{"id":3701,"date":"2026-10-10T06:46:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T09:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=3701"},"modified":"2026-10-10T06:53:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T09:53:32","slug":"russell-crashes-out-of-singapore-f1-sprint-after-overtaking-verstappen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/russell-crashes-out-of-singapore-f1-sprint-after-overtaking-verstappen\/","title":{"rendered":"Russell crashes out of Singapore F1 sprint after overtaking Verstappen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video class=\"video-js vjs-big-play-centered\" data-gp-vjs=\"1\" controls src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio-portal.b-cdn.net\/2026\/10\/Russell-Sprint-Singapur-ES.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Russell snatches Singapore sprint lead from Verstappen \u2014 then crashes out on lap 2 (Video: F1TV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>George Russell overtook Max Verstappen at the start of the Singapore GP sprint<\/strong>, but crashed out on the second lap.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Mercedes driver lost control after touching the kerb at the final corner and struck the barriers, triggering a safety car.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lance Stroll also retired<\/strong>, while Sergio P\u00e9rez returned to the pits for a replacement front wing as the field was directed through the pit lane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">George Russell&#8217;s Singapore GP sprint ended in dramatic fashion on Saturday, October 10, after <strong>the Mercedes driver overtook pole-sitter Max Verstappen for the lead at the start, only to crash into the barriers on the second lap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Briton had made an excellent getaway in difficult conditions at Marina Bay, moving ahead of Verstappen after the race was delayed by heavy rain. However, Russell lost control at the final corner on lap two, spinning across the track and making contact with the wall near the main straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Russell climbed out of the damaged Mercedes uninjured<\/strong>, but his retirement triggered a safety car and brought an immediate end to his opportunity to recover championship points from teammate Kimi Antonelli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"F1 2026, SINGAPURA, MARINA BAY, SPRINT, MERCEDES, GEORGE RUSSELL, BATIDA\" class=\"wp-image-1020317693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-sprint-marina-bay-mercedes-george-russell-batida-2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">George Russell (Photo: F1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Russell loses control after taking lead from Verstappen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russell had started second after narrowly missing sprint pole to Verstappen during Friday&#8217;s qualifying session. The Mercedes driver was just 0.120s behind the Red Bull in SQ3, having returned to the team&#8217;s older aerodynamic specification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Briton made the stronger start and moved ahead of Verstappen, taking control of the race despite the challenging wet conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His advantage lasted only until the second lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Replays showed <strong>Russell touching the kerb at the final corner before the Mercedes spun and struck the barriers<\/strong>. The impact damaged the car and left it stranded, forcing race control to deploy the safety car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russell was able to leave the cockpit without assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The accident came after <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/russell-puts-old-mercedes-on-top-in-singapore-fp1-as-antonelli-finishes-seventh\/\">Russell qualified second with Mercedes&#8217; older aerodynamic package<\/a><\/strong>, which had proved competitive throughout Friday&#8217;s running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heavy rain had already delayed Singapore sprint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race had originally been scheduled to start at 17:00 local time, but heavy rainfall left standing water around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, particularly between Turns 2 and 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FIA delayed the start after inspecting the circuit, eventually scheduling the formation lap for 17:30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Two formation laps were completed before the race began<\/strong>, with drivers facing a wet surface and limited visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The conditions created a particularly difficult challenge at Marina Bay, where the barriers are close to the racing line and kerbs can become treacherous in heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russell&#8217;s accident brought another interruption almost immediately after the delayed start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stroll retires as P\u00e9rez returns for repairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russell was not the only driver to encounter problems during the opening laps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lance Stroll also retired after stopping in the final sector with damage<\/strong>, bringing Aston Martin&#8217;s sprint to an early end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sergio P\u00e9rez, meanwhile, returned to the Cadillac garage for a replacement front wing after suffering damage during the opening exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Race control directed the remaining cars through the pit lane behind the safety car while officials dealt with Russell&#8217;s damaged Mercedes and the incidents around the circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The interruptions followed a difficult Friday for P\u00e9rez, who had already <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/video-perez-crashes-into-singapore-barriers-and-triggers-red-flag-in-f1-sprint-qualifying\/\">hit the barriers during sprint qualifying and caused a red flag<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Russell retirement affects Mercedes title battle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russell arrived in Singapore <strong>84 points behind Antonelli in the Drivers&#8217; Championship<\/strong>, having already lost valuable ground after an engine failure forced his retirement at Sepang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Briton had hoped to use the sprint to reduce the gap, particularly because his separate power-unit grid penalty applies to Sunday&#8217;s Grand Prix rather than Saturday&#8217;s shorter race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting second offered Russell an opportunity to score up to eight points, while Antonelli qualified seventh after struggling with Mercedes&#8217; updated aerodynamic specification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship leader had described the newer W17 as difficult to understand, while Russell appeared more comfortable with the previous configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russell&#8217;s retirement means <strong>he will score no points in the Singapore sprint<\/strong>, leaving Antonelli with an opportunity to extend his advantage if he finishes among the top eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/singapore-gp-2026-f1-start-times-sprint-schedule-and-how-to-watch\/\">complete Singapore GP schedule, including sprint and broadcast information<\/a><\/strong> is available in <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong>&#8216;s weekend guide. <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> follows the latest <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1<\/a><\/strong> news throughout the Singapore GP weekend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>George Russell spins into the barriers moments after overtaking Max Verstappen for the lead, triggering a safety car in a rain-delayed Singapore sprint that also sees Lance Stroll retire<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020317691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"George Russell","42wp_featured_image_credits":"F1","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":31,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[17,64,16,248],"42wp_author":[31],"class_list":["post-3701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-george-russell","tag-max-verstappen","tag-mercedes","tag-singapore-gp","42wp_author-bernardo-castro"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3701"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3704,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3701\/revisions\/3704"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020317691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3701"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=3701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}