Verstappen conquers Singapore: Red Bull star completes Sprint and Grand Prix double

The first Singapore Sprint in Formula 1 history immediately delivered the sort of unpredictable action the format promises.

Heavy rain swept across Marina Bay before the scheduled start, leaving standing water in places and forcing a 30-minute delay. The field eventually got underway on intermediate tyres, with conditions varying considerably around the unforgiving street circuit.

George Russell made an excellent start from the front row and surged past polesitter Verstappen to take the lead. However, his advantage lasted only until the final corner of the opening lap, where the Mercedes driver crashed out.

Verstappen inherited the lead and took full advantage, managing his tyres as the circuit gradually dried. Behind him, Lewis Hamilton produced an impressive performance for Ferrari, climbing from sixth on the grid to challenge at the front.

The closing stages brought further drama when McLaren team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided while battling for position. Both spun, with Norris recovering to finish eighth and Piastri dropping to 14th, a lap down.

The incident reshuffled the order and helped Antonelli secure valuable championship points with fourth place.

Verstappen took the chequered flag 2.591 seconds ahead of Hamilton, with Leclerc completing the podium.

If Saturday was about survival and seizing opportunities, Sunday’s 62-lap Grand Prix was a demonstration of control.

Starting from pole position, Verstappen faced an immediate challenge from Leclerc, who reacted sharply to the lights and threatened to draw alongside into the opening corner. The Red Bull driver defended his position and emerged from the opening exchanges in front.

Once established in the lead, Verstappen began to build a gap, managing his soft tyres while Ferrari looked for an opportunity to apply strategic pressure.

The pit-stop phase became a crucial part of the contest. Ferrari brought Hamilton in before Leclerc, with the team-mates’ relative pace and strategy creating an internal battle for position. Verstappen eventually stopped on lap 33 and returned to the track still comfortably in front.

Even radio communication problems failed to derail his afternoon. Red Bull resorted to alternative communication methods, including using the pit board, as Verstappen continued to control the race.

A Virtual Safety Car period followed Lance Stroll’s retirement with a clutch problem, creating another strategic opportunity for the teams. However, the interruption did little to threaten Verstappen’s advantage.

At the front, the Dutchman remained composed and crossed the line to claim his 73rd career Grand Prix victory on his 250th Grand Prix start.

Leclerc secured second place after moving ahead of Hamilton during the latter stages of the race. The Monegasque driver delivered a solid result for Ferrari, although he was unable to mount a serious challenge to Verstappen’s commanding lead.

Hamilton’s race became increasingly difficult as his tyre performance deteriorated. After starting third, the seven-time world champion slipped down the order in the closing laps.

Norris found a way past, and Antonelli subsequently moved ahead of Hamilton to take the final podium position. Piastri also overtook the Ferrari on the final lap, leaving Hamilton sixth.

It was a frustrating conclusion for Hamilton after his excellent Sprint performance, but Leclerc’s second place gave Ferrari a strong result from the main race.

Antonelli’s third-place finish was another major milestone in an increasingly impressive season for the Mercedes driver.

The Italian secured his 14th podium of the campaign and extended his championship advantage over team-mate Russell to 102 points.

His performance was particularly valuable after Russell’s early Sprint retirement and difficult Grand Prix, with the British driver finishing ninth after starting from the back because of engine penalties.

Antonelli’s consistency is now bringing the prospect of a maiden world championship into sharper focus. He could mathematically secure the title at the next round in Austin, depending on the results.

For Mercedes, the contrasting fortunes of its two drivers underlined how quickly a weekend can change in Formula 1.

Singapore’s new Sprint format delivered an immediate spectacle, with changing weather, a first-lap crash, multiple retirements and a collision between team-mates ensuring there was little room for error.

Yet the weekend ultimately belonged to Verstappen.

His Sprint victory demonstrated his ability to adapt to difficult conditions and capitalise when rivals made mistakes. His Sunday performance was equally impressive, combining a strong start, effective tyre management and a controlled pit-stop strategy to secure a victory that never looked seriously threatened once he had established his lead.

Ferrari left Singapore with a Sprint podium for Hamilton and a Grand Prix runner-up finish for Leclerc. Antonelli, meanwhile, continued to strengthen his position at the top of the championship.

For McLaren, the collision between Norris and Piastri will inevitably raise questions about how the team manages its drivers when valuable points are at stake.

Singapore has always demanded precision, patience and concentration. In 2026, the addition of a Sprint race raised the stakes further, and the weekend delivered action across both competitive events.

Verstappen leaves Marina Bay with maximum momentum, while the championship battle heads towards Austin with Antonelli in a commanding position.