Four-time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen led from start to finish to win the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time on Sunday.
Though this was Verstappen's 73rd career win on his 250th Grand Prix start, he had never won in Singapore in nine previous attempts – one of the few regular circuits on the F1 calendar where he was yet to record a victory.
On Sunday, the Red Bull Racing driver finished more than seven seconds ahead of second-placed Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, rounding out the podium in third.
Background
It was a dominant weekend for Verstappen, who topped all competitive sessions at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
He qualified fastest in Sprint Qualifying on Friday, won Saturday's Sprint race, and secured pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Having fended off Leclerc into Turn 1, Verstappen ran an untroubled race to victory, adding 33 points to his championship tally over the weekend and moving up into fourth place in the drivers' standings.
Race Recap
Championship leader Antonelli extended his points gap over his nearest title rivals by securing his 14th podium finish of the season.
Starting from fourth, Antonelli capitalized on a strategy gamble by Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton to gain a position by the chequered flag.
Hamilton dropped from third to sixth after he and Ferrari opted to forego a planned second pit stop, leaving him vulnerable on severely degraded tires late in the race.
George Russell – Antonelli’s teammate and closest title challenger – started from the back of the grid following an engine penalty.
He managed to fight his way back up to ninth on a circuit historically notorious for its overtaking difficulty.
Both McLaren drivers finished just off the podium, with Lando Norris crossing the line fourth and Oscar Piastri passing Hamilton on the final lap to take fifth.
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, who also started from the back row, put in a strong recovery drive to finish 10th and capture the final point.
Championship Picture
Having stretched his championship lead over George Russell to 102 points, Antonelli stands on the brink of becoming the youngest Formula One World Champion in history at the upcoming Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
A win at the Circuit of the Americas would guarantee Antonelli the title, provided Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton no higher than fifth.
While Verstappen, Leclerc, and Norris remain mathematically alive in the standings, Antonelli and Mercedes remain firmly in control.
Picture courtesy: f1.com
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