2026 Singapore GP Sprint Race Preview

James Punt came up dry in sprint qualifying but he wasn’t far off. His 2026 Singapore GP sprint Race preview and tips are below.

2026 Singapore GP Sprint Race

We were one place out with Russell in the sprint shootout yesterday and he lines up second, alongside Max Verstappen. At least Russell wasn’t hindered by the ‘glitch’ that denied many cars full power in Q1. That the session wasn’t abandoned or re-run is a disgrace. The software is playing too big a part in these new generation of cars, and the people running it are incompetent. Hopefully everything works as it should today.

These sprint races are not my cup of tea. They are not proper races and the drivers are ‘racing’ with one eye on the upcoming qualifying session for the Grand Prix proper. Do not crash is upper most in their minds. That means taking no risks and just following the car in front. That car might make a mistake, I suppose.

Nothing To Lose

Perhaps the only driver that many throw caution to the wind is George Russell. He knows that whatever happens, he will be starting tomorrow’s race at the back of the grid. He could do with scoring the maximum amount of points today (8) as he will struggle to better than that tomorrow.

Russell starts on the dirty (and it will be dirty) side of the track and that may mean his race is over before it starts, but Verstappen has not been great off the line at times this season. If Russell can get his front axle ahead into the first corner, even Verstappen is likely to back off. He is looking to win the Grand Prix, not the Mickey Mouse race.

Russell to win for minimum stakes is the only bet I will make for this side show.

2026 Singapore GP sprint Race Tip: 0.5 point George Russell to win the Sprint Race @ 4.00 with SpreadEx

-JamesPunt