News Summary
- Max Verstappen will be investigated by the FIA for a possible yellow-flag infringement during Singapore GP sprint qualifying.
- Lewis Hamilton reported over team radio that Verstappen overtook him while yellow flags were displayed.
- The incident occurred following Sergio Pérez’s collision with the barriers, which left debris on the circuit and interrupted the session.
Max Verstappen faces an investigation by the FIA after Lewis Hamilton accused the Red Bull driver of overtaking him under yellow flags during sprint qualifying for the Singapore GP on Friday, October 9.
The incident occurred shortly after Sergio Pérez struck the barriers at Marina Bay, damaging the front wing of his Cadillac and leaving debris on the track. Yellow flags were displayed while officials dealt with the incident, before the session was interrupted by a red flag.
Hamilton reported over Ferrari team radio that Verstappen had passed him during the yellow-flag period.
“Max overtook me under yellow flag,” the seven-time world champion said.
The FIA subsequently noted Verstappen for a possible yellow-flag infringement, with the incident scheduled to be investigated after sprint qualifying.
Verstappen faces FIA investigation after Pérez crash
Pérez’s accident disrupted the opening phase of sprint qualifying after the Mexican struck the barriers near Turns 4 and 5.
The Cadillac driver managed to reverse away from the wall and return to the pit lane, but debris from his damaged front wing remained on the circuit.
Race control initially displayed yellow flags before suspending the session to allow marshals to clear the track.
During that period, Hamilton reported that Verstappen had overtaken him despite the warning flags.
The FIA subsequently confirmed that the Red Bull driver had been noted for a possible infringement, with officials planning to review the circumstances after the session.
The investigation will need to establish where the alleged overtake occurred, which flags were displayed and whether Verstappen complied with the relevant sporting regulations.
What penalty could Verstappen face?
Formula 1’s regulations prohibit overtaking under yellow flags except in specific circumstances, such as when another car has clearly slowed because of a problem.
A confirmed infringement can result in a grid penalty or other sporting sanction, depending on the circumstances and the stewards’ assessment.
However, Verstappen has not been found guilty of an infringement, and the FIA has not announced a penalty.
Any decision could affect his starting position for Saturday’s sprint, depending on the sanction imposed and how the stewards apply it.
The complete Singapore GP schedule, including sprint qualifying and broadcast information is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO‘s weekend guide. GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.
Singapore GP 2026: F1 schedule and start times
The 2026 Singapore GP takes place from October 9-11 at Marina Bay, featuring a sprint weekend with five Formula 1 sessions. See the start times for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand.
| Session | UK (BST) | US/Canada (ET) | India (IST) | Australia (AEDT) | New Zealand (NZDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 10 | |||||
| Sprint | 10:00 | 05:00 | 14:30 | 20:00 | 22:00 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 14:00 | 09:00 | 18:30 | Sun 00:00 | Sun 02:00 |
| Sunday, October 11 | |||||
| Grand Prix | 13:00 | 08:00 | 17:30 | 23:00 | Mon 01:00 |
All times are local to each listed region. Australia refers to Sydney/Melbourne time (AEDT), New Zealand to Auckland/Wellington (NZDT), and ET to New York/Toronto. Dates are the same as Singapore unless otherwise indicated.
For additional details, see the complete Singapore GP schedule and how to watch. GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the latest Formula 1 news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is Singapore GP sprint qualifying today?
Sprint qualifying starts at 20:30 Singapore time on Friday, October 9, equivalent to 13:30 BST in the UK, 08:30 ET in the United States and Canada, and 18:00 IST in India. The session determines the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint.
Who was fastest in Singapore GP FP1?
George Russell topped FP1 with a 1:32.274, driving Mercedes’ older W17 aerodynamic specification. Charles Leclerc finished second, 0.198s behind, followed by Lando Norris in third. Kimi Antonelli was seventh with the upgraded Mercedes, while Gabriel Bortoleto finished 16th.
Why is George Russell using the old Mercedes at the Singapore GP?
Mercedes is comparing its previous W17 specification with the aerodynamic upgrade introduced at Sepang. Russell is using the older package, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli retains the new version. Russell led FP1, but differences in tyre compounds and run programmes mean the result alone does not establish which specification is faster.
Why is Max Verstappen under investigation in Singapore?
The FIA is investigating a possible yellow-flag infringement after Lewis Hamilton reported that Verstappen overtook him during sprint qualifying while yellow flags were displayed.
