Verstappen Sweeps Singapore GP Weekend as Russell's Sprint Crash and a Ferrari Strategy Fumble Define Marina Bay

VERSTAPPEN COMPLETES THE SWEEP

Max Verstappen won the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday, going lights-to-flag at Marina Bay for his first victory at the street circuit. The win came a day after he also took the Saturday sprint, giving the Red Bull driver a clean sweep of the weekend.

Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, 7.3 seconds behind, with Kimi Antonelli completing the podium in third for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, who started the race well placed for a strong finish, ended up sixth after Ferrari's strategy did not work in his favor.

RUSSELL'S SPRINT CRASH SETS THE TONE

The weekend's decisive moment arrived a day earlier, when George Russell crashed out of the lead of the sprint race in treacherous, rain-hit conditions. The sprint had already been delayed by around 30 minutes for torrential rain before Russell went off at the end of the opening lap, handing the lead and eventual win to Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton salvaged second in the sprint after starting sixth, with Leclerc third. McLaren's sprint ended in disappointment of its own making when Lando Norris collided with teammate Oscar Piastri on the final lap, eliminating both cars along with Alex Albon.

RUSSELL RECOVERS, ANTONELLI EXTENDS LEAD

After his sprint crash, Russell was handed a grid penalty that dropped him to 19th for the Sunday race. He fought back to finish ninth, limiting the damage to his championship position.

Antonelli's third-place finish in the race, on top of his sprint points, stretched his lead in the drivers' standings. He had already extended his advantage over Russell to 89 points after the sprint alone, and Sunday's result pushed that gap further out with the season entering its closing stretch.

A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR FERRARI

Ferrari had looked capable of a stronger result through practice and qualifying, but a muddled strategy call cost Hamilton track position during the race and left him well off the podium pace he had shown in earlier sessions. Leclerc's second place was some consolation, but team principal questions over strategy calls are likely to follow the team into the next round.