Verstappen takes his first Singapore Grand Prix victory

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time. The Dutchman delivered a dominant victory, with Formula 1’s next race scheduled for Austin from October 23 to 25, as part of the United States Grand Prix. It was the first Singapore win of Verstappen’s career and his second consecutive victory.

Verstappen led every lap despite a radio failure that prevented him from communicating with his team. It did not hold him back: he resisted Charles Leclerc’s challenge, with Leclerc finishing seven seconds behind in second. Kimi Antonelli took third after a close late-race battle between Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Hamilton was on old tyres at that stage. Antonelli therefore extended his lead over George Russell in the Drivers’ Championship to 102 points.

That advantage puts a title opportunity within reach at the next event: Antonelli can become world champion in Austin from October 23 to 25 if he scores 23 more points than Russell. The championship then heads to the Americas for a three-race run, beginning with the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

On Sunday, Russell finished ninth after starting 19th, having been given a grid penalty following a power-unit change. Overtaking proved particularly difficult at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.