Verstappen wins rain-hit Singapore Sprint after Russell crash and McLaren collision

Max Verstappen won the 20-lap Singapore Sprint on Saturday after heavy rain delayed the start by about 30 minutes. The race produced a lead-changing crash on lap one and a late collision between McLaren team-mates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. George Russell made the stronger launch from the second spot on the grid and took the lead into Turn 1, but lost control at the final corner of the opening lap and crashed out. Verstappen inherited first place and held it through the restart, finishing 2.591 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc completed the podium, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli fourth. The final lap changed the McLaren result: Norris tried to pass Piastri at Turn 5, the pair made contact and spun, and Norris finished eighth. Piastri did not complete the final lap but was classified 14th. The FIA’s classification records eight retirements in the sprint, including Russell, Sergio Pérez and Lance Stroll. The sprint is a separate short race; the Singapore Grand Prix itself is still scheduled for Sunday. Its unusual mix of wet-track risk, retirements and a team-mate collision gives the teams plenty to review before the main event. Source: [FIA race report and classification](https://api.fia.com/news/f1-verstappen-wins-rain-affected-singapore-sprint-russell-crashes-out-and-mclaren-pair-collide). Photo: FIA / DPPI. ~Sports