Russell crashes out of Singapore sprint lead after passing Verstappen on lap one

George Russell’s Singapore GP sprint lasted barely two laps on Saturday, the Mercedes driver crashing out of the lead after a promising start on a rain-soaked Marina Bay Circuit.

Following a delay caused by a sudden downpour, Russell made the most of the wet conditions at the rolling start, passing pole-sitter Max Verstappen on the inside into Turn 1 to seize the lead. His advantage was short-lived. On lap two, Russell lost control over the white line in the final corner, sending his Mercedes into the pit wall on the inside. He was fortunate to avoid being collected by oncoming traffic as the car slid sideways across the road before coming to rest on the outside of the start-finish straight.

The crash brought out the safety car, with Verstappen resuming the lead during the neutralisation period. Lewis Hamilton, who had charged from sixth on the grid, sat second ahead of Charles Leclerc when racing was halted.

The incident was not the only drama of the opening laps. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez made contact at Turn 4, eliminating both drivers. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar also retired, appearing to suffer a power unit problem, while Alpine’s Franco Colapinto was another early casualty. Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad survived a spin but dropped to 17th and last of the remaining runners.

With Russell out and Verstappen leading, Hamilton’s strong getaway left him well-placed to challenge for a podium once the race resumed, though the chaotic opening exchanges had already reshaped the order significantly.