Singapore GP: Verstappen wins dramatic Sprint as Russell crashes

Max Verstappen converted pole position into victory in Saturday’s Singapore Grand Prix Sprint, capitalising on George Russell’s early crash before a late collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri turned the closing lap into a nightmare for the papaya squad.

A heavy downpour drenched the Marina Bay grid 15 minutes before the scheduled start, forcing officials to delay proceedings by 30 minutes because of standing water at Turns 2 and 3. With sections of the circuit remaining dry, all 22 drivers eventually started on intermediate tyres after two formation laps.

Russell made a lightning getaway from the front row to snatch the lead from Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton surged from sixth to third. Charles Leclerc, Piastri and Norris followed.

• Singapore Grand Prix: Sprint Race Results

However, Russell’s advantage lasted barely a lap. The Mercedes driver lost control over the kerb at the final corner and spun into the inside wall, triggering a Safety Car.

There was further drama as Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez collided at Turn 16, leaving the Aston Martin stranded against the barriers. Isack Hadjar also retired with an engine-braking problem, while Franco Colapinto later exited with a technical issue.

Verstappen pulls clear

After five laps behind the Safety Car, Verstappen controlled the restart, with Oliver Bearman grabbing eighth from Pierre Gasly following an entertaining wheel-to-wheel battle. Gasly subsequently lost further ground, complaining of being forced wide by Nico Hulkenberg, although the stewards declined to intervene.

Hamilton initially kept Verstappen honest, remaining within 1.4 seconds through lap 11. But as the race progressed, the Red Bull driver steadily disappeared into the distance, stretching his advantage to three seconds by lap 13 and five seconds three laps later.

Tyre management became increasingly critical as the intermediate rubber deteriorated on the predominantly dry track. Leclerc complained that his front tyres were “destroyed”, allowing the pursuing McLarens and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli to close in during the final laps.

McLaren's double disaster

The decisive drama arrived on the final lap when Norris dived down the inside of Piastri. The teammates made contact and spun, dropping the reigning world champion to eighth and forcing the Australian into retirement. McLaren consequently surrendered eight valuable points.

Up front, Verstappen recovered from the late pressure to secure victory by 2.6 seconds over Hamilton, with Leclerc holding on for third.

Antonelli inherited fourth ahead of Liam Lawson, Bearman and Hulkenberg, while McLaren was left to contemplate a costly end to an otherwise competitive Sprint.

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