Max Verstappen has won the Singapore sprint. After taking sprint pole on Friday and waiting through yet another delayed wet start, Verstappen lost the lead to George Russell off the start. Russell crashed out after just one lap, handing the lead back to Verstappen, who steadily streaked away from the field to take his 14th career sprint win. Having proven Red Bull’s one-lap advantage yesterday, Verstappen is now well placed to gun for pole position later today.
Behind him, Lewis Hamilton had a fine run to second. After starting only sixth, Hamilton got a good launch and moved into third by the first corner. He also benefited from Russell’s retirement, and while he couldn't make inroads into Verstappen’s lead, Hamilton drew away from his teammate Charles Leclerc and secured a valuable second.
Leclerc couldn’t keep his teammate at bay and spent much of the sprint in third. Leclerc later admitted to opting for a “softer” front end which, although helpful in the wet, became a hindrance as the track began to dry. Leclerc reported losing grip on his front tyres and came under serious threat from the two McLarens in the closing stages. A reprieve came on the very last lap when an optimistic lunge by Lando Norris resulted in contact with his teammate, Oscar Piastri. Norris limped home in eighth, while Piastri failed to finish.
Kimi Antonelli was the first to take advantage. After spending much of the sprint right behind the McLarens in sixth, Antonelli avoided trouble and eventually finished fourth. With Russell out, the 20-year-old has extended his championship lead to 89 points. Liam Lawson had another quiet but commendable run and finished fifth, while Ollie Bearman pulled off an aggressive move on Pierre Gasly on lap one en route to sixth. Nico Hulkenberg survived a skirmish with Gasly to take seventh, his fourth points finish in the last seven Grand Prix weekends.
Behind Norris was Gasly, who finished ahead of Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. Arvid Lindblad spun off behind the safety car on lap two and eventually finished 14th.
Alex Albon collided with Gabriel Bortoleto on lap six and retired on lap 14. Bortoleto was forced out of contention, as was Valtteri Bottas. As was the case in Malaysia, the wet conditions caused a series of questionable mechanical failures. Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto were the most noteworthy casualties. Sergio Perez’s troubled weekend continued as he crashed into Lance Stroll on the opening lap.
It’s been a treacherous start to the day; the only constant has been Max Verstappen and Red Bull's continued progress. But if Ferrari’s early pace is any indication, Verstappen should have plenty to worry about as he heads into qualifying.
