In the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, it wasn’t only George Russell of Mercedes celebrating the victory but also the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they clinched back-to-back titles for the Constructors’ Championship.
Russell Leads from the Front
The start saw Russell maintain control from the front while chaos unfolded behind him.
Lando Norris made slight contact with Verstappen’s Red Bull before banging wheels with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in a tense early scrap for position.
“That wasn’t very team-like,” Piastri complained over the radio as Norris damaged his front wing endplate but managed to hold on to third place.
Further back, Charles Leclerc overtook Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli for fifth, while Lewis Hamilton ran seventh ahead of Fernando Alonso. Minor incidents between Norris and Piastri and between Ollie Bearman and Isack Hadjar were noted by the stewards but required no further action.
Pit Stop Drama and Mid-Race Battles
As the race settled, Russell quickly built a lead of more than four seconds over Verstappen.
The Dutchman, meanwhile, battled gearbox issues, reporting trouble with downshifts as Norris trailed closely behind. The first pit stops came on Lap 14, with Yuki Tsunoda and Gabriel Bortoleto switching early after picking up damage.
By Lap 20, Verstappen pitted for hard tyres and emerged in seventh ahead of Alonso. Leclerc followed two laps later, while Russell stayed out until midway through the race before pitting alongside Antonelli in a smooth double stack for Mercedes. At McLaren, tension flared again when Norris refused to let Piastri pit first, forcing the Australian to wait an extra lap and lose time due to a slow 5.2-second stop.
At half distance, Russell led Verstappen by just over three seconds, followed by Norris, Piastri, and Leclerc. Despite Verstappen’s determination, a lock-up on Lap 37 cost him valuable time and nearly sent him into the wall.
The Red Bull driver vented over the radio as Russell’s advantage stretched beyond four seconds.
Closing Laps and Late Pressure
As the race entered its final stages, Verstappen’s struggles continued.
“The rear is like a handbrake,” he reported, while Norris began closing in.
The McLaren driver pushed hard but narrowly avoided the wall during one of his attacks. Further back, Hamilton pitted for soft tyres, rejoining seventh, while Antonelli overtook Leclerc for fifth in a strong showing for the young Mercedes talent.
With 15 laps to go, Norris was within striking distance of Verstappen, and Piastri closed the gap from behind. Yet despite McLaren’s late pace, Verstappen defended superbly to hold on to second place. Hamilton, however, reported brake issues, prompting Ferrari to swap their drivers and ensure Leclerc finished ahead on the road.
Redemption for Russell
“It feels amazing, especially after what happened a couple of years ago,”
“That was a bit of a missed opportunity, but we more than made up for it today. I’m so grateful for the team; they did an amazing job this whole weekend. We don’t really know where this performance came from, but I’m really happy.”
George Russell produced a commanding drive to win the Singapore GP, turning his pole position into a flawless lights-to-flag victory for Mercedes.
The Briton remained unchallenged for most of the 62-lap race, finishing 5.430 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen and claiming his second win of the season and fifth of his Formula 1 career.
Russell kept his composure through the final laps, managing the backmarkers and tyre wear expertly to secure a dominant win. Verstappen finished second, while Norris completed the podium in third.
Piastri followed in fourth while Antonelli finished an impressive fifth, followed by Leclerc and Hamilton.
However, the seven-time World Champion’s five-second penalty for exceeding track limits dropped him behind Alonso, promoting the Spaniard to seventh. Bearman and Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10 as all 20 cars reached the chequered flag which is a rare sight in Singapore.
Russell’s flawless drive not only marked a statement win for Mercedes but also highlighted McLaren’s consistency, sealing another championship triumph in a memorable night under the Marina Bay lights.
McLaren Wins Back-to-Back Constructors Championship
McLaren sealed their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship, as well as their 10th overall, after another commanding season that recalled their golden years.
Wrapping up the title in Singapore with six races still to go, the Woking-based team’s dominance has been evident since the opening rounds.
At the start of 2025, few predicted McLaren would run away with the title after a competitive 2024 season. Yet their superior car, known for exceptional tyre management and balance, allowed them to outpace every rival. Winning 12 of the first 15 Grands Prix made the championship a near inevitability.
So this is how they did it:
- Leadership and Stability – Since Zak Brown became CEO in 2016, McLaren has undergone a remarkable transformation. The team that once trailed 689 points behind Mercedes has risen back to the top through firm, strategic leadership.
Brown made tough personnel decisions, including changes in key technical roles, and the unexpected departure of Andreas Seidl paved the way for Andrea Stella’s calm and methodical stewardship. Stella’s approach has created a stable, high-performing culture capable of managing two competitive drivers.
- Teamwork and Efficiency – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have combined for 12 race victories so far, showcasing not only speed but mutual respect. Their cooperation has prevented internal friction and strengthened McLaren’s unity, which is a rarity in Formula 1 title battles. Under Stella, the team has also mastered resource management under the budget cap, with Chief Designer Rob Marshall’s innovations ensuring every upgrade delivered results.
With 28 podiums and 650 points, doubling Mercedes’ total, the McLaren’s 2025 campaign stands among the sport’s finest achievements.
Up Next: United States Grand Prix on October 20
There are now only 6 Grand Prix left for the 2025 F1 Calendar.
Who will claim the FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship?
The Papaya Brothers of McLaren are still leading with Piastri at #1. Can Verstappen, Russell or even Leclerc get ahead?
