For a driver who has conquered almost everything Formula 1 has thrown at him, the Singapore Grand Prix has remained a particularly stubborn exception for Max Verstappen.

But, tonight he finally claimed his maiden Singapore Grand Prix victory on Sunday, completing a remarkable clean sweep of the 2026 race weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

The four-time World Champion had already secured pole position and victory in Singapore’s inaugural Sprint race, before adding another pole position for Sunday’s main event.

In his 250th Grand Prix start, Verstappen delivered the finishing touch. Starting from the 50th pole position of his career, the 29-year-old Dutchman led all 62 laps to finish 7.335 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli completing the podium.

It marked Verstappen’s 73rd Formula 1 victory, moving him into fourth place in the Drivers’ World Championship.

A Long-Awaited Victory

The opening lap would prove crucial. Verstappen held off Leclerc into Turn 1, maintaining the advantage he had worked so hard to secure during qualifying. From there, the Red Bull driver gradually established a comfortable lead, building a four-second advantage by quarter-distance.

By the halfway point, that margin had grown to almost 20 seconds following the opening round of pit stops. A Virtual Safety Car period shortly afterwards introduced some strategic uncertainty, with teams adopting different approaches to tyre selection and pit stops. But while the chasing pack shuffled its strategies, Verstappen remained firmly in control.

“It’s taken a while,” Verstappen admitted after the race. “But I think this race was very good! We’re very happy to win here.”

Leclerc, meanwhile, pushed hard in pursuit, setting the fastest lap of 1 minute 35.202 seconds on lap 41. “We did a slightly different strategy to Max with the Safety Car,” the Ferrari driver explained. “I pushed a lot at the beginning of that last stint. I gave it my all and I don’t regret anything.”

Antonelli Impresses As Ferrari’s Strategy Falters

While Verstappen enjoyed a relatively uneventful afternoon at the front, the battle behind him was considerably more entertaining.

Lewis Hamilton initially appeared set for a two-stop strategy, only to change his approach as the race progressed. The decision ultimately compromised his pace, prompting the seven-time World Champion to apologise to his Ferrari team over the radio. “I let you down with my strategy. It was my call, and I cost you valuable points. I’ll try and make up for it in the next one.”

Antonelli, meanwhile, produced one of the race’s standout moments on lap 54. The 20-year-old Italian capitalised on a battle between Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris, overtaking both drivers to secure third place.

His afternoon was not entirely without controversy, however, as a fourth track-limits infringement earned him a five-second penalty. Fortunately for the Mercedes driver, his advantage over fourth-placed Norris was sufficient to retain his podium finish. “It was a very tough race out there,” Antonelli said. “I managed to take advantage of the fight of Lando and Lewis to make the move on both.”

Despite Marina Bay’s reputation for punishing mistakes, only three of the 22 starters retired from the race. Gabriel Bortoleto suffered gearbox problems in his Audi, Franco Colapinto retired with a driveline issue, while Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin succumbed to clutch failure.

A Weekend Of Firsts

Verstappen’s victory makes him the ninth different winner of the Singapore Grand Prix, ending a lengthy wait for success at one of Formula 1’s most demanding circuits.

More importantly, it underlines Red Bull’s improving competitiveness as the championship enters its remaining rounds.

Having secured both pole positions and victories across the Sprint and Grand Prix, Verstappen leaves Singapore with maximum satisfaction and renewed momentum.

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Seventeen editions on, and the Singapore Grand Prix continues to demonstrate that Formula 1’s original night race has lost none of its appeal.

The 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix has recorded another sold-out weekend, attracting 301,294 spectators across three days at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. It marks the event’s second-highest attendance on record and its largest turnout since modifications were made to the circuit in 2023.

A Historic Weekend On Track

This year’s event introduced Sprint racing to Singapore for the first time, adding another competitive dimension to an already demanding race weekend. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen emerged victorious from an incident-filled Sprint race, before securing pole position for Sunday’s 62-lap Grand Prix.

Remarkably, despite his four Formula 1 World Championships, the Dutchman had never previously secured pole position or won a Grand Prix at Marina Bay. His performances this weekend have therefore placed him in an excellent position to finally add Singapore to his list of victories.

“It’s great to come to a circuit where we’ve struggled in the past and be competitive,” Verstappen said following his Sprint victory.

“We’ve done everything right up until now – but the most important thing tomorrow will be getting a clean start.”

With 22 drivers preparing to tackle the unforgiving street circuit, however, there is still plenty of opportunity for Marina Bay to spring a surprise.

More Than Just Motorsport

Of course, the Singapore Grand Prix has never been solely about what happens on the circuit. Its distinctive combination of motorsport, entertainment and hospitality has helped establish the event as one of Formula 1’s most recognisable destinations.

This year’s edition also recorded its highest hospitality attendance to date, with guests choosing from more than 11 premium hospitality offerings. These included the Formula 1 Paddock Club and TWENTY3, the latter featuring pop-up restaurants helmed by chefs holding a combined 30 Michelin stars.

A floating Barge Stage in Zone 1 hosted performances by DJ Snake, Major Lazer Soundsystem and Rev Run, while an expanded Waterside enclave in Zone 4 provided a more relaxed setting beneath the trees. Race Day’s entertainment programme also features Lana Del Rey, Janet Jackson, James Arthur and Mark Ronson.

Singapore’s Night Race Continues To Shine

With more than 300,000 spectators filling the grandstands and walkabout areas, the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix has once again reinforced its position as a major event on the international motorsport calendar.

With another sold-out weekend in the books, Singapore’s night race appears to be showing no signs of slowing down.

Photo Credits: Singapore GP Communications

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The strangest thing about starting a Lamborghini Temerario is that, sometimes, nothing happens. You lift the little red fighter-jet cover, thumb the starter and wait for the sort of explosion that normally accompanies waking a Lamborghini.

Instead, there is a whirr. Perhaps a beep. Then silence.

The Temerario defaults to its Città driving mode and, battery permitting, moves away under electric power alone. So here you are, sitting in a low, wide, wedge-shaped Lamborghini with a hexagonal exhaust pipe large enough to accommodate household pets, gliding out of the carpark with all the menace of a golf buggy.

Do not worry. The noise comes later. And when it does, it arrives courtesy of one of the most remarkable combustion engines fitted to a modern road car: an all-new 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 that spins to 10,000rpm.

The future, Lamborghini seems to be saying, can wait outside for a moment.

The Temerario replaces the Huracán, which means it has inherited one of the more difficult jobs in the car industry.

Its predecessor had a naturally aspirated V10. That alone was enough to make the Huracán interesting before you got to the dramatic styling, ridiculous performance or the fact that simply seeing one at a petrol station could brighten your Tuesday.

The Temerario has eight cylinders instead. It also has two turbochargers, a plug and three electric motors.

On paper, this sounds like the usual story of modern performance cars: fewer cylinders, more electronics and a press release full of assurances that everything is actually better now. Except Lamborghini appears to have taken the loss of its V10 rather personally.

So it built a flat-plane-crank V8 from scratch, gave it titanium connecting rods and allowed it to rev to 10,000rpm. The petrol engine alone produces 800hp, while the complete hybrid system delivers 920hp. Two electric motors drive the front wheels, while another sits between the engine and eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The result is four-wheel drive, 0 to 100km/h in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 343km/h.

The clever bit is not simply that Lamborghini has thrown electric motors at the problem, but rather how they are used. Large turbochargers are useful when an engine is spinning at enormous speeds because they can shift a great deal of air. Unfortunately, large turbochargers also tend to take time to wake up.

The Temerario’s electric motors fill that gap. At low engine speeds, electrical assistance supplies the response that the turbos cannot. As the revs rise and boost builds, the V8 gradually takes over, so instead of a large lump of torque suddenly arriving halfway through a corner, the acceleration builds progressively.

Put your foot down and the car simply goes. Very quickly. Even with its relatively small battery depleted, the Temerario can still call upon close to 800hp from the combustion engine, while hard braking rapidly replenishes enough energy for the electrical assistance to rejoin proceedings.

In electric mode, the combustion engine stays asleep and the front motors pull the car along, effectively turning your 920CV Lamborghini into a front-wheel-drive EV producing roughly the power of a modest hatchback. Pure-electric range is only around 10km.

Some will inevitably ask what the point is, but imagine returning home late at night. Your neighbour does not need to hear a 10,000rpm V8 announce your arrival, since they almost certainly know what you drive.

There is also something wonderfully absurd about possessing a car capable of 343km/h and deliberately using 2 per cent of its personality to creep silently through a basement carpark.

The really unusual bit happens towards the far end of the rev counter. Turbocharged road-car engines generally do not rev to 10,000rpm. Motorcycles do, racing engines do, and household appliances do, presumably, shortly before their warranties become invalid.

Low down, the engine is not especially melodic. The flat-plane V8 can sound hard-edged and slightly industrial, particularly compared with the glorious V10 it replaces. The real magic arrives above roughly 6,500rpm, where the engine becomes increasingly fierce as it chases that five-figure redline.

That also creates a slight problem; by the time you have properly begun exploring the top half of the rev range, you will already be travelling at speeds that invite difficult conversations with the authorities.

There is simply no legal stretch of Singapore road long enough to properly exploit what the drivetrain can do. It is the motoring equivalent of buying a Steinway grand piano for a studio apartment. You can still enjoy owning it, just not at full volume.

Perhaps that is why one of the Temerario’s more impressive talents has nothing to do with speed.

The Temerario has up to 13 combinations of its driving and hybrid-energy settings, built around Città, Strada, Sport and Corsa modes. Yet you do not need a laminated instruction card to drive it to lunch.

Leave everything sensible and it is remarkably approachable. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission will shuffle through the gears by itself. The suspension can be made compliant enough to tolerate imperfect roads, while a front-axle lift system is available for ramps and speed humps.

Sport mode actually allows the Temerario to feel more rear-driven and playful, while Corsa calls more heavily on the front electric motors to maximise traction and lap-time efficiency. There are even three levels of drift assistance. This is perhaps evidence that Lamborghini understands its customers very well.

Electrification does have a price, and the currency is weight. The Temerario is more than 250kg heavier than the Huracán it replaces. Unlike the Revuelto, it does not use a carbon-fibre tub, relying instead on an aluminium spaceframe.

Ordinarily, adding the equivalent of several adult passengers to a sports car would be considered poor form. Here, the electric motors help tons. The front pair are not simply there for straight-line traction. They can distribute torque to help the car turn, pulling the nose into a corner in ways that would require a complicated mechanical four-wheel-drive system otherwise.

The Temerario still has enormous capability, but it does not require enormous courage to access it. I liken its character more closely to a Porsche 911 Turbo than a GT3 RS: ferociously fast and very effective, without demanding that every journey become qualifying at Monza.

The Huracán could occasionally seem as though it wanted to test whether you deserved to be driving it. The Temerario seems more interested in helping.

Whether this represents progress or a worrying decline in standards of intimidation is up to you. At the very least, there should be no uncertainty over what you are looking at.

It remains low, wide and angular, although compared with some of Sant’Agata’s more recent creations, its basic shape is almost restrained.

The narrow headlights give the nose a permanent scowl, while hexagonal daytime running lamps sit lower down, each with an air intake through its centre. Air is directed through the body to feed the brakes, cool the engine and create downforce rather than merely decorating the car with holes.

The engine itself is left exposed beneath the rear deck and at the back sits the huge central hexagonal exhaust, surrounded by enough vents and aerodynamic furniture to make very clear that luggage capacity was not the first item on the design brief.

There is an Alleggerita package, too, which adds more carbon fibre, more aggressive aerodynamics and, with carbon wheels fitted, removes around 30kg. Lamborghini says the package substantially increases downforce and aero efficiency.

The interior contains another surprise. The wheelbase is longer than the Huracán’s, giving the Temerario noticeably more headroom and shoulder room, and simply climbing aboard is easier than before. There is even a 112-litre compartment in the nose, enough for a couple of modest bags.

The steering wheel falls naturally to hand, visibility is reasonable by mid-engined-supercar standards, and the new Comfort seats are apparently worthy of the name.

A central infotainment display handles multimedia and climate functions, while an optional passenger display means whoever is sitting beside you can see exactly how fast you are travelling and begin composing their complaint with accurate supporting evidence.

Thankfully, some theatre remains physical. The starter button still hides beneath its red cover, the vast gearshift paddles are fixed to the steering column and the cabin contains enough hexagons to make a honeybee feel at home.

The easy thing would have been to mourn the V10. Instead, Lamborghini appears to have approached hybridisation with the same attitude it applies to everything else: if something must be done, it should preferably be done to excess.

It is heavier, vastly more complicated and probably impossible to repair in 30 years without access to several computers and an electrical engineering degree.

But, it still has the important ingredient: drama.

The Huracán gave that to you immediately, with ten cylinders and very little subtlety. The Temerario makes you wait. You press the starter, and nothing happens.

You glide away silently, then you turn the red dial, the V8 wakes up and, somewhere beyond 6,500rpm, the future suddenly sounds rather good.

Technical Specifications

Lamborghini Temerario

Engine: 4-litre V8
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Power: 907 bhp
Torque: 730 Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A) dual-clutch
0-100km/h: 2.7 seconds
Top Speed: 343 km/h
Fuel Economy: Just enjoy that V8 man.
Price: POA

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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All good things must eventually come to an end. Even when they involve 750PS, a lightweight carbon-fibre construction and enough performance to make most supercars feel rather ordinary.

McLaren has confirmed that production of the 750S will conclude in 2027, bringing the curtain down on one of the British manufacturer’s most celebrated supercar platforms.

Final orders are now being accepted, giving enthusiasts one last opportunity to secure a car that represents the culmination of nearly a decade of lightweight V8 engineering.

The story began in 2017 with the introduction of the McLaren 720S. At the time, the 720S established a new benchmark for the marque, combining striking aerodynamic design with exceptional performance and lightweight construction.

It quickly became one of the defining supercars of its generation, collecting numerous accolades, including Top Gear’s Performance Car of the Year and the 2019 World Performance Car award.

The 720S platform subsequently spawned the track-focused 765LT, a more extreme interpretation of the formula that placed an even greater emphasis on driver engagement and outright performance. Then, in 2023, came the 750S.

Rather than reinventing the 720S, McLaren took an evolutionary approach with the 750S, refining almost every aspect of its predecessor. Approximately 30 per cent of its components were either new or revised, resulting in a car that was lighter, more powerful and more responsive.

With 750PS and a dry weight of just 1,277kg, the 750S demonstrated McLaren’s enduring philosophy that removing weight can be just as effective as adding horsepower. The improvements extended beyond outright performance, with updated technology and a more driver-focused cabin. It was an exercise in making an already exceptional supercar that little bit better.

The 750S secured multiple international awards, including Top Gear’s Performance Car of the Year in 2024, further cementing its place among the most accomplished supercars of its generation.

Beyond its performance credentials, the 750S has also served as a showcase for McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the manufacturer’s bespoke personalisation division.

Special commissions such as the 750S with 3-7-59 Theme and Project Viva have demonstrated the possibilities available to customers seeking something more individual.

The same platform has also provided the foundation for the recently unveiled 788HS, an exclusive derivative limited to just 200 examples, each individually commissioned through MSO.

“The 750S represents everything that defines a McLaren supercar: benchmark performance, thrilling driver engagement, technical innovation, expressive design, and defined personalisation. It will leave behind an extraordinary legacy,”

Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer of McLaren Automotive.

With production scheduled to conclude in 2027, the 750S will close a chapter that began with the 720S and evolved through some of McLaren’s most celebrated road cars.

While McLaren has yet to outline what will succeed the 750S, its departure represents a significant moment for the British manufacturer.

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Ever wondered what it feels like to drive a Porsche the way its engineers intended, without having to worry about speed cameras, traffic lights or the occasional road hog? Come April 2027, Singaporeans will finally have somewhere to find out.

Porsche has officially opened bookings for its upcoming Porsche Experience Centre Singapore (PEC Singapore), with driving experiences starting from S$300.

The announcement was made during Porsche’s Raceborn Fest, held from 9 to 11 October 2026 at Guoco Midtown, as the German sports car manufacturer celebrates 75 years of motorsport heritage.

Located in Changi, PEC Singapore will become the 11th Porsche Experience Centre worldwide and the first specifically developed to serve Southeast Asia.

At its heart is a purpose-built driving circuit measuring more than two kilometres, featuring 18 corners designed to showcase the performance capabilities of Porsche’s sports cars. Under professional supervision, participants will be able to experience speeds of up to 200km/h and cornering forces reaching 1.4G.

Porsche will also offer programmes covering vehicle control, emergency manoeuvres and road safety, allowing participants to develop their driving skills in a controlled environment.

Introductory experiences start at S$300 for a Co-Pilot session, while a 30-minute guided driving experience costs from S$450. Bookings are now available through the official PEC Singapore website, with experiences commencing from April 2027.

While the circuit will undoubtedly attract enthusiasts, Porsche has designed the centre to appeal to a much wider audience. Visitors can expect dining establishments, simulator experiences, children’s play areas, changing heritage exhibitions and dedicated community spaces.

The facility is also intended to become an integrated Porsche ownership destination, bringing together vehicle sales, deliveries, aftersales services and Porsche Approved pre-owned vehicle operations. Interestingly, eligible new Porsche vehicles registered through Porsche Singapore from 1 January 2027 will include complimentary driving experiences at the centre, depending on the model and programme.

“The Porsche Experience Centre Singapore will bring car enthusiasts together, while offering experiences beyond the track for families and the wider public.”

Jean Ng, Assistant Chief Executive of the Experience Development Group at the Singapore Tourism Board.

The booking announcement coincides with Raceborn Fest, a free public event celebrating Porsche’s racing heritage. Among the highlights is a rare 1971 Porsche 917 KH, specially flown in from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

The legendary racer is joined by the 911 GT3 R Rennsport, the classic Porsche 356 and the new Porsche 911 Challenge race car, making its Southeast Asian debut.

“Motorsport has been at the heart of Porsche for 75 years, and the Raceborn Fest allows us to share that passion with Singaporeans and international racing fans during one of the most exciting weeks on the motorsport calendar.”

Ragnar Schulte, CEO of Porsche Asia Pacific

Bookings are now open at www.pecsingapore.com, with experiences available from April 2027 onwards.

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The German sports car manufacturer has introduced a new generation of its Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus) system, bringing contemporary connectivity and navigation features to selected 911, Boxster and Cayman models produced between 2009 and 2016.

Better still, the system is designed to integrate seamlessly into the original dashboard, preserving the appearance of these increasingly desirable modern classics.

The latest PCCM Plus introduces a seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Owners can access smartphone navigation, music and communication functions without the inconvenience of outdated interfaces or aftermarket installations that look out of place.

More importantly, Porsche has ensured that the system retains compatibility with existing vehicle functions. Where equipped, the multifunction steering wheel can control the infotainment system, while navigation instructions and music information can continue to appear within the instrument cluster.

The system also introduces several useful enhancements, including satellite navigation imagery, over-the-air map updates and the ability to display oil temperature and pressure information.

For Boxster and Cayman owners, the previously audio-only parking assistance system can now display the distance to obstacles visually. There is even a Scenic Roads navigation function that prioritises winding, picturesque routes over conventional journeys.

Beyond smartphone connectivity, the new PCCM Plus supports Bluetooth audio streaming, 4G connectivity through a nano SIM card slot and integration with existing vehicle sound systems. Depending on local regulations, YouTube playback is also supported while the vehicle is stationary. Owners can even customise the virtual vehicle displayed on the screen to match their Porsche’s exterior colour.

Two versions of the system are available, covering the 997.2-generation 911 and 987.2-generation Boxster and Cayman, as well as the later 991.1-generation 911 and 981-generation Boxster and Cayman. Together, these models represent more than 300,000 potential vehicles worldwide.

The new PCCM Plus is available through Porsche Centres worldwide, with installation at an authorised Porsche Centre recommended to ensure proper integration with the vehicle’s existing systems.

Singapore owners can contact Porsche Service Centre Singapore for details regarding local pricing, compatibility and availability.

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Marina Bay has never been particularly kind to Max Verstappen. For all his achievements in Formula 1, the Singapore Grand Prix has remained one of the few races where the Dutchman has struggled to impose his usual dominance.

But if Saturday’s proceedings were anything to go by, that particular chapter might finally be coming to an end.

Verstappen enjoyed a historic day at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, winning Singapore’s inaugural Formula 1 Sprint race before claiming his first Grand Prix pole position at the venue.

Rain, Retirements And A Rather Expensive Mistake

Heavy rain delayed the start of the Sprint by 30 minutes, leaving drivers to contend with a slippery circuit that would eventually claim nine retirements.

Mercedes driver George Russell initially looked set to spoil Verstappen’s afternoon, making an excellent start to seize the lead. However, his advantage lasted less than a lap.

Approaching Turn 19, Russell lost control after running onto a white line, spinning 180 degrees into the barriers and bringing out the Safety Car.

The ensuing five-lap Safety Car period did little to settle proceedings. Contact between Lance Stroll and Sergio Pérez was followed by mechanical problems for Isack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto, while Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas were also eliminated.

With nine drivers retiring, the 30th Formula 1 Sprint became the one with the fewest classified finishers.

Once racing resumed, however, Verstappen was effectively untouchable. The Red Bull driver controlled proceedings to finish 2.591 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc completing an all-Ferrari podium behind him.

Kimi Antonelli kept his Mercedes out of trouble to finish fourth, extending his championship advantage over Russell to 89 points. Further down the order, Liam Lawson secured fifth for Racing Bulls, ahead of Oliver Bearman and Nico Hülkenberg.

McLaren endured a particularly frustrating afternoon after Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided while pursuing Leclerc. Norris managed to finish eighth, while Piastri retired.

“We got a bit lucky with what happened with George,” Verstappen acknowledged. “After that, we just wanted to keep it calm and under control.”

Fifty Poles, But Only One At Marina Bay

If the Sprint victory was impressive, Verstappen’s performance in Grand Prix qualifying was arguably even more significant.

The Dutchman delivered a lap of 1 minute 31.373 seconds in Q3, averaging 194.118km/h around Marina Bay’s unforgiving street circuit. It was enough to secure the 50th pole position of his Formula 1 career, and remarkably, his first for a full Singapore Grand Prix.

Leclerc came agonisingly close, finishing just 0.054 seconds behind to secure the other front-row position, while Hamilton completed the top three.

“The margins are very close between us throughout Qualifying,” Verstappen said. “Very happy to be on pole, because this is of course the one that I wanted. The car has been very strong all weekend.”

Leclerc admitted that Ferrari had been within touching distance of the benchmark. “I think there was the potential to be on pole, but Max just did a better job,” he said.

Hamilton, meanwhile, struggled with oversteer during Q3 despite having topped the opening two qualifying segments.

Antonelli qualified fourth, while Russell’s grid penalty will send him towards the back of the field despite setting the sixth-fastest time.

McLaren’s Norris and Piastri will line up together on the third row, setting the stage for another potentially awkward afternoon following their Sprint collision.

One More Race To Win

For Verstappen, Saturday’s achievements represent a significant breakthrough at a circuit that has historically resisted his efforts.

Yet the four-time World Champion was hardly in a celebratory mood.

“I want to win tomorrow,” he said after securing his 13th Sprint victory. “I don’t see this as a win in terms of actually winning a Grand Prix. I’m very pleased to win the Singapore sprint, but I want to win tomorrow.”

Elsewhere, Marco Giltrap strengthened his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship campaign with victory in the opening race, finishing 1.340 seconds ahead of Alessandro Ghiretti, with title rival Marcus Amand third.

Photo Credits: Singapore GP Communications

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For all his victories, championships and records, there has been one particular achievement that has continued to elude Max Verstappen: pole position at Marina Bay. Until now.

The four-time Formula 1 World Champion made history on Thursday evening, securing pole position for Singapore’s first-ever Sprint race with a blistering lap of 1 minute 31.156 seconds.

It was a fitting milestone for the 29-year-old Dutchman, who will also make his 250th Grand Prix start this weekend.

A Last-Minute Charge Under The Lights

With the clock ticking down in the final segment of Sprint Qualifying, Verstappen switched from Pirelli’s Medium tyres to the softer compound and promptly found another level of performance.

His final lap, completed at an average speed of 194.580km/h, placed him just 0.120 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completing the top three.

“It’s always close here in Singapore. But once we bolted on the Soft tyres it felt as if the car was coming alive a bit more. Being in the cockpit here is just like a sauna, and trying to do some exercise in it!”

Max Verstappen, Oracle Red Bull Racing

Anyone who has experienced Singapore’s humidity will understand the comparison. Now imagine enduring it while wrestling a Formula 1 car through 19 corners at racing speeds.

The result also marks Verstappen’s first Sprint pole of the 2026 season, although his achievement remains subject to a stewards’ investigation concerning an alleged overtake on Lewis Hamilton during a yellow-flag period.

The incident followed debris being shed by Sergio Perez’s Cadillac, which subsequently triggered a red flag.

Mercedes Shows Promise, But Antonelli Struggles

Russell had earlier topped the sole practice session with a 1:32.274, suggesting Mercedes could be a genuine contender around Marina Bay.

The Briton carried that pace into qualifying, narrowly missing pole despite facing engine-related penalties that will send him to the back of the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

“We’ve been competitive all day. The sport is driven by the stopwatch and so far, the stopwatch hasn’t been great.”

George Russell, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

His team-mate Kimi Antonelli endured a considerably more difficult evening. Despite holding an 84-point advantage in the championship standings, the Italian struggled with an unpredictable Mercedes and finished almost half a second behind Russell.

“The car is very unpredictable, it’s very difficult to put a lap together. I don’t see where we can find so much time.”

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualified fourth and fifth respectively, ahead of Hamilton in the second Ferrari. Liam Lawson secured eighth for Racing Bulls, while Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly completed the top ten.

Singapore’s First Sprint Weekend Gets Underway

A telemetry glitch following SQ1 temporarily disrupted proceedings, while Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad found himself 17th after struggling to put together a competitive lap.

Elsewhere, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship contender Marcus Amand topped Free Practice with a 2:02.698, setting up an intriguing conclusion to the series this weekend.

Saturday’s 21-lap Sprint will see the top eight finishers score championship points, and with Russell showing competitive pace and Antonelli looking to recover lost ground, Verstappen is unlikely to enjoy an uncontested run to the chequered flag.

For now, though, the Dutchman has finally conquered one of Formula 1’s most demanding qualifying venues.

Photo Credits: Singapore GP Communications

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The Aston Martin DB12 has never exactly been short of performance. But apparently, 680PS simply was not enough.

Now we have the new DB12 S, the latest model to receive Aston Martin’s performance-focused S treatment and now officially approved for sale in Singapore. It joins the Vantage S and DBX S locally, with prices starting from S$1,080,000 before COE and options.

Under that long bonnet remains Aston Martin’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, now producing 700PS and 800Nm.

That is only 20PS more than the regular DB12, but outright power is merely part of the story. The century sprint drops from 3.6 to 3.5 seconds, while top speed stands at 325km/h. More significantly, Aston Martin has recalibrated the chassis and powertrain to give the S a keener edge, while carbon ceramic brakes are fitted as standard.

The visual changes follow the same philosophy. A new dual-element front splitter and bonnet louvres give the nose greater purpose, while gloss black sill extensions, a fixed rear spoiler and revised diffuser make the S noticeably more assertive.

Despite its newfound aggression, Aston Martin insists the DB12 S remains faithful to the Super Tourer philosophy. The cabin gains S-specific detailing, bespoke trim finishes and a choice of leather and Alcantara, while retaining the refinement expected of a car designed to cross continents rather than merely attack corners.

“With the approval of DB12 S for the Singapore market, we are pleased to bring the latest expression of Aston Martin’s S performance philosophy to our customers here. DB12 S combines the heightened performance and driver engagement expected of an S model with the refinement, craftsmanship and long-distance capability that define the DB12.”

Ian Grant, General Manager of Aston Martin Singapore.

The regular DB12 was already designed to sit somewhere between grand tourer and sports car. The S simply nudges that needle a little further towards the latter.

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There are few tougher places to test a tyre than motorsport. Now imagine asking one to deal with 815bhp, all-wheel drive, 0-100km/h in 1.8 seconds, changing weather and street circuits lined with concrete walls.

That is the challenge facing Bridgestone as it becomes the sole tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from the 2026/27 season, marking the company’s return to an FIA World Championship.

Formula E’s new GEN4 car represents the championship’s biggest performance leap yet. Peak power rises to 600kW, or 815bhp, while permanent active all-wheel drive helps the car reach 100km/h in just 1.8 seconds. Top speed stands at 335km/h, making it the fastest and most powerful Formula E car yet.

Keeping all of that attached to the road will be Bridgestone’s new POTENZA GEN4 tyre. Designed specifically for the new car, it has been engineered to deliver high levels of grip while remaining adaptable to the different circuits and weather conditions encountered across Formula E’s global calendar.

There is also a dedicated POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE, developed for heavy rain and standing water.

“We pushed the limits of our technology to fully unlock the overwhelming performance of GEN4,” said Hiroshi Imai, Bridgestone’s Executive Officer, CPO, Global Motorsports.

For Bridgestone, the return is about more than putting its name on the sidewall.

The company has long described motorsport as a “mobile laboratory”, using the extreme demands of racing to develop technologies that can eventually influence road-going tyres.

Sustainability is another major part of the GEN4 programme. Bridgestone says 65 per cent of the materials allocated to each tyre are recycled or renewable, including carbon black derived from end-of-life tyres and silica produced from rice husks. Renewable energy is also allocated for the heat and electricity used during production.

“Our return to the FIA World Championship is an exciting re-entry that embodies Bridgestone’s history of passion and innovation,” said Yasuhiro Morita, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer of Bridgestone Corporation.

“On the supreme stage of Formula E, we will further evolve the balance of performance and sustainability and pioneer a new future for mobility.”

The 2026/27 Formula E season is scheduled to begin in December 2026 and run for 21 races through July 2027.

Bridgestone will supply tyres throughout the championship and serve as title sponsor for four events across Mexico City, Berlin, Shanghai and the season finale in Tokyo.

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