Recap & Key Moments
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George Russell took pole for Mercedes with an eye-catching lap of 1:29.158, a new track record. That marked his seventh pole and first at Marina Bay.
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Max Verstappen qualified second, but expressed frustration after his final Q3 lap was compromised by traffic, particularly Lando Norris on his in-lap, which may have cost him pole.
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Oscar Piastri slotted into P3 — a strong result for the championship leader.
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Kimi Antonelli showed pace, securing P4 for Mercedes behind Russell, Verstappen, and Piastri.
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Lando Norris came in P5, but admitted afterward that Russell’s pole lap was “out of our league” and that McLaren were struggling with understeer at the front axle.
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Lewis Hamilton qualified 6th; Charles Leclerc struggled with balance issues in his Ferrari and ended up 7th, calling the car “snappy and unpredictable.”
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Williams disaster: Both Williams cars were disqualified after qualifying for illegal rear-wing DRS gap breaches. Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr. were demoted to the back of the grid (P19, P20).
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The grid was adjusted accordingly: Russell, Verstappen, Piastri, Antonelli, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Hadjar, Bearman, Alonso, etc.
So, the F1 Singapore 2025 qualifying session framed up a race where Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren will be competitive. But street circuits like Marina Bay often produce surprises.
Interpreting Qualifying for Singapore GP Predictions
Qualifying on street circuits tends to matter more than most tracks: overtaking is hard, track position is precious, and mistakes are costly. Based on the grid and what the teams have shown all season, here’s how I see things unfolding.
F1 Singapore predictions strongly tilt in favor of those who are deep in Q3 and start ahead. Russell on pole is a major advantage.
Also, the Heat Hazard rules (cooling vests or extra ballast) are still in play, which may influence car balance, driver fatigue, and late lap pace — another wildcard to watch.
Additionally, Verstappen’s frustration in qualifying gives a hint: he’s pushing hard, and if his race pace is strong, he could pressure Russell. But starting second means he’ll need to overtake under tough conditions.
McLaren’s pair (Piastri and Norris) are close by, but Norris’s remarks about understeer indicate they may struggle early. If they can manage tyre degradation and stay competitive, they could challenge for podiums.
Ferrari’s uphill fight starts from mid-pack; Leclerc’s balance woes may limit his upside unless things go chaotic ahead.
Now, let’s make some Singapore GP predictions.
Singapore F1 Predictions | Race Winner & Podium
Given how things lined up in qualifying:
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Winner Prediction: George Russell
Starting from pole, Russell has the best shot — especially as Mercedes have shown strength in qualifying. If he avoids mistake and navigates the heat well, he could convert it. -
Podium (Top 3):
1st George Russell
2nd Max Verstappen
3rd Oscar Piastri
Logic: Verstappen will push aggressively from P2 and has the racecraft to fight in traffic. Piastri should be able to defend from McLaren and capitalize on any errors ahead.
Singapore GP Predictions | Top 10 & Points Picks
Here’s how I expect the top 10 to shake out:
Lando Norris — strong qualifier, but might lose time under tyre wear
Kimi Antonelli – after a successful qualifying and a srtong showing in Baku, another good performance expected
Lewis Hamilton — experience, especially under night conditions
Charles Leclerc — if balance improves through race, he could claw forward
Isack Hadjar — surprising Q3 run; could pick up if others falter
Oliver Bearman — consistent and opportunistic
Fernando Alonso — earlier FP showed pace; could sneak into points
Drivers to watch: Hulkenberg, Lawson and Tsunoda could all make up positions at the start and break into the top 10. Also, starting from the back, Williams’ Albon & Sainz might make bold calls and punch into the top 10 if strategy and chaos align.
Final Thoughts
Qualifying has reshaped Singapore GP predictions in ways few expected — Mercedes back on top, Red Bull pushed harder, and McLaren under warning signs. But F1 Singapore predictions remain unpredictable until the lights go out.
If Russell plays it clean, he’s my pick for the win. Verstappen and Piastri will be breathing down his neck. The battle for points behind them will be fierce, with plenty of movement possible in Singapore’s unforgiving environment.
