Max Verstappen finally has his Singapore Grand Prix victory. After years of trying, the Red Bull driver converted pole position into a controlled win under the lights of Marina Bay. Charles Leclerc finished second, while Kimi Antonelli secured another podium for Mercedes. Ferrari, meanwhile, will leave Singapore wondering what could have been.
Verstappen Gets the Job Done
Verstappen made a strong start from pole, defending his position against Leclerc into Turn 1. Ferrari initially looked capable of putting pressure on the Red Bull, but Verstappen soon began to build a gap and controlled the race from the front.
Even radio issues could not disrupt his afternoon. Red Bull had to rely on pit boards for communication at points, but Verstappen remained in control and managed his one-stop strategy through two Virtual Safety Car periods.
Leclerc closed the gap towards the end of the race on fresher soft tyres, but Verstappen had enough of an advantage to secure his first-ever Singapore Grand Prix victory, finishing 7.335 seconds ahead of the Ferrari.
After winning the Sprint and taking pole position, the Dutchman completed a perfect weekend at Marina Bay.
Ferrari Had More Potential Than the Result Shows
Leclerc delivered a solid race to finish second, but Ferrari’s afternoon could have looked very different.
Lewis Hamilton started third and remained in the fight for a podium position during the early stages. When a Virtual Safety Car created an opportunity to pit, Ferrari called both drivers in. However, Hamilton missed the pit entry, costing him the chance to take advantage of the situation.
Leclerc eventually regained second place, while Hamilton struggled with tyre performance in the closing stages. He was passed by Norris, Piastri and Antonelli, finishing sixth.
It was a frustrating result for Hamilton, especially considering how competitive Ferrari looked earlier in the race. The team had the pace to challenge for a double podium, but the strategy and execution did not come together when it mattered.
Antonelli Does It Again
Kimi Antonelli finished third, adding another podium to an already impressive season.
The Mercedes driver started fourth and stayed close enough to the front to take advantage when Hamilton’s tyres began to fade. His late move into third secured the final podium position and another valuable points haul.
Antonelli’s consistency continues to be one of the biggest stories of the 2026 season. While Verstappen took the victory, Kimi once again delivered the kind of result that matters in a championship fight.
With George Russell finishing ninth after starting 19th due to an engine penalty, Antonelli extended his championship lead over his teammate to 102 points.
The next race in Austin could therefore be a major moment in the title fight, with Antonelli having his first mathematical opportunity to secure the championship.
McLaren Finishes Behind the Podium
Lando Norris finished fourth, ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri in fifth. Neither McLaren driver managed to challenge Verstappen or Leclerc for the win, but both brought home solid points.
After their collision in Saturday’s Sprint, it was important for both drivers to get through Sunday’s race without another major incident. They did so, although the result leaves McLaren outside the podium positions.
Hamilton finished between the two McLarens in sixth, while Liam Lawson took seventh for Racing Bulls. Nico Hülkenberg finished eighth for Audi, ahead of Russell in ninth.
Isack Hadjar completed the top ten after starting from the pit lane, making his way into the points with a strong recovery drive for Red Bull.
A Difficult Afternoon Further Down the Field
Singapore once again proved how demanding Marina Bay can be, with three drivers failing to finish.
Lance Stroll retired with a suspected clutch issue, Franco Colapinto stopped with a driveline problem, and Gabriel Bortoleto retired after what appeared to be a gearbox issue.
Fernando Alonso finished 16th for Aston Martin, while Alex Albon and Valtteri Bottas were classified 18th and 19th respectively despite also retiring late in the race.
It was a weekend of mixed fortunes across the grid, with some teams capitalising on opportunities while others were left dealing with reliability problems.
Final Thoughts
Singapore delivered a race that was more about execution than constant wheel-to-wheel action at the front. Verstappen controlled the race when it mattered, Leclerc secured a strong second place, and Antonelli continued to strengthen his position in the championship.
For Ferrari, the result will sting. The pace was there for more, but a missed pit entry and fading tyres cost Hamilton a potential podium.
For Mercedes, however, the bigger picture looks increasingly positive. Antonelli keeps collecting the points, Russell is losing ground, and the championship is moving closer to a decisive moment.
Next stop: Austin. And Kimi Antonelli could be heading into the weekend with his first world title within reach.