Source: Official Team Post via X
Verstappen Triumphs in Eventful Singapore Sprint as McLarens Clash
Max Verstappen navigated a tricky Singapore Sprint to claim victory, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The race was marred by a dramatic collision between McLaren teammates, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, on the final lap.
Round 17 of the 2026 Formula 1 season saw the F1 Sprint take place in the unpredictable conditions of Singapore. Max Verstappen emerged victorious, managing to stay clear of the chaos behind him. The Red Bull driver finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, who rounded out the podium.
The race began under challenging circumstances, with heavy rain delaying the start and leaving the track in a tricky state. Despite this, Verstappen kept his cool, unlike many others who were caught up in various incidents.
The McLaren camp had a particularly difficult day, with teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri colliding on the final lap. Norris managed to cling to eighth place, but Piastri was not so fortunate, ending his race in the barriers. "The move was on," said a defiant Norris, while Piastri was surprisingly sanguine about the incident, noting it was "a lot of work for the team to get both cars fixed."
Elsewhere, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson benefited from the McLaren misfortune, finishing fifth, while Oliver Bearman for Haas and Nico Hulkenberg for Audi also capitalized on the situation to score points.
The stewards had their hands full post-race, with incidents involving Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, as well as Albon and Bortoleto's moments, under review. Meanwhile, George Russell's day was compounded by grid penalties, although whether this will affect his starting position remains to be seen.
Max Verstappen acknowledged the need to improve his starts, saying, "The start was horrendous again, so that is something we need to improve on." He was satisfied with the Sprint win but clearly has his sights set on the main prize: the Grand Prix victory.
Lewis Hamilton was in high spirits after a strong start, saying, "I had a mega start which was awesome. I love driving this track in the rain." He remains optimistic about Ferrari's chances if they can secure a strong grid position for the main race.
Charles Leclerc admitted to struggling mid-race, noting that his aggressive setup didn't pay off as the track dried. Despite this, he managed to hold on for third place, albeit narrowly.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli quietly avoided the drama around him to finish fourth, keeping his lead over Russell in the drivers' standings.
As we look ahead to the main event, the teams are busy repairing damaged cars and strategizing for the Grand Prix. With the weather adding an unpredictable element, it promises to be another thrilling day in Singapore.