Verstappen conquers Singapore as Hamilton tumbles from second to sixth after pit blunder on October 11
Kimi Antonelli extends his title lead to 102 points with third place in Singapore as Max Verstappen claims his first Marina Bay victory.
- Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time, leading the entire race on October 11.
- Lewis Hamilton fell from second to sixth place following a critical pit stop error.
- Hamilton's blunder occurred when he missed the pit entry during a virtual safety car period, forcing him to stay out on old tyres.
- Due to his worn tyres, Hamilton was vulnerable and subsequently overtaken by multiple drivers in the latter part of the race.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time on Sunday (October 11, 2026), finishing 7.335 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton dropped from second to sixth after missing a pit call and staying out on ageing tyres.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli seized third following a late battle involving Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris, extending his championship lead over team-mate George Russell to 102 points. Antonelli could clinch his first world title at the next round in Austin.
Verstappen celebrated his 250th Grand Prix start with his 73rd career victory, completing a Singapore weekend sweep of both pole positions, the sprint and the main race. The success followed his victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia.
Hamilton’s pit error triggers late podium battle
Hamilton missed a crucial opportunity to change tyres during a virtual safety car (VSC) period. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur told Sky Sports that both drivers had been called in after Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped, but Hamilton missed the pit entry.
“Under the VSC, the team called me in but I missed the entry,” Hamilton said. Hamilton subsequently chose to stay out and defend track position.
Hamilton moved into second when Leclerc stopped, although the advantage proved temporary. Leclerc used his fresher tyres to catch and pass Hamilton on lap 46, leaving the seven-time world champion increasingly vulnerable to the cars behind.
Antonelli capitalised when Hamilton ran wide while defending against Norris, overtaking the McLaren before passing Hamilton to claim third. Norris then moved ahead of Hamilton, while McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri completed another late pass to finish fifth.
Hamilton was investigated for leaving the track and gaining an advantage during the battle, but no further action was taken.
Verstappen stays in control through race interruptions
Verstappen led throughout the 62-lap race, defending against Leclerc into the first corner before building enough of an advantage to make his only pit stop on lap 33 without losing the lead.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto prompted an early interruption in Singapore when he stopped with an apparent gearbox problem. Bortoleto’s car subsequently caught fire after being recovered, with marshals extinguishing the flames while the pit-lane entry was briefly closed.
Stroll’s later stoppage brought another VSC period and contrasting strategy decisions among the frontrunners. Leclerc and Antonelli took the opportunity to stop again, while Verstappen continued on the medium tyres fitted at his earlier stop.
Radio problems complicated Verstappen’s communication with Red Bull, which used a pit board and asked the driver to signal responses through his microphone.
“It’s taken a while, but I think this race was very good,” Verstappen said after securing his first Singapore Grand Prix victory.
Leclerc said greater tyre degradation had restricted Ferrari’s challenge during the opening stint. Leclerc pushed hard at the beginning of his final stint, but the resulting tyre wear limited his ability to threaten Verstappen.
Albon classified 18th after late retirement
Thailand’s Alexander Albon was classified 18th for Williams despite retiring after completing 59 of the race’s 62 laps. Albon scored no points and remained 19th in the drivers’ championship with five.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson finished seventh, ahead of Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. Russell recovered to ninth after starting at the back because of engine penalties, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar came from the pit lane to take the final point in tenth.
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto also retired, joining Bortoleto, Stroll and Albon among the drivers who failed to finish.
Antonelli takes 102-point lead into Austin
Antonelli’s 14th podium of the season left the Mercedes driver on 340 points, with Russell on 238. Hamilton remained third in the championship on 229, ahead of Verstappen on 221 and Leclerc on 215.
Antonelli finished 24.573 seconds behind Verstappen in Singapore. The 20-year-old could become Formula One’s youngest world champion and Italy’s first since 1953, although Antonelli remained focused on producing another strong performance.
“Let’s try to do the best weekend as possible and finish the job,” Antonelli said.
The United States Grand Prix weekend takes place in Austin on October 23–25, giving Antonelli his first opportunity to secure the championship.
