Max Verstappen put in an assured drive to take victory in the Singapore Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver holding the lead throughout the hot and humid encounter to seal his first-ever Grand Prix win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. After defending against Charles Leclerc into the first corner, Verstappen ensured that he emerged in P1 and, while the Ferrari initially remained on his tail, the four-time World Champion soon built up a significant gap at the front.
The mid-race pit stops phase did little to change Verstappen’s commanding run, the Dutchman enjoying a smooth stop as he switched from the soft to the medium tyres. From there onwards he was untroubled at the front and, despite suffering some radio issues that resulted in the team having to use the pit board for communication, Verstappen ultimately clinched his 73rd career win on his 250th Grand Prix start.
Leclerc held onto P2, crossing the line 7.3 seconds behind, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli completed the podium in third – a result that would extend the youngster’s championship lead further. The McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were fourth and fifth, ahead of the other Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton. Liam Lawson claimed P7 to add to Racing Bulls’ tally, with Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg just behind in eighth.
Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar put in good recovery drives from the back of the field and the pit lane respectively, the pair rounding out the top 10 to claim P9 and P10 respectively. Pierre Gasly just missed out for Alpine in 11th, ahead of the Haas duo of Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon, Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad. Fernando Alonso brought his Aston Martin home in P16, followed by Cadillac’s Sergio Perez. Alex Albon was classified as P18 for Williams despite retiring in the closing stages, while the other Cadillac of Valtteri Bottas rounded out the order in P19.
Three drivers retired from the event, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll suffering a suspected clutch issue, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto experiencing a driveline problem and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto experiencing what appeared to be a gearbox problem.
