Singapore Sprint winner Max Verstappen: “This victory doesn’t count for me”

Max Verstappen has won the incredibly exciting first Formula 1 Sprint race in Singapore. The Red Bull Racing star won the short race at Marina Bay ahead of the two Ferraris driven by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

For Max, this is the 14th sprint victory of his Formula 1 career, his first this season and his first since Texas in 2025!

Verstappen benefited from a nasty blunder by George Russell, who had initially been leading the Sprint. But the Briton’s right-rear tyre caught the slippery kerb at the start-finish line – and off he went into the wall!

After his flawless driving performance, winner Verstappen said: “My start against Russell was absolutely dreadful, which is why George was able to take the lead straight away. That’s something we urgently need to work on. Because if that happens to me tomorrow, my race will be over straight away. It’s always the same – we just get off to a terrible start.”

“Then I was lucky because George Russell had that slip-up. After that, it was just a matter of looking after the tyres and controlling the race from the front.”

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“There were sections that were wet, others that were dry – it was quite strange. Tyre management was a bit of a question mark. I had to be incredibly careful with the worn tyres; all it takes is a moment off the ideal line and you’re off the track.”

“Everyone knows how difficult it is to overtake here, especially when we’re on intermediates and already have our hands full with the car. So I wasn’t too worried about the drivers behind me.”

“I was able to cruise home comfortably and I’m delighted with the win and the eight points, but to be honest – I’m already thinking about GP qualifying and Sunday’s race. I’d rather win on a Sunday than on a Saturday.”

Max Verstappen has never won a race in Singapore, but the four-time world champion is completely ignoring that: “That’s not a win that counts for me. I’ve said I’ve got a score to settle because I’ve never managed to win a Grand Prix in Singapore, and I want to change that here on Sunday.”

“I’m expecting a lot of competition in qualifying, with plenty of cars capable of taking pole position.”