Verstappen wins first Singapore GP in 250th start; Antonelli keeps 102-point lead
Representative image: Picudio / Pixabay
Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October 2026, his first win there, ahead of Leclerc and Antonelli, who still leads the title race by 102 points.
What Happened
Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, 11 October 2026, completing a clean sweep of the weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Driving for Red Bull, he started from pole position and finished 7.3 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli third. It was Verstappen's first victory in Singapore, his 73rd Formula One win and came in his 250th Grand Prix start. He had also won the sprint race on Saturday. Despite the win, Antonelli still leads the drivers' championship by a wide margin.
Key Facts
- Race: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Sunday, 11 October 2026, over 62 laps.
- Winner: Max Verstappen, Red Bull, in a race time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 0.785 seconds.
- Podium: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, second, 7.3 seconds behind; Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, third.
- McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished fourth and fifth.
- Milestones: Verstappen's first Singapore win, 73rd career win, 250th Grand Prix start.
- Drivers' standings after the race: Antonelli 340 points; George Russell second, 102 points behind; Lewis Hamilton third on 229; Verstappen fourth on 221.
- Constructors' standings: Mercedes 578 points, Ferrari 444, Red Bull fourth on 332.
Why It Matters
Singapore is a night race on a tight street circuit. Winning there from pole, after also taking the sprint, is a sign that Verstappen and Red Bull have found strong form late in a season in which they have not been title contenders.
The result also marks a personal landmark. Until Sunday, Verstappen had never won in Singapore. Taking his first victory there in his 250th race, and his 73rd win overall, adds a notable entry to his record.
The bigger picture, however, belongs to Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli's third place kept his championship lead at more than 100 points over teammate George Russell, and Mercedes lead the constructors' table by well over 100 points from Ferrari. One report suggests Antonelli could clinch the drivers' title at the next race in Austin.
For Ferrari, Leclerc's second place was a solid haul of points on a circuit that rewards precise driving, while McLaren's fourth and fifth places showed they remained competitive without challenging for the win.
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
Impact
Short-term: Verstappen's win lifts Red Bull's points total and momentum heading into the United States Grand Prix in Austin, while Antonelli arrives there with a chance to settle the title.
Long-term: A strong finish to the season would give Red Bull a platform for next year, while Mercedes' dominant position in both championships underlines how far ahead they have been this year.
Who is affected: Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren, the drivers in the title race, and Formula One fans following the closing rounds.
Key Takeaway
Verstappen won in Singapore for the first time, in his 250th Grand Prix, but Kimi Antonelli still leads the championship by 102 points and could clinch it in Austin.
Questions and Answers
Who won the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen of Red Bull won on 11 October 2026, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Was this Verstappen's first win in Singapore?
Yes. It was also his 73rd Formula One win and came in his 250th Grand Prix start.
Who leads the 2026 drivers' championship?
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, with 340 points, 102 ahead of teammate George Russell.
Can the title be decided at the next race?
According to one report, Antonelli could clinch the championship at the next race in Austin.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
