Six editions since 2018, six different winners. The Singapore Grand Prix doesn’t do repeats unless they’re on the replay screen. This time, Russell owned the night, managing tyres, traffic and temperature with poise.
Behind him, Max Verstappen wrestled a difficult Red Bull into second, while Lando Norris bagged third for McLaren. Championship leader Oscar Piastri shadowed home in fourth, a papaya double that had significance tonight. McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship, back-to-back, needing only 13 points and collecting far more. Somewhere in Woking, the lights won’t be going off anytime soon.
How the race was won
Does Singapore still reward the front-row bully? On evidence, yes. Russell’s start was neat rather than nuclear, exactly what you want on a night when the track will happily punish enthusiasm. Once he cleared Turn 1, the job became part thermodynamics, part tempo. Manage the 4.927km rhythm, keep the fronts alive for rotation, and don’t get greedy with the kerbs. He played it like a metronome.
For those counting, this was the 11th win from pole in 16 renditions of the Singapore Grand Prix. Overtaking remains a contact sport with concrete, and the driver who controls the first stint usually controls the story.
McLaren’s night of numbers
Yes, the race winner wore silver, but the trophy engraver for the big one will be etching McLaren. The papaya pair finished P3 and P4, enough to slam the door on the Constructors’ with six rounds to spare. It’s their 10th title, and it feels earned the old-fashioned way.
Russell remains fourth in the Drivers’ standings on 212 points, chasing the McLaren duo Piastri (324) and Norris (299) with Verstappen (255) lodged between them and Mercedes’ spearhead.
Six races remain, beginning with the United States Grand Prix on 19 October in Texas.
Two years ago, Russell left here with the sort of last-lap ache that wakes you at 3am. Tonight, he left with the chequered flag and a neat line under the ledger.
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