Verstappen wins chaotic wet Singapore F1 Sprint as Russell crashes out of the lead

Max Verstappen of Red Bull won a dramatic, rain-hit Formula 1 Sprint at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday 10 October 2026, Round 17 of the world championship. A pre-race downpour left the Singapore track treacherous, and polesitter George Russell initially passed Verstappen at the start before crashing out on the opening lap, handing the Dutchman the lead he would not surrender. Behind them the two McLarens tangled and both suffered damage, further reshuffling the order. Lewis Hamilton produced a 'mega start' for Ferrari and climbed to second, finishing 2.591 seconds behind Verstappen, while Charles Leclerc completed the top three. Later the same day Verstappen also claimed pole position for Sunday's main grand prix, beating Leclerc in a tense qualifying session that kept his late-season title run alive. The result reignited debate about Russell's wet-weather judgement and McLaren's intra-team management, and left Red Bull as the biggest winners of a sprint weekend that was expected to favour their rivals. Rain, safety-car periods and a tight street layout combined to make Singapore one of the most incident-packed Sprint races of the season.