What Happened in F1: Why Was the Sprint Race in Singapore Postponed?

A sense of déjà vu in Singapore: just as happened in Malaysia for Sunday’s race, the start of Saturday’s Formula 1 Sprint race was postponed due to track conditions, which were rendered impassable by a violent downpour.

The straight leading into Turn 1 was practically flooded, making it impossible to start. Deep puddles are visible at several turns on the track. Verstappen himself was clear: “The start will probably be delayed,” the five-time world champion said over team radio.

Shortly afterward, the organizers made it official: the Sprint race will start late. Just a week ago, in Sepang, a violent downpour hit the Malaysian circuit shortly before the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, forcing race officials to postpone the start.

Verstappen will start from pole position on the Sprint grid, having clocked a time of 1’31″156 in Friday’s Sprint qualifying, ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc. Kimi Antonelli was only seventh, struggling with the Mercedes updates.