Singapore F1 Sprint Start Delayed by Heavy Rain

The Singapore Grand Prix sprint start was delayed by half an hour to 17:30 local (10:30 GMT) after heavy rain at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The race had been set for 17:00 local (0900 GMT). Rain began roughly 10-15 minutes before that time and sent fans and officials rushing for cover. Standing water formed around Turns 2 and 3, and the FIA medical car assessed conditions. Teams covered cars on the grid and switched from slick tyres to intermediates. Ferrari was among the last to shelter Charles Leclerc's car; no damage or technical problem was reported. Drivers then completed two formation laps behind the safety car before a standing start. During those laps Oscar Piastri radioed his team that the spray is very bad. Max Verstappen held sprint pole ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc. The delay marked the second consecutive weekend of rain disruption after the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia the prior Sunday. Contested: Rated outlets do not disagree on the half-hour delay, the new start time, or the location of standing water. Left: Associated Press foregrounded that the Singapore F1 sprint race start was delayed after heavy rain. Right: No right-rated coverage was in the record.