Verstappen Sweeps Singapore as Antonelli Extends Championship Lead
Max Verstappen produced a flawless weekend at Marina Bay, winning the final sprint race of the season and the Singapore Grand Prix from pole position. The Singapore Grand Prix driver ratings reflect a performance of total control, with Verstappen awarded a perfect 10/10 by Andrew Benson. The Red Bull driver also climbed from sixth to fourth in the drivers’ standings, though he remains 119 points behind the leader.
Championship after Marina Bay
Kimi Antonelli finished third in the grand prix and now leads Mercedes teammate George Russell by 102 points. The championship leader dealt with brake concerns and track limits on his way to the podium, earning an 8.5/10 rating. Russell’s weekend was far more turbulent. He crashed out of the sprint on lap one, then recovered from 19th to ninth in the grand prix, a drive rated 7/10.
Leclerc's consistency, McLaren's collision
Charles Leclerc delivered a strong weekend for Ferrari, finishing third in the sprint and second in the grand prix. His 9/10 rating was second only to Verstappen. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided in the sprint, costing both drivers. Piastri then suffered a slow puncture in the grand prix that forced an extra stop, yet still finished fifth and received a 7/10 rating. Norris was rated 6.5/10.
Hamilton's tyre gamble falls short
Lewis Hamilton ran in podium places but worn tyres dropped him to sixth by the flag. He was rated 7.5/10. Liam Lawson scored points in both races and earned an 8.5/10 rating. Nico Hulkenberg finished eighth in the grand prix and held off Russell, receiving an 8/10 rating. Isack Hadjar recovered from a pit lane start to score one point, also rated 8/10.
Midfield points and missed opportunities
Oliver Bearman scored three sprint points and was rated 7.5/10. Pierre Gasly missed points in both races, rated 7/10. Esteban Ocon finished 10th in the sprint and 13th in the grand prix, rated 6/10. Carlos Sainz started the sprint from the pit lane and finished 14th in the grand prix, rated 5.5/10. Arvid Lindblad reached Q3 but spun in the sprint and slipped to 15th on Sunday, also rated 5.5/10. Fernando Alonso qualified and finished 17th, rated 5/10.
Retirements and incidents
Sergio Perez retired early in the sprint after contact with Lance Stroll, a collision that was not penalised. Perez was rated 4.5/10. Alex Albon retired late in the grand prix after a sprint incident that also involved Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas in a three-car accident. Albon was rated 4/10, Bottas 4/10 after finishing three laps behind, and Bortoleto 5/10 after retiring from both races. Stroll retired from the sprint on lap one with a clutch problem, rated 4.5/10. Franco Colapinto retired early from the sprint, hit the wall in qualifying, and had a technical issue in the grand prix, rated 5/10.
Driver ratings summary
- Max Verstappen: 10/10
- Charles Leclerc: 9/10
- Kimi Antonelli: 8.5/10
- Liam Lawson: 8.5/10
- Nico Hulkenberg: 8/10
- Isack Hadjar: 8/10
- Lewis Hamilton: 7.5/10
- Oliver Bearman: 7.5/10
- George Russell: 7/10
- Oscar Piastri: 7/10
- Pierre Gasly: 7/10
- Lando Norris: 6.5/10
- Esteban Ocon: 6/10
- Carlos Sainz: 5.5/10
- Arvid Lindblad: 5.5/10
- Fernando Alonso: 5/10
- Franco Colapinto: 5/10
- Gabriel Bortoleto: 5/10
- Sergio Perez: 4.5/10
- Lance Stroll: 4.5/10
- Alex Albon: 4/10
- Valtteri Bottas: 4/10
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