The last Sprint Race of the 2026 F1 season is about to begin, as drivers line up for the first racing leg of the Singapore GP. During Sprint Qualifying, latest race winner in Bahrain Max Verstappen had narrowly taken pole from Mercedes’ George Russell. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, sporting an upgraded version of the W17, only ended up in P7, and will have to perform a recovery drive to achieve a great final result.
Fifteen minutes before the race start, the FIA communicated a risk of precipitations in the session of 80%. Shortly after, rain began to pour in Singapore. While the intensity of the phenomenon decreased before the race start, a significant amount of water remained on track.
In fact, the FIA postponed the start of the 2026 F1 Singapore GP race for standing water, especially between Turn 2 and Turn 3. Five minutes after the supposed race start, the marshalls are hard at work trying to remove the outstanding water. Certain areas of the track already appear drier.
Another track recognition was performed at 5:15pm local time. Afterwards the formation lap was confirmed for half past five, as the drivers brace themselves for another damp session.
In particular, the entire grid will complete two formations laps behind the Safety Car in order to assess the on-track conditions. All drivers opted for inters. Piastri reported severe spray from the three cars ahead of him in the first sector, while Lawson from fifth mentioned that Turn 13 is completely dry.
The Race Director confirmed a standing start, allowing for the Safety Car to complete one more lap leading the grid and the drivers to stop in their starting position.
Sprint Race begins for the 2026 F1 Singapore GP
Hamilton slots into third at the start with an unbelievable launch from 6th on the grid, with Russell jumping Verstappen. The McLaren driver duo too fought to exchange places, but Norris was unsuccessful in getting by Piastri. Further back, Bearman overtakes Hadjar for 9th.
An unexpected moment opened the second Sprint Race lap. In fact, race leader George Russell crashed out, spinning back into the track on the start/finish straight. He ran over the kerb and white lines at the last turn, making contact with the outside wall.
A full Safety Car was immediately issued, with the following top ten: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Antonelli, Lawson, Gasly who would provisionally be the last driver to score, Bearman and Hulkenberg.
Stroll stopped in the final sector with damage, as Pérez pits for a new front wing but ultimately is forced to retire as well. The duo had collided beforehand as the Canadian turned in on him into Turn 16.
Hadjar also exited the Sprint Race at Turn 5, as he had a car issue.
Colapinto stops on lap 5, as Lindblad spins behind the Safety Car, dropping to P17.
The Spring Race resumes after the initial chaos
The 2026 F1 Singapore Sprint Race resumed on Lap 7. At the restart Bearman and Gasly fought for P8, with the Haas man ultimately passing the Alpine to secure a point.
The front runners remained the same as a yellow flag is briefly issued. Bottas confirmed he made contact with Bortoleto at the restart, and was forced to put to retire. Albon was involved in the situation as well as he clouted the Brazilian, forcing him to pit. However he was ultimately able to resume his day, unlike the Audi driver and the Cadillac man. Albon and Bortoleto are under investigation for the accident.
Audi’s Hülkenberg overtook Gasly with a bold but clean move which saw the Frenchman take to the Turn 1 run-off.
Former teammate Ocon overtakes Gasly as well, leaving him in P11 not far from Alonso’s P12. At the front, Hamilton tries to challenge Verstappen for P1, but is unsuccessful.
Late drama ensured
Throughout the 2026 F1 Sprint Race in Singapore, Antonelli has only gained a spot due to his teammate crashing out. By Lap 15, he has reduced his distance to reigning F1 champion Norris to only 0.787s.
The top eight remains the same: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Antonelli, Lawson and Bearman.
The earlier duel between Hülkenberg and Gasly was dismissed as a racing incident. By Lap 16, Verstappen has effectively shut down the Ferrari man’s attempts by developing a five seconds lead, with the Brit chipping off a second on Lap 17.
On the other side of the Scuderia Ferrari garage, Leclerc appears to be struggling with front tyre wear as his lead over Piastri drops to only one second. By Lap 18, the Monegasque is even closer to the McLaren duo, as only half a second separated the two papayas. Antonelli, not too far behind, assesses the situation.
Albon retires as well, as Gasly attempts to fight with Ocon for P10 but is unsuccessful.
Piastri and Norris collide on the final lap of the 2026 F1 Singapore Sprint Race, allowing Antonelli to jump up to P4! Replays show Norris attempting a move down the inside of his teammate, but ultimately sending into the wall, spinning himself in the process too.
Verstappen takes a rather dominant win Singapore, his first ever P1 at the Marina Bay circuit, from the Ferrari driver duo.
