Verstappen Wins Chaotic Rain-Hit Singapore Sprint as Russell Crashes From the Lead
A half-hour rain delay, a Russell crash on the opening lap and a McLaren-on-McLaren collision — Verstappen quietly banked his second win in a row at Marina Bay.
Photo: Liauzh, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Singapore’s Marina Bay proved once again that the kerbs aren’t the only thing that bites — the rain can be just as vicious. The Sprint brought a half-hour delay for a flooded track, a George Russell crash just seconds after he’d taken the lead, and a McLaren-on-McLaren collision, while Max Verstappen quietly banked his second win in a row.
Rain, Standing Water and a Half-Hour Wait
A downpour before the race soaked the first and third sectors while the middle stayed merely damp. Standing water at Turns 2 and 3 brought the Medical Car out to inspect the track, pushing the start back roughly 30 minutes. Every driver lined up on intermediates, and the field needed at least two formation laps before a standing start was finally given.
Russell Leads, Then Russell’s Gone
George Russell got a clean launch and passed Verstappen into Turn 1 to take the lead. The joy lasted less than a lap: exiting the final corner, he lost the rear, slid across the track and hit the wall. “I’m fine. Sorry, sorry, sorry,” he said over the radio — sounding more sorry about the result than about himself.
A Pile-Up Behind the Safety Car
Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll collided under braking for Turn 16 and both were out on the spot. Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto stopped early, while Arvid Lindblad spun under yellow flags and dropped to last. At the restart, a three-car incident swallowed Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas — the latter two retired immediately, while Albon soldiered on before retiring himself later in the race. Stewards are investigating the Williams rear-ending Bottas’ Audi.
McLaren’s Self-Inflicted Wound
With Leclerc’s front tyres cooked, Piastri and Norris were closing fast behind him. Norris attacked his own teammate into Turn 5 — contact, and Piastri spun. The incident cost him ten places (he finished 14th, a lap down), while Norris himself dropped to eighth.
Verstappen crossed the line first in 39:48.162, ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari (+2.591s) and Charles Leclerc (+16.871s). Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and stretched his championship lead, while a pointless Russell now trails the Italian by 89 points. “The start was horrendous again,” Verstappen admitted. “In the race that would have cost me everything. I’m happy to win this one, but it’s Sunday’s I want.”
Based on reporting by Formula1.com.
