Verstappen Wins the Singapore Grand Prix From Pole as Antonelli Stretches His Title Lead to 102 Points

Verstappen did complain about the circuit, which he criticised for its lack of overtaking opportunities, according to The National. Behind the leaders, Liam Lawson was seventh for Racing Bulls, Nico Hulkenberg eighth for Audi and Isack Hadjar tenth for Red Bull after starting from the pit lane. Lance Stroll, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto did not finish.

What went wrong for Hamilton and Russell?

Lewis Hamilton qualified third and finished sixth. He stayed out on worn tyres, was passed by Antonelli, Lando Norris and finally Oscar Piastri on the last lap, and apologised to the team, saying the decision had been his. Norris was fourth and Piastri fifth.

George Russell started from the back of the grid because a power unit change, needed after last week's engine failure, brought a penalty; our Friday report had the same problem. He climbed to seventh, but a virtual safety car ended just as he pitted for fresh tyres, and he finished ninth. Antonelli, who managed overheating brakes, avoided a penalty for track limits, The Race reported after four violations.

Can Antonelli clinch the F1 title in Austin?

Antonelli now leads Russell by 102 points and Hamilton by 111. At 20 he would be the youngest champion in the sport's history and the first Italian since 1953. The title could be settled at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on 25 October, but the AP calls that highly unlikely: to build an unassailable 125-point lead there, Antonelli would need to win, Russell would have to finish ninth or lower, and Hamilton no higher than fifth.

Antonelli himself was not satisfied, saying he had not driven especially well all weekend. That, plus a championship lead this large, is exactly the position his rivals did not want to see with six races to run.