Max Verstappen achieved his first victory in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix this Sunday, after dominating from start to finish on the Marina Bay street circuit and completing a perfect weekend for Red Bull. The Dutchman, who also won the sprint race on Saturday, achieved his second consecutive victory after winning last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, held in Malaysia.
Verstappen, who started from pole position, controlled the race without giving up the lead and crossed the finish line ahead of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, second with Ferrari, and the Italian Kimi Antonelli, third with Mercedes. The Dutchman added 33 points during the weekend and confirmed his recovery in the final stretch of the season.
The victory in Singapore had a special meaning for Verstappen, who had never managed to win in Marina Bay. The four-time world champion took advantage of the good performance of his car to dominate a track that had historically resisted him and celebrate his second consecutive victory in the championship.
Antonelli extends his lead in the Formula 1 World Championship
Antonelli’s third place reinforced his aspirations to win his first world championship. The young Italian driver, 20 years old, now has 340 points and is 102 points ahead of his teammate George Russell, who finished ninth after recovering from nineteenth position on the grid.
With seven races still to be played, Antonelli maintains a privileged position in the fight for the title and could become the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1. His first mathematical opportunity to become champion will come at the United States Grand Prix, scheduled for October 25, provided that the results allow him to reach the necessary difference.
Russell, for his part, needs to cut a considerable deficit to keep his chances alive. The Briton lost ground in Singapore, while Antonelli once again demonstrated consistency in a season in which he has achieved eight grand prix victories.
Verstappen gains ground in the standings
The victory allowed Verstappen to advance to fourth position in the drivers’ standings, with 221 points, behind Antonelli, Russell and Lewis Hamilton. The British driver from Ferrari occupies third place with 229 units, while Leclerc is fifth with 215.
The Singapore result also strengthened Mercedes in the constructors’ championship. The German team continues to lead with 561 points, ahead of Ferrari, which has 444, while McLaren and Red Bull continue fighting for the next positions.
Formula 1 will continue its calendar in two weeks with the United States Grand Prix, at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. There, Antonelli will have a new opportunity to get closer to the title, while Verstappen will try to extend his winning streak.
