Formula 1 returned to the venue for its original night race to conclude the first of three triple headers that mark the end of the 2026 season. The Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore is often a track that delivers a remarkable Grand Prix, either from an endurance perspective or an action perspective – usually both. Tight walls, interchangeable conditions and a heightened level of tension given its place on the calendar means that there’s plenty to keep the drivers on their toes.
Following Max Verstappen’s victory in Malaysia last time out, could the Red Bull Racing driver carry this momentum forward for a first win in Singapore or would someone else beat him around this iconic street circuit yet again?
Let’s take a look at The Paddock Chronicle’s Key Takeaways from Formula 1 in Singapore.
Verstappen in Singapore – Better Late Than Never
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again. That has been the way for Max Verstappen in Singapore in his time in Formula 1 so far with the Dutchman never having secured victory here in the past. That all changed last weekend as the Red Bull Racing driver put on an imperious performance that made us all wonder why it had been so tricky for him to win here before. Pole Position for the Sprint Race was swiftly followed by a victory in said Sprint Race and Pole Position for the actual Grand Prix on Sunday.
Despite radio issues throughout the race, Max Verstappen continued where he left off in Malaysia and proceeded to dominate. The Four-Time World Champion never looked to be at a disadvantage and controlled the race throughout. His race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase joined him on the podium in what was Verstappen’s 250th Grand Prix. It is perhaps the last time we’ll see these two together on the podium for the same team with Lambiase departing for McLaren in 2027. If this is the last time then, there is no more fitting a way to commemorate one of the most successful partnerships in Formula 1.
Fightback at Ferrari
Ferrari have been in a bit of a no man’s land this season. More competitive than we’ve seen in recent times, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have a victory to their names this season. They also share a further nine podiums between them, placing Ferrari comfortably in second place in the Constructor’s Championship with Hamilton in third and Leclerc in fifth in the Driver’s Standings.
But the Italian Stallions seem to still be lacking that last element that will propel them to Championship contention and wins. This weekend, Hamilton determined his own strategy (perhaps as a result of Ferrari getting it wrong in Malaysia) and it backfired, sliding the Britain from third to sixth. Leclerc meanwhile stayed with Verstappen for the early part of the race but ultimately fell back with nothing to fight back meaningfully with. The occasion marked his first podium since Spa but the glaring gap to Verstappen ahead, nevermind the usual pace of the Mercedes drivers at other venues, will be grating for both Leclerc and team. The fightback continues.
Is the World Championship Over?
Kimi Antonelli secured his fourteenth podium of the season in Singapore and could mathematically become World Champion next time out in Austin, Texas. The crowning of the young Italian seems like an inevitability now unless a series of incredibly dramatic events unfold between now and the end of the season. His third place finish in Singapore means he leaves this triple header with a one-hundred-and-two point lead over George Russell in second.
Russell meanwhile was forced to start from the rear of the field due to penalties accrued following his power unit failure in Malaysia. He rose as high as ninth place, earning himself just two solitary points for the weekend. That fact, coupled with his dramatic crash from the lead of the Sprint Race, all but confirms he’s out of the title fight. It’s a far cry from his domination in Azerbaijan and the Mercedes driver now needs to keep an eye on both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen who could easily overtake him in the standings by season’s end if their current forms continue. What a difference two weeks makes.
The Incredible Hulk
In more positive news, Nico Hulkenburg scored Audi’s first points since Madrid and did so in style as he achieved the team’s first double points result of the season – finishing in seventh place in the Sprint and in eighth place in the Grand Prix. Much like Fernando Alonso was able to keep defending World Champion Lando Norris behind him in Malaysia, Hulkenburg was able to do the same to Russell in Singapore. Resplendent with a special livery for the weekend too, Singapore proved to be both Hulkenburg’s and Audi’s best weekend of the year thus far.
Anything Else from Singapore?
Ollie Bearman deserves a mention too for his ferocious but fair battle with teammate Ocon in the Grand Prix. With the latter departing from the team at the end of the season, he’s keen to show himself off to other potential teams. But Bearman put him in his place this weekend by dispatching him with cold calculated ease that will prove to Haas that they made the right decision.
McLaren now look under threat in the Constructor’s Standings from a resurgent Red Bull Racing. This wasn’t helped by Lando Norris once again crashing into Oscar Piastri in the Sprint Race and with Isack Hadjar rising from the back of the pack to score a crucial Championship point by finishing in tenth place in the Grand Prix. The gap between the two teams is now just seven points.
Alpine are arguably the biggest losers coming out of this triple header having scored zero points in all three Grand Prix weekends. They’ll be glad they have a comfortable cushion of points back to Haas and Audi but with Racing Bulls now thirty-two points ahead of them, they will need a dramatic turnaround soon if they wish to resume that particular battle.
Final Thought from Singapore
Kimi Antonelli looks set to become World Champion in 2026. It feels now more than ever a case of when and not if. That will leave many across the grid wondering what they could have done to prevent this, most of all George Russell. For everyone else now, personal glory and the Constructor’s Championship become more important than ever. Six Grand Prix remain and with nothing to lose for those further down the pecking order, be prepared to see some bold strategies and ambitious manoeuvres on track. Singapore was more of an endurance test than an action packed race this year. The same won’t likely be the case from here on out.
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Formula 1 returns in Austin, Texas for the United States Grand Prix on October 23rd.
Feature Image: Red Bull Content Pool