PUBLISHED ONOctober 11, 2026 2:06 PMBYShafiq ApandiFor years, Singapore had kept Max Verstappen grounded. But on his 250th Formula One Grand Prix appearance, the Red Bull driver finally found his wings.
The 29-year-old Dutchman led from start to finish at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Oct 11, beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 7.335 seconds. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli completed the podium in third.
The four-time world champion had finished second here three times, including in each of the past two years, and had never won or taken pole in Singapore before this weekend. It was his second straight win after Malaysia.
Leclerc got the better start and drew alongside into Turn 1. Verstappen swept across to take the line, and that was as close as anyone came.
The Monegasque sat on his tail for 10 laps. By Lap 49, he was 14.2 seconds behind.
Behind them, Lewis Hamilton was trying to make a set of soft tyres last 43 laps in the other Ferrari. On Lap 54, reigning world champion Lando Norris attacked him into Turn 1. Hamilton ran wide, the McLaren picked up dirt on its tyres and championship leader Antonelli, 20, slipped past Norris.
A lap later, Antonelli took third from Hamilton into Turn 16. Norris followed him through to finish fourth.
Hamilton lost fifth to McLaren's Oscar Piastri at turn 16 on lap 61.
Mercedes' George Russell, last year's winner here, climbed from 19th on the grid to ninth after serving a grid penalty for fitting new engine parts.
Formula One next heads to Austin for the United States Grand Prix on Oct 25.
