Overview: Teams react to a dramatic Singapore Grand Prix
The Singapore Grand Prix produced a mix of consistent pace, smart strategy, and dramatic on-track battles. George Russell led Mercedes to a crucial victory, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fought to defend second to the line. Ferrari had a day of mixed fortunes with Leclerc and Hamilton both crossing the line in the points but under pressure from strategic play and late braking woes. Here are the standout quotes from the teams and key figures after the race.
Mercedes: The win, the process, and the plan ahead
George Russell, 1st
“I’m really pleased with our victory this evening. This track has not always been my best friend over the years, but we carried the momentum from Q3 into the race. It was a long one, and I’m glad to see the chequered flag with such control. The goal for us is to finish second in the Constructor’s Championship this year, and this result helps warp that path as we head into Austin and Mexico City.”
Kimi Antonelli, 5th
“I struggled with wheelspin off the start but fought back to fifth. It was a tough race physically, yet the pace was solid. A good move on Leclerc showed the speed we had today.”
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“George controlled the race from lights to flag, and the pace of the car was a surprise in such a challenging street circuit. Congratulates to McLaren on their Constructors’ title, and we’ll push to keep second in the championship.”
Red Bull: Optimism amid a tough balance and testing track
Max Verstappen, 2nd
“We had a difficult start, little grip on our side of the grid, and downshifts were an issue causing push in braking. Still, defending from Lando and finishing second is the best outcome we could have hoped for on a tricky street circuit. We know where to improve; Singapore isn’t our favorite layout, but we maximised what we had this weekend.”
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal (Ferrari context)
“We saw strong pace in patches, but cooling issues and traffic limited our race. The season invites us to analyse deeply as we prepare for the United States race.”
Ferrari: Mixed fortunes and drive to rebound
Charles Leclerc, 6th
“From Friday we struggled to find the right feeling with the car. In traffic it was nearly impossible to progress, and cooling problems didn’t help. The gap to the leaders reflects our current position, but we’ll analyse the data to be stronger in Austin.”
Lewis Hamilton, 8th
“The Softs gave us attacking pace, but a brake issue cost opportunities to overtake. We aimed for more, and now turn focus to maximizing points in Austin.”
Aston Martin: Overtakes and pace in the face of tyre strategy
Fernando Alonso, 7th
“We had a good pace on both stints, and the team called a smart tyre strategy to fight back after a slow pit stop. The race was physically demanding but enjoyable, and we’ll aim for more in the remaining rounds.”
Lance Stroll, 13th
“We were hoping for a Safety Car that never came. The Softs lasted 38 laps, but the Mediums wore out quicker due to traffic and fights. We’ll regroup for Texas.”
Haas and Williams: Points and perseverance
Oliver Bearman, 9th
“I’m really happy with points after a tough weekend. A late-race recovery was key, and we’ll build on this in Austin.”
Nico Hulkenberg, 20th
“Track position on a street circuit is everything. We didn’t have the pace this weekend, but there are lessons to take forward.”
Conclusion: A race of strategic gambles and forward momentum
While McLaren claimed the Constructors’ title, the Singapore Grand Prix delivered valuable insights for every team. It reinforced the importance of tyre management, early strategic choices, and capitalising on clean air on tight city tracks. As teams head to Austin, the lessons from Singapore will shape setups and race plans in a bid to maximize points in a season that remains highly competitive.
