Max Verstappen scored his first victory in a Formula 1 event in Singapore in a rain-hit sprint race.
The Red Bull driver lost his lead from pole position immediately after the start to George Russell. But the Mercedes driver spun into the pit wall as the second lap began, ending his race and bringing out of the Safety Car.The race start was delayed for half an hour after a downpour hit the track. It continued to dry out as the field circulated for six laps behind the Safety Car, its presence prolonged by a series of other incidents.
Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin was in a barrier at turn 16 following contact with Sergio Perez. Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto retired during the interruption, the latter’s car abruptly stopping on-track with a sudden technical failure.
When the race restarted, Verstappen drove away from Lewis Hamilton, who had gained three places with a brilliant start. Verstappen steadily drew clear over the rest of the 20-lap race.
Charles Leclerc began to struggle with his tyres over the final laps but hung on. As he dropped back, that pushed Oscar Piastri back into the clutches of his team mate Lando Norris, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli close behind.
On the final lap, Norris dived down the inside of Piastri at turn five, but the gap closed. The two McLarens collided, Piastri’s making light contact with the barrier on the outside.
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Norris continued but dropped down to eighth place. A grateful Antonelli picked up two places, as did Liam Lawson.
Oliver Bearman and Nico Hulkenberg made two of the race’s few passes, on Pierre Gasly, and were rewarded with sixth and seventh places respectively. Norris recovered to take the final point in eighth but is under investigation for the collision.
Eight drivers were not running at the finish. Alexander Albon ran into the back of Gabriel Bortoleto at the restart, triggering a collision which also involved Valtteri Bottas. The trio all retired, Albon after continuing for much of the race. Albon is under investigation for the incident, as is Arvid Lindblad for driving in the wrong direction after he spun his Racing Bulls during the Safety Car period.
The start of qualifying has been delayed to 9:30pm local time