Verstappen wins rain-delayed Singapore sprint after Russell crash

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix sprint on Saturday after George Russell crashed out of the lead on the opening lap, in a race delayed by heavy rain and marked by a final-lap collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The start was held for about 30 minutes because of heavy rain and standing water on parts of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. After the race began, Russell passed pole-sitter Verstappen and took the lead, but lost control at the final corner and hit the wall as the opening lap ended. He retired, and the safety car was deployed. Verstappen led after the restart and went on to win. Lewis Hamilton finished second, while Charles Leclerc was reported in third. The reports differ over Piastri’s final status: some say he retired after the collision, while another lists him as third. The supplied accounts do not establish an official classification resolving that difference. The McLaren drivers made contact on the final lap as Norris tried to pass Piastri at Turn 5. Norris continued and finished eighth, but the incident was under investigation.