Singapore GP: Verstappen dominates for first Marina Bay win, Antonelli extends lead

[Gaz]

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix from pole, finishing 7.3 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, Formula 1's official race report says. Kimi Antonelli completed the podium in third. It was Verstappen's 73rd career win and his first ever in a Singapore Grand Prix. After winning the sprint on Saturday, he completed a perfect weekend

Verstappen kept the lead into Turn 1 after a defensive move against Leclerc, who had made a strong start. He built a gap of 17.9 seconds over Norris by lap 28. A smooth pit stop on lap 33, switching from soft to medium tyres, kept him in front. Despite team radio problems that meant Red Bull had to use the pit board, he was never seriously threatened

There were two virtual safety cars. The first came around lap seven when Gabriel Bortoleto's Audi slowed with a possible gearbox problem and then caught fire, which marshals put out. The second followed Lance Stroll's stoppage with a clutch issue around lap 39. Franco Colapinto also retired with a driveline problem, and Alex Albon retired late but was still classified

Behind the podium, Lando Norris finished fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth, with McLaren avoiding a repeat of their sprint collision. Piastri recovered from a slow puncture and a second stop, passing Hamilton for fifth. Hamilton finished sixth, ahead of Liam Lawson, Nico Hulkenberg, George Russell and Isack Hadjar. Russell recovered from 19th on the grid to ninth

Verstappen said it had taken a while, but he thought the race was very good, adding that the team had pace when it needed it on both tyre compounds. Antonelli's third place extends his championship lead over Russell. It was a commanding display from Verstappen in a hot, humid race. Red Bull's improvements look very real

Was this Verstappen's most dominant weekend of the season? And can anyone stop Antonelli taking the title now?

Verstappen seals commanding Singapore victorywww.formula1.com