Max Verstappen does as Max Verstappen is inclined to do by winning the Singapore Grand Prix from pole position – the 73rd victory of his astounding career under the city state’s floodlights.
Nobody gave him a whiff of a title chance before the season started yet he pulled off this remarkable win, a fightback from Red Bull, though one that gives him no opportunity of the world championship, really.
His triumph was majestic under the bulbs on the city circuit, by 10 seconds over Charles Leclerc, and reflects the fact that his Red Bull team are on a march and, and that their engine, newly made under the auspices of Christian Horner, is a success.
Charles Leclerc was second for Ferrari and Kimi Antonelli third. Lando Norris finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth, a place behind Oscar Piastri of McLaren.
Antonelli, the world-championship leader came up one place from where he started on the grid – he is streets ahead in the overall fight and on the day he did what he needed to do to secure his advantage in this regard. His lead will stand at 102 points ahead and he needs to be 126 in front after Austin, the next race, to clinch the next race. Nearly job done at 20 years of age.
Hamilton was in a war of words with Ferrari as he vied with Leclerc for position. ‘I need to use this speed, mate,’ said the seven-time world champion.
more to follow
Max Verstappen successfully handed an early move from Charles Leclerc (right)
