Verstappen wins first Singapore Grand Prix as Antonelli nears title

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time, beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as Kimi Antonelli moved closer to the Formula 1 world title. BBC Sport reported that the Red Bull driver controlled the race after defending his lead at the start, following up his first victory of the season in Malaysia the previous weekend.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxOsiO6o4Wg

Leclerc made the stronger getaway and challenged on the inside approaching the opening corner. Verstappen defended towards the pit wall and retained the position when Leclerc backed out. Lewis Hamilton initially followed the leading pair but began losing ground from around the fifth lap. Leclerc remained within a second for several more laps before Verstappen steadily extended his advantage.

Hamilton's tyre strategy became central to the battle behind them. He started on medium tyres, unlike Verstappen and Leclerc on softs, but stopped on lap 18 to switch to the softer compound. Leclerc changed to mediums on lap 24 and emerged just ahead of his team-mate. Hamilton questioned Ferrari's decision not to move Leclerc aside while he had the stronger pace.

A virtual safety car on lap 39 gave Leclerc and Antonelli an opportunity to make another stop with less time lost. Hamilton stayed out and moved into second, but Leclerc caught and passed him on lap 46. The Ferrari driver then pursued Verstappen without getting closer than 7.3 seconds. Hamilton continued to the finish on his existing soft tyres, completing a 44-lap stint as their grip deteriorated.

Antonelli secured third after a decisive sequence on lap 54. Lando Norris attempted to pass Hamilton, who went off at the first corner, and Antonelli took the opportunity to overtake the McLaren before also passing Hamilton later that lap. Norris subsequently got ahead of Hamilton, while Oscar Piastri passed the Ferrari on the final lap to leave Hamilton sixth.

George Russell recovered from 19th on the grid to ninth, allowing Mercedes team-mate Antonelli to extend his championship lead to 102 points. According to BBC Sport, Antonelli can clinch his first world title at the United States Grand Prix on 25 October if he wins and Russell finishes ninth or lower. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar recovered from the back to take the final point in tenth.