Verstappen dominates Marina Bay as Ferrari's strategy gamble crumbles
Max Verstappen won the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix from pole, his first-ever victory at Marina Bay. Charles Leclerc finished second and Kimi Antonelli third. Ferrari's split tire strategy backfired when Lewis Hamilton missed a pit call during the Virtual Safety Car, dropping him to sixth. Verstappen's win extends Antonelli's championship lead to 102 points heading into the final six races.
The Podium
Max Verstappen secured his first Grand Prix victory at the Marina Bay Street Circuit , controlling the 62-lap race from pole to finish 7.335 seconds clear. Charles Leclerc took second place for Ferrari, with Kimi Antonelli third for Mercedes. [1] The result marks Verstappen's 73rd career win on his 250th Grand Prix start. [2]
Verstappen's Dominance Through Turn 1
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. [3] Having resisted Charles Leclerc off the line and through the opening laps, Verstappen steadily increased his advantage, particularly around the timing of the first pit stops. [4]
Split Strategy and the Hamilton Gamble
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc started on Soft tyres, with a new set for the Red Bull driver, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli and both McLarens also chose the Soft. Lewis Hamilton instead began the race on Mediums. [5]
The divergent tire approaches were designed to create strategic flexibility; however, Ferrari's plan unraveled during the race's first Virtual Safety Car. According to team principal Frédéric Vasseur, both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were instructed to pit, but Hamilton failed to enter the pit lane, leaving him on a strategy that ultimately dropped him to sixth. [6] This missed call proved costly, as Verstappen switched from the soft to the medium tyres during the mid-race pit stop phase, enjoying a smooth stop while Ferrari's two-pronged strategy collapsed.[7]
Leclerc was satisfied with his second-place finish after a strong opening stint but noted that the team started degrading a little bit more as the race progressed. [8]
Antonelli Extends Championship Lead
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli claimed third for Mercedes following a dramatic late battle involving Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.
Kimi Antonelli leads the championship on 340 points, 102 ahead of George Russell.
Key Incidents
Related reading
- [1]Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2026 - Race Result (formula1). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [2]Verstappen seals commanding Singapore Grand Prix victory from Leclerc and Antonelli (formula1). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [3]Verstappen breaks Singapore win drought while Hamilton nosedives (the-race). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [4]Singapore GP 2026 Race Report: Verstappen wins, Ferrari falters (total-motorsport). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [5]Vasseur reveals Hamilton's missed pit call that cost Singapore GP podium (grandepremio). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [6]Ferrari takes Singapore GP P2 with Charles Leclerc as Lewis Hamilton finishes sixth (scuderiafans). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [7]F1 Standings and Results After the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix (si-onsi). Accessed 2026-10-11.
- [8]2026 Singapore Grand Prix race result and championship points (racefans). Accessed 2026-10-11.