While Max Verstappen clinched victory in a dramatic, rain-delayed Singapore GP Sprint, the podium sitters arrived in the media pen with starkly different feelings.
Heavy rainfall delayed the scheduled start by 30 minutes, creating severe standing water across the street circuit.
When lights finally went out, Russell launched past pole-sitter Verstappen into Turn 1, while Lewis Hamilton sliced through the spray to climb into third.
However, Russell’s lead vanished before the opening lap concluded. The Mercedes driver touched a slippery white line exiting the final corner, spun into the pit wall, and triggered a Safety Car.
Verstappen inherited the lead upon the restart on Lap 6 and maintained a comfortable gap for most of the distance.
Despite late concerns over a turbo issue that allowed Hamilton to close the distance, the Red Bull driver held on to take the checkered flag ahead of Hamilton, while Charles Leclerc salvaged third following a chaotic last-lap collision between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The podium sitters react to the Singapore GP Sprint
After the race, Verstappen remained focused on fixing Red Bull’s ongoing getaway troubles ahead of the main Grand Prix.
“The start was horrendous again, so that is something we need to improve on as if that happens tomorrow, that is your race over,” Verstappen acknowledged. “We just tried to bring it home, it is great to win in the Sprint but of course I want to win tomorrow in the Grand Prix.”
Hamilton celebrated his charge from sixth on the grid to second place, crediting his affinity for wet-weather driving.
“I mean I had a mega start which was awesome. I love driving this track in the rain, so as soon as the heavens opened I knew this would be a great day,” Hamilton said. “It is a tough track to overtake.”
“We showed we have a good car, if we can do slightly better in Qualifying, get both cars up there, we can apply pressure to both Mercedes and Red Bull.”
Leclerc fought off late pressure to complete a double podium for Ferrari, admitting a bold setup choice backfired as the track dried.
“I mean I struggled a lot from mid-race onwards. I went for quite an aggressive balance compared to normal, but when it dried up I was nowhere,” Leclerc revealed.
“I knew I needed a good exit out of Turn 5… I checked in my mirrors and saw the red lights of the back of the cars, so I knew something happened. Kimi was also strong at the end, we just didn’t have the pace.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen wins Singapore Sprint amid George Russell and McLaren crash chaos
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