Formula 1’s lengthy 2026 season is entering its final stretch. The sport took to the floodlit streets of Singapore on Sunday night, but Saturday saw action, too; this Grand Prix weekend was also the final of six sprints this year. The night race might be one of modern F1’s greatest spectacles. From overhead shots, the track becomes a bright, illuminated ribbon among the looming darkness of the city-state’s overpasses and skyscrapers. At ground level, the cars shower glittering sparks from their titanium skid blocks as the drivers flirt with how close they can get to the walls. As tracks go, the 90-degree turns and concrete barrier-lined streets were a world away from the abrasive tarmac and ample runoff of Malaysia last time out. But the tropical heat and humidity were a constant given both locations’ proximity to the equator.
F1 in Singapore: There's a new fastest car now
Also, F1’s final sprint saw our first real wet racing of the year.

Key takeaways
F1's Singapore Grand Prix featured a delayed sprint race due to rain, with George Russell facing challenges in his title hopes.
- The Singapore GP sprint was delayed by 30 minutes due to rain.
- The sprint format is criticized by drivers for lacking prestige and risk.
- George Russell's title hopes were affected by car issues and a strong teammate.
Summarised automatically by AI from the original article by Ars Technica. AI can make mistakes, so check the original for details.
Story details
- Published
- Updated
- October 12, 2026 at 4:55 PM UTC
- By
- Jonathan M. Gitlin
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- Original
- arstechnica.com ↗
Related reporting
6 stories on this topic from 4 sources, oldest first.
- Free Malaysia Today Russell’s title hopes on the line as F1 heads to Singapore
- New Straits Times Russell goes fastest in practice for smoggy Singapore GP
- Ars Technica F1 in Singapore: There's a new fastest car now (this story)






