2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Qualifying Grid Set and Sprint Race Won by Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen clinched pole in Singapore qualifying and turned his advantage into a sprint win, while the Indian fan‑base can catch the race live on FanCode at 9:00 pm IST.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix weekend kicked off with a dramatic qualifying session on Saturday night, where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured pole position with a blistering lap of 1:36.842, according to the live coverage on Formula1.com. Verstappen edged out his teammate Sergio Pérez by just 0.124 seconds, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three on the grid.
Following qualifying, the sprint race – a 100‑km dash that determines the weekend’s starting order – delivered a thrilling showdown. Crash.net reported that Verstappen converted his pole into a sprint victory, finishing ahead of Pérez and Leclerc. The Red Bull driver posted a race time of 27:14.567, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the 23‑lap sprint. The result not only gave Verstappen three valuable championship points but also cemented his front‑row start for the main Grand Prix on Sunday.Other notable performances included McLaren’s Lando Norris, who climbed from eighth on the grid to finish fourth in the sprint, showcasing the team’s improving pace on the street circuit. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon secured his first points of the season by finishing sixth, while the home‑grown interest from Indian fans was reflected in the strong viewership numbers on FanCode, the official streaming partner for the Indian sub‑continent.
For India: The main race will start at 9:00 pm IST on Sunday, 23 October, and will be broadcast live on FanCode with a pre‑race analysis show at 8:30 pm IST. Indian viewers can also follow live timing and team radio on the official F1 app, which offers a dedicated Hindi commentary feed. The race will be the first night event of the season, promising a spectacular backdrop of Marina Bay’s skyline and a chance for Indian fans to see the lights‑out spectacle from the comfort of their homes.
Source: Formula1.com