Why Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are very critical of having sprint races at tracks like Singapore
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc came out after the sprint at the 2026 Singapore GP, and suggested that having sprint races at circuits like Singapore isn’t the right decision for the sport. The two also explained their reasons for being critical about it.
The 2026 Singapore GP sprint race was an eventful one with just 13 cars crossing the chequered flag. A handful of cars retired within the first few laps, including race leader George Russell.
However, most of the action was the drivers crashing or retiring, and that too in the first few laps and on the very last lap when the two McLarens collided. Apart from that, laps 6-19 were monotonous, with no real overtakes.
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen detailed the same during the post-sprint press conference, explaining how sprint races at tracks like Singapore or Monaco, where overtaking is difficult, don’t make sense.
“I think we shouldn’t host a sprint where you can’t pass, you know, if you have tracks where you can race and can and can overtake. But of course, in some places you cannot pass and we are going to have sprints there also next year. It’s not what I like,” said Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc agreed with the four-time F1 champion as he added,
“I agree. I don’t think it makes sense to have any sprint races on city tracks in general. And we probably should use these sprints to have them on tracks where it’s easy to overtake, where you can have a lot of racing action and actually add something to the weekend. Whereas here or Monaco, I don’t think it adds anything to the weekend.”
Having the sprint weekend at a street circuit also adds to the jeopardy of drivers crashing during the sprint, and then teams having to rebuild the car before qualifying. The risk of crashing stops the drivers from making the moves or taking any strategic risks.
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen reminisce about karting days
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc raced each other in karting and on their way up the Formula ladder. The two were reminded of the infamous “inchident” from their karting days during the post-qualifying press conference. The two drivers went on to reminisce about karting together.
“I was just telling Max in the cooldown room that the karting days feel like yesterday. I don’t have as good a memory to tell you our karting front rows but there were quite a few. It’s been nice that we’ve been following each other and that now we are fighting in F1. He’s a bit too many championships ahead but hopefully I’ll catch one day! but it’s good to be starting on the front row together,” said Charles Leclerc.
“Back in the day, there were a few drivers that looked like they would make it to Formula 1 or at least would have a big chance. Charles was definitely one of them!” said Max Verstappen.
The two will start on the front row for the 2026 Singapore GP, with Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton behind them.
Read More: Charles Leclerc explains why he felt there was more on the table after the F1 Singapore GP qualifying
