Before Singapore, I predicted Max Verstappen would finish inside the top three, hoped George Russell would join him and suggested Kimi Antonelli might struggle.
Max won. Kimi finished third. George’s luck packed its bags and left Singapore before the race even started.
So, technically, I was close. Please do not inspect the details.
Max started from pole, defended the lead from Charles Leclerc and controlled the race to claim his first Singapore Grand Prix victory. His radio also stopped working during the race, because apparently winning around Marina Bay was not difficult enough. Still, Max remained calm, managed his tyres and completed a perfect weekend after winning the Sprint too. Sir Max did not simply complete his unfinished business in Singapore; he signed it, stamped it and carried the trophy home.
Leclerc finished second after showing very good pace, particularly during the closing stages. Ferrari may not have been able to fight Max properly, but Charles delivered a strong result and reminded everyone that the car can behave beautifully when it feels emotionally available.
Kimi somehow found another podium. He was running behind Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, but while those two fought, Kimi quietly passed both of them and escaped with third place. His championship lead over George is now 102 points, and he could win the title in Austin. I expected him to struggle in Singapore, yet his luck once again arrived exactly when required. At this point, Kimi’s luck has better race strategy than several teams.
Lewis started third and looked capable of giving Ferrari a double podium, but he chose to stay out during the Virtual Safety Car and his ageing tyres eventually surrendered. Kimi, Norris and Piastri passed him before the finish, dropping Lewis to sixth. After the race, he accepted full responsibility over the radio: “Sorry, boys. I let you down today with that strategy. My call, and I lost us valuable points. I’ll try and make up for it in the next one. Great job with the pit stop though.” I respect that honesty, although hearing Lewis apologise after fighting a Ferrari with no grip made the result hurt slightly more.
Then we have poor George.
An engine penalty forced him to start 19th, one day after his painful Sprint crash. He fought his way back through the field, but the timing of his pit stop was almost comically unfortunate. George entered the pits and the Virtual Safety Car appeared immediately afterwards, allowing Lawson, Hülkenberg and Gasly to jump ahead. He recovered to ninth, but two points were a cruel reward for that much effort.
Seriously, what has George done to the F1 Gods? At this stage, I am willing to write them a formal apology on his behalf.
Singapore was not the wildest race Marina Bay has ever produced, but it gave us Max finally conquering the circuit, Leclerc putting Ferrari back on the podium, Kimi taking another enormous step towards the championship and Lewis accepting responsibility for a strategy call that went painfully wrong.
My A2W rating: 7/10. Max completed a perfect weekend, Kimi’s championship is getting extremely close and George’s luck missed another flight.
Waiting for George’s luck and me to finally receive a paddock pass.
aKi Malik
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