The short version
- Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix from pole position, marking Red Bull's first victory at this venue since 2022.
- Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished third, extending his lead over teammate George Russell to 102 points with two races remaining.
- Charles Leclerc secured second place for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton’s strategic errors resulted in a sixth-place finish despite early pace.
Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, securing his first victory at the Marina Bay street circuit. The Red Bull driver started from pole position and maintained control throughout the race, crossing the finish line ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. This result marks the 73rd career win for the Dutchman and represents a significant milestone as it coincides with his 250th Grand Prix start. For Red Bull, the victory ends a four-year drought at this specific venue, having last won here in 2022.
The race unfolded under floodlights in what observers described as a relatively straightforward contest for the leader. Verstappen managed to hold off early pressure from Leclerc during the opening laps, establishing a three-second advantage by lap 17. Despite experiencing radio communication failures with his team, the Red Bull driver remained focused and executed a flawless race strategy. His dominance was evident from the start of the weekend, having also taken pole position and won the sprint race prior to the main event.
Behind the leaders, the championship battle took center stage. Kimi Antonelli, currently leading the drivers’ standings, finished third on the podium. This result extends his advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 102 points. With only two races remaining in the season, including the upcoming round in Austin, Antonelli is now in a position where he can mathematically secure the world title. A victory in Texas combined with Russell finishing lower than eighth would be sufficient for Antonelli to clinch the championship.
George Russell had a challenging race, starting 19th on the grid due to qualifying issues. He managed to climb through the field to finish ninth, but the points gap remains substantial. The Mercedes driver’s struggles contrasted sharply with Antonelli’s consistency, highlighting the disparity in their recent performances. While Verstappen and Red Bull have clearly found a competitive edge with recent upgrades, Mercedes continues to grapple with pace issues that have hindered Russell’s title defense.
Ferrari showed strong pace throughout the event, particularly through Charles Leclerc who challenged Verstappen early on. Leclerc climbed close to the leader in the opening stages but could not find a way past before settling for second place. The team’s strategic decisions played a crucial role in the outcome, as they opted for a counter-strategy that initially paid off with fresh tires but ultimately did not yield a higher position than second.
Lewis Hamilton experienced a difficult race for Ferrari, finishing sixth despite showing strong speed on new tires early in the event. Hamilton pitted on lap 18 for soft tires while more than 40 laps remained, a decision that initially allowed him to set a series of fastest laps. However, his strategy backfired when he failed to capitalize on a virtual safety car period on lap 39. While Leclerc was brought in under the VSC, Hamilton stayed out, a choice that did not yield the expected advantage.
As the race progressed, Hamilton’s tire degradation became apparent, leading to a drop in pace. He was eventually passed by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Kimi Antonelli. The final laps saw a flurry of overtaking maneuvers among the midfield runners, with Antonelli diving past Norris and then Hamilton to secure his third-place finish. Norris followed suit, taking fourth place, while Piastri secured fifth.
The performance of the Red Bull car has been transformed by recent upgrades, turning what was previously a difficult vehicle to manage into a dominant force. This resurgence has solidified Verstappen’s position at the front of the grid and provided the team with valuable data for next year’s model. While the championship is effectively out of reach for Verstappen following early-season difficulties, the team’s current form offers a positive outlook for future competitions.
Looking ahead to the Austin Grand Prix, the focus will shift entirely to the Mercedes drivers. Antonelli holds a commanding lead, but Russell still has a mathematical chance if results align in his favor. The upcoming race will test whether Mercedes can close the performance gap or if Antonelli will secure the title with a strong showing. For Red Bull and Ferrari, the priority remains maximizing points and refining strategies for the final stages of the season.
The Singapore Grand Prix served as a clear indicator of the current competitive landscape in Formula One. Red Bull’s resurgence, Mercedes’ internal battle, and Ferrari’s strategic challenges all played out on the Marina Bay circuit. As the season nears its conclusion, every point will count for the remaining contenders, while Verstappen enjoys a well-deserved victory in a race that showcased his skill and his team’s engineering improvements.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Resurgent Verstappen holds off Leclerc to seal dominant F1 Singapore GP win
