Verstappen wins Singapore Grand Prix after winning Sprint race

Max Verstappen claimed his first Singapore Grand Prix victory at Marina Bay after winning Saturday’s Sprint and taking pole position for Sunday’s race.

The Red Bull driver had never won or started from pole at the Singapore street circuit before, but he ended that run with a strong weekend that also included his first Sprint victory of the 2026 season.

Verstappen began by beating George Russell to pole in Sprint qualifying, finishing 0.120 seconds ahead of the Mercedes driver. Charles Leclerc qualified third for Ferrari.

Russell briefly took the lead at the start of the rain-affected Sprint but crashed out at the end of the opening lap. 

Verstappen took control and held off Lewis Hamilton to win by 2.591 seconds, with Leclerc finishing third.

The result gave Verstappen his first Sprint win of the season and his first victory at Marina Bay. He carried that form into Grand Prix qualifying, beating Leclerc by less than a second to secure his 50th career pole position. Hamilton qualified third, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli started fourth.

Verstappen then led from start to finish in Sunday’s race, crossing the line around seven seconds ahead of Leclerc. Antonelli completed the podium in third place, giving Red Bull a win to go with its Sprint victory and Grand Prix pole.

The victory also followed Verstappen’s win at the Malaysian Grand Prix, giving him consecutive Grand Prix wins as Red Bull looks to finish the season strongly. 

His Singapore result adds pressure to Antonelli’s position at the top of the drivers’ standings, although the Mercedes driver remains in control of the championship.

That changed with a weekend in which Verstappen won the Sprint, secured Grand Prix pole and took his first Singapore Grand Prix victory. 

The result gives Red Bull another win in the season’s closing stages and strengthens Verstappen’s bid to finish the year on a high.