Singapore, October 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Max Verstappen won a rain-affected Singapore Grand Prix Sprint on Saturday after navigating challenging wet-to-dry conditions, while a late collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disrupted the podium battle. Mercedes driver George Russell also crashed out on the opening lap.
Verstappen started from pole position but lost the lead to Russell, who made a strong getaway on the slippery Marina Bay Street Circuit. Russell’s race ended at the final corner of the opening lap when he lost control and hit the concrete barriers.
The Red Bull driver regained the lead and maintained it through the Safety Car period, carefully managing his intermediate tyres as the track gradually dried. He held off Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to secure the Sprint victory after heavy rain had delayed the scheduled start by 30 minutes.
Hamilton finished second after an impressive opening move lifted him from sixth to third. Russell’s retirement helped him gain another position, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc secured third place.
The decisive incident came in the closing stages when Norris attempted to overtake Piastri at Turn 5. The McLaren teammates collided and spun, damaging their chances of a podium finish. Norris recovered to finish eighth, while Piastri was classified 14th, a lap behind, after losing 10 positions in the incident.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fourth, ahead of Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, Haas driver Ollie Bearman and Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg.
Heavy Rain Delays Start
The race was postponed after heavy rainfall left standing water across several sections of the circuit, particularly around Turns 2 and 3.
Following inspections by the Medical Car, the FIA delayed the start and sent the field out for formation laps before opting for a standing start on intermediate tyres.
Russell overtook Verstappen through the first corner, while Hamilton surged past Leclerc and the two McLaren drivers to move into third. The race then quickly turned chaotic, with several incidents forcing drivers out.
Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll collided under braking at Turn 16. Stroll was forced to retire, while Perez managed to return to the pits. Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto also withdrew during the early laps.
Another incident involved Williams driver Alex Albon, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas. Bortoleto and Bottas retired, while Albon initially continued before eventually withdrawing late in the race.
Verstappen Controls the Race as McLaren Collision Changes Podium
As the circuit dried, Verstappen gradually extended his advantage over Hamilton. Leclerc came under increasing pressure from Norris and Piastri, with the Ferrari driver reporting significant wear on his front tyres.
Changing track conditions made the decision to switch to slick tyres difficult for the leading drivers. The McLaren collision ultimately allowed Leclerc to retain third place, while Antonelli’s fourth-place finish strengthened his position in the championship battle.
Russell, meanwhile, lost valuable points following his early retirement and fell further behind his Mercedes teammate.
Pierre Gasly finished ninth for Alpine. He was followed by Haas driver Esteban Ocon, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Verstappen had secured Sprint pole during Friday’s qualifying session, beating Russell, Leclerc and Piastri. He was cleared of a potential grid penalty following a review of a yellow-flag incident during the first part of qualifying.
The stewards also confirmed that no further action would be taken over Hamilton’s alleged yellow-flag infringement during the Sprint. The three-car collision involving Albon, Bortoleto and Bottas was scheduled for review after the race.
FOLLOW NOW
