Verstappen wins Singapore Grand Prix for first time

Max Verstappen secured his first career victory at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, completing a weekend that included a sprint race win and pole positions for both races. After fending off an early challenge from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the start line, the Red Bull driver controlled the 62-lap race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. According to the New Straits Times, Verstappen finished 7.335 seconds ahead of Leclerc, with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli finishing third.

The race saw significant movement among the leaders toward the end. While Leclerc maintained second place, Lewis Hamilton dropped to sixth following what Yahoo Sports described as a baffling strategy involving an attempt to run soft tyres for 44 laps. Hamilton was overtaken in the closing stages by Antonelli and the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Business Times - Singapore reported that Hamilton was passed by Norris on the 55th lap and by Piastri on the final lap.

Antonelli’s third-place finish, alongside teammate George Russell finishing ninth, extended his championship lead to 102 points. Yahoo Sports and BBC Sport noted that Antonelli could potentially clinch his first world title at the United States Grand Prix on 25 October if he wins and Russell finishes ninth or lower. The event drew a crowd of 301,294 fans, which The Business Times - Singapore noted was the second-highest attendance on record for the race.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times, Yahoo Sports, The Business Times - Singapore, BBC Sport, Motorsport.com — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.