Fifth for Lawson in Sprint Race, starts ninth in Singapore GP

Max Verstappen enjoyed a superb Saturday at the Singapore Grand Prix after he followed up a comfortable Sprint Race victory with pole position for Sunday’s race.

The four-time F1 world champion took advantage of George Russell’s early retirement in the Sprint Race to easily hold off Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari for his 14th career Sprint Race victory – 10 more than any other driver – as Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson banked an impressive fifth place.

“The race was strong,” said Lawson. “We had a decent start and the car looked after its tyres compared with some of the guys around me. We got a bit lucky at the end there so very happy.”

Sprint winner Max Verstappen, Second placed Lewis Hamilton, Third placed Charles Leclerc and Veronica Shanti Pereira pose for photos in parc ferme during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore – Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

In qualifying later around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Dutchman Verstappen pulled out a brilliant 1:31.373 lap in Q3 to edge out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for pole position – his second in a row after the Bahrain Grand Prix last week.

Kiwi Lawson finished in ninth with teammate Arvid Lindblad 10th as Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Isack Hadjar suffered reliability issues the whole day to finish off the pace.

“Great day overall with both cars in Q3,” commented Lawson. “Didn’t do a very good job and probably lost a place there to Pierre (Gasly). Frustrating but and important day and we will push tomorrow.”