Verstappen wins first Singapore Grand Prix by 7.335 seconds

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time in his career on 11 October 2026, finishing 7.335 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc after 62 laps under the lights at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli was third. The win came on Verstappen's 250th Grand Prix start and followed his sprint race victory in Singapore on Saturday and his win in Malaysia the previous weekend.channelnewsasia.com

The victory matters because Verstappen had never won or taken pole position in nine previous Singapore attempts, dating back to his debut for Toro Rosso in 2015. It also confirms Red Bull's re-emergence as a major force after taking its maiden win of the year in Malaysia. Verstappen said the last few races had been positive for the team and that there was a lot of motivation to deliver more results before the end of the year.bbc.co.uk

What the win means for Verstappen

Verstappen started from pole and knew he needed to lead into the first corner, given how difficult overtaking is in Singapore. Leclerc got a better start off the line and challenged down the inside approaching turn one, but Verstappen squeezed him towards the pit wall. With their entry compromised, Leclerc backed off and Verstappen took the corner. Verstappen, Leclerc and Hamilton ran nose to tail for the first four laps before Hamilton began to drop back from about lap five.

Leclerc stayed within a second of Verstappen for five more laps before the Red Bull began to pull away. From then on, Verstappen built his lead and was never seriously challenged. Verstappen said: "It has taken a while but I think this race was very good." He added that the team had pace when needed on both the soft and medium tyres, and that he was very happy to win in Singapore.

Hamilton was the only front-runner to start on the medium tyres, while Verstappen and Leclerc chose softs. Hamilton pitted on lap 18 for softs, and Leclerc waited until lap 24 to switch to mediums. Leclerc emerged just ahead of Hamilton, but Ferrari chose not to order him to let Hamilton through, a decision Hamilton questioned from the car. A virtual safety car on lap 39 let Leclerc and Antonelli make cheap pit stops, saving about 10 seconds compared with stopping under racing conditions.

How the start was decided

Hamilton, despite older tyres, did not stop, which promoted him to second behind Verstappen. As Leclerc closed in, Hamilton was told he needed to stop again. He pushed back, suggesting he could go to the end, but was told he was six laps short on tyre life. Leclerc passed Hamilton on lap 46 and finished 7.3 seconds behind Verstappen. Hamilton's tyres lost grip and he fell to Norris, Antonelli and finally Piastri, who passed him on the final lap.

Hamilton apologised to his team on the slowing-down lap, saying on team radio: "Sorry boys. I let you down today with that strategy." He added: "My call, and I lost us valuable points." The seven-time world champion dropped from third on the grid to sixth. Leclerc said Ferrari had brought small new parts to the car that may have helped, and that he gave everything and regretted nothing, but believed the team could have been more aggressive at the start.

Hamilton's strategy decision backfires

Antonelli's third place, combined with Russell finishing ninth after starting from the back of the grid because of engine penalties, extended the Italian's championship lead to 102 points. Antonelli said it was a very tough race but he was happy with the podium, having taken advantage of the fight between Norris and Hamilton. The standings show Antonelli on 184 points, Verstappen on 178 and Russell on 150, with 150 points still available from the six remaining races.

Antonelli can clinch his first world title at the next race, the United States Grand Prix on 25 October in Austin. To become champion there, he would need to win the race with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower. When told he could win the title in Austin, Antonelli responded: "Can I? Really? Let's not worry about that, let's try to do the best weekend possible and finish the job."channelnewsasia.com

Antonelli closes on the title

The result left Verstappen 119 points behind Antonelli in the standings but positioned as a strong contender for second. Lando Norris finished fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth for McLaren, with Liam Lawson sixth, Nico Hulkenberg seventh for Audi, Russell eighth and Isack Hadjar ninth after starting from the pit lane. The United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin runs from 23 to 25 October, with the race on 25 October.telegraph.co.uk