F1: one-two for Verstappen in Singapore, he wins the sprint then takes pole

One-two from Max Verstappen in Singapore. The Dutchman from Red Bull won the sprint race ahead of the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, then did it again in qualifying for tomorrow's long race.

In the sprint, fourth place went to Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), world championship leader, who took advantage of the double error of the McLaren drivers, who came into contact a few corners from the finish line, while they were fourth and fifth. Thanks to George Russell's accident shortly after the start, the Bolognese climbs +89 points over his teammate in the World Championship standings.

"I suffered from mid-race onwards - said Leclerc -, I had chosen a rather aggressive balance. I was weak especially in the right-hand corners". Hamilton "I tried to get close to Max, put pressure on him, but then I realized that I was struggling, the rear started to overheat a bit. Red Bull and Mercedes are fast, but tomorrow we can try to annoy them".

"I made a horrible start, then I had a bit of luck with George's accident. It wasn't easy to get to the end with the intermediate tyres. However, I don't consider this a real victory, I want to win tomorrow's Grand Prix" commented Verstappen.

In qualifying, Verstappen took pole position ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes was fourth, teammate George Russell sixth.

Verstappen: 'Another disastrous start, I have to work on it'

The sprint won by Max Verstappen in Singapore was heavily affected by bad weather. A violent monsoon downpour first caused a strong delay in the start, then numerous retirements, including that of George Russell (Mercedes), who ended up against a wall on the second lap, while he was leading after passing Verstappen at the start. The Dutchman from Red Bull preceded the two Ferraris, with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Charles Leclerc.

"The start was once again disastrous; it's an aspect we need to work on, because if it were to happen tomorrow, our race would be compromised - commented Verstappen - Winning the sprint is fantastic, obviously, but tomorrow I want to win the Grand Prix", a 62-lap race on the Singapore street circuit, at night.

The sprint in Singapore lasted just 20 laps and was interrupted twice due to accidents and the entry of the safety car. The intense rain caused a series of recalls. After skidding his Mercedes and hitting barriers on both sides of a boulevard in the Marina Bay neighborhood - a stretch of seafront turned racetrack - Russell retired. Kimi Antonelli, fourth in the sprint, especially benefited from this. The world championship leader now has an advantage of 89 points over his teammate.