Singapore GP: Verstappen Wins, Antonelli Extends Lead
Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix, and Kimi Antonelli extended his F1 title lead to 102 points with six races left. The United States Grand Prix is next.
CN Quick Facts
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October 2026, 7.3 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) finished third and leads the drivers’ standings on 340 points
- Teammate George Russell is second on 238 points, 102 behind
- Six races remain, and Antonelli could clinch the title at the next one, in Austin, United States
- Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after a strategy error
What's in this Article
Who Won the Singapore Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen won the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday, 11 October. The Red Bull driver led from start to finish and took his first win at the track on his 250th Grand Prix start. It was his 73rd career victory.
Verstappen had also taken pole position and won Saturday’s sprint race. Charles Leclerc finished second, and Kimi Antonelli completed the podium in third.
Verstappen’s win followed his victory in Malaysia a week earlier, giving Red Bull back-to-back wins.
What Happened to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell?
Lewis Hamilton had been in podium contention but finished sixth. He apologised to Ferrari after failing to pit when the team called him in under a Virtual Safety Car (VSC), a period when drivers must slow down. He then lost places to Lando Norris, Antonelli and Oscar Piastri.
George Russell started 19th because of an engine penalty and finished ninth. That limited the damage to his title hopes, but it cost him ground in the championship.
Who Leads the F1 drivers’ Standings Now?
Antonelli leads the championship by 102 points after 17 of the 23 races. The top ten after Singapore: 2026 Driver Formula 1 standings.
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 340 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 238 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 229 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 221 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 215 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 201 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 138 |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 97 |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 75 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 41 |
How Do the Constructors’ Standings Look?
Mercedes lead the constructors’ championship comfortably, while the fight for third has tightened again after Singapore.
- Mercedes: 578 points
- Ferrari: 444 points
- McLaren: 339 points
- Red Bull: 332 points
Red Bull added 34 points over the Singapore weekend, from Max Verstappen’s win and Isack Hadjar’s tenth place. McLaren gained 23 through Lando Norris in fourth and Oscar Piastri in fifth. That leaves seven points between McLaren and Red Bull, down from 18 after Malaysia.
Ferrari scored 39 points but remain 134 behind Mercedes, who added 22. Racing Bulls are fifth on 100 points, and Cadillac, the sport’s newest team, remains on zero.
CN Explained: How can Antonelli win the title in Austin?
Six rounds remain, none with sprint races, which leaves 150 points available. That falls to 125 points after the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
If Antonelli leaves Austin with a lead of 125 points, he wins the championship with five rounds to spare. According to RaceFans, that requires three results:
- Antonelli wins the race
- Hamilton finishes outside the top five
- Russell finishes no higher than tenth
Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris remain mathematically in contention, but none of them can win the title if Antonelli wins in Austin.
Why Does this Matter to Kenyan Motorsport Fans?
Kenyan fans are watching a championship that could be decided within weeks, possibly well before the final rounds. The season is also unusual because of uncertainty over the last races. For fans closer to home, the Safari Rally has just been confirmed for the 2027 World Rally Championship calendar.
Who Is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is a Dutch racing driver who competes for Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Born in Hasselt, Belgium, on 30 September 1997, he grew up in a motorsport family, with former F1 driver Jos Verstappen as his father and accomplished karter Sophie Kumpen as his mother. After dominating karting, he progressed to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2014, finishing third overall, before making his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 without competing in Formula 2.
Verstappen joined Red Bull Racing midway through the 2016 season and won his debut race for the team at the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming Formula 1’s youngest-ever race winner at 18. He went on to secure four consecutive World Drivers’ Championship titles from 2021 to 2024, establishing himself among the sport’s all-time greats. After narrowly missing a fifth title in 2025, he returned to the grid in 2026 with Red Bull Racing, continuing his pursuit of further championship success.
What Happens Next?
The United States Grand Prix in Austin is the next round, on Sunday, 25 October 2026. After that, the remaining races are:
- Mexico City Grand Prix: 1st November
- Brazilian Grand Prix: 8th November
- Las Vegas Grand Prix: 22nd November
- Qatar Grand Prix: 29th November
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Season Finale
RaceFans reports that the war in Iran has cast doubt over whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds will go ahead, and that F1 has indicated it could replace one race with another at Imola. No change to the calendar had been confirmed in the sources reviewed. CarNews KE will report any official announcement.
Join the Conversation
💬 Can Antonelli clinch the title in Austin, or will Russell and Red Bull make him wait? Share your predictions in the comments and join the conversation on the CarTalk KE Forum, and follow CarNews KE for the latest motorsport updates.
No Comment! Be the first one.