Formula 1
BY
Hamir Thapar
  -  
October 5, 2025

Russell triumphs in sweltering Singapore as McLaren win the constructors

2025 Singapore Grand Prix: Race Report

George Russell has won the Singapore Grand Prix. After looking untouchable in qualifying with not one but two record-breaking laps, Russell fended off Max Verstappen at the start and ran largely untroubled thereafter. Some late race backmarkers were all he had to worry about. Russell came home 5.4s clear for his fifth career victory, his first since Canada, and a vital result as he continues his pursuit of a contract extension at Mercedes.

After qualifying second, Max Verstappen had no answer to Russel’s searing pace, despite starting the race on soft tyres. The reigning world champion battled balance issues and troublesome downshifts before finding himself under attack from Lando Norris in the closing stages. Norris’ pace advantage and fresher tyres saw him get close, particularly on lap 53. However, Verstappen held firm to claim second place and match his best result in Singapore.

Having dominated much of this season, McLaren now have the constructors’ title to show for it. Lando Norris’ third place was enough to secure the crown for McLaren, their tenth overall (a number that puts them ahead of Williams in the all-time rankings) and the first time they’ve won back-to-back titles since 1991. It wasn’t all plain sailing for McLaren, though, after starting fifth, three places behind his teammate, Norris found himself alongside Oscar Piastri at turn three. A snap of oversteer for Norris caused the two McLaren drivers to make contact. Norris went past, leaving Piastri to vent his frustration over the radio. A slow pitstop added to the championship leader’s strife. Norris’ late charge didn’t pay off, and he had to settle for third, one place ahead of Piastri.

Kimi Antonelli lost out to Charles Leclerc at the start but did well to stay with the Ferrari. Antonelli benefitted from the Scuderia’s late race drama as he passed Leclerc for fifth on lap 54. Lewis Hamilton, who had been running behind Antonelli in seventh, pitted for softs and swiftly closed up to the back of Antonelli, having been let past by Leclerc.

However, Hamilton’s hopes were squandered by a late race brake failure, which saw him slip behind both Antonelli and Leclerc and lose a staggering 55 seconds over the last three laps. Fernando Alonso nearly passed Hamilton for seventh and expressed his annoyance at another driver carrying on with brake trouble.

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Hamilton was placed under investigation for track limit violations and received a post-race five-second penalty that dropped him to eighth.

After seeing his Q3 efforts scuppered by a slow stop, Alonso converted his frustration into speed. The two-time world champion came out on top after a memorable dice with Isack Hadjar, pressured Alex Albon into a lockup on lap 43 and secured a credible seventh, ahead of Hamilton and Ollie Bearman, who survived a first corner collision with Hadjar to finish ninth.

After being excluded from qualifying through no fault of his own, Carlos Sainz opted for a lengthy first stint, only ditching his medium tyres on lap 50. The strategy paid off as Sainz was able to snatch the final points paying position in 10th.  Engine trouble meant Isack Hadjar was unable to maintain his eighth-place starting position and slipped to 11th, one place ahead of Yuki Tsunoda. Lance Stroll’s lengthy first stint did not pay dividends as he finished 13th ahead of Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg. The latter spun out of contention on lap 45 and was the last car over the line.

Verstappen leaves Singapore having gained just three points on Oscar Piastri. However, with tension simmering in the McLaren camp and Norris just 22 points behind his teammate, none of the leading trio can be ruled out completely.  

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