Title battle tightens after Singapore Grand Prix
The Singapore Grand Prix delivered a dramatic shift in the world championship race, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri clash on the opening lap sparking a renewed championship dynamic. Piastri could do no better than fourth, while Norris crossed the line in third, one place ahead. The result narrows the gap between the top two by a dramatic margin with six races remaining in the season.
After this race, the Drivers’ Championship shows Piastri at the summit on 336 points, with Norris on 314, and Verstappen not far back on 273. The Dutchman, having shown his familiar resilience, sits 41 points adrift of Norris in third place, keeping Ferrari and Mercedes in realistic contention only in a mathematical sense for the championship as the season enters its late stretch.
McLaren secures a landmark Constructors title
Beyond the battle for drivers’ glory, McLaren sealed its second successive Constructors’ Championship, a milestone the team last achieved in 1991. The milestone comes as the papaya boys head a dominant campaign, with Mercedes also showing strong form to stay clear of Ferrari and Red Bull in the fight for second in the standings.
Other title contenders and race notes
Max Verstappen’s continued consistency has kept him within striking distance, edging closer and gnawing at the lead with each race. Ahead of Norris and Piastri in Marina Bay, Verstappen again demonstrated why he’s considered a persistent thorn in the side of the title protagonists, keeping the pressure on the leading duo as the season progresses.
The rest of the field contributed to a lively Singapore result: Piastri’s teammate Norris showed pace to secure a podium, while Charles Leclerc added eight more points to sit on 173 in the standings. George Russell secured his second win of the year, improving his prospects for a late surge, though the mathematical odds of catching the leaders remain slim.
Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli adding valuable points for Mercedes, helping the team extend a lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ race. Red Bull remained within 10 points of the rival teams despite Yuki Tsunoda missing the top ten. There were also strong efforts from Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin, Oliver Bearman, and Carlos Sainz—who contributed to Haas and Williams’ standings in a race that delivered both drama and momentum shifts.
Current 2025 standings snapshot
Drivers’ Championship (top 5)
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 336 points
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 314
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 273
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 237
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 173
Constructors’ Championship
1. McLaren – 650
2. Mercedes – 325
3. Ferrari – 300
4. Red Bull – 290
Additional driver points include Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli contributing to Mercedes’ strong showing, while other midfield and backmarker teams continue to push for incremental gains as the season moves toward its final rounds.
What’s next for the title race?
With six races left, the fight remains wide open, but the balance of power currently tilts toward McLaren and Piastri. Norris’ consistent pace, Verstappen’s racecraft, and a potentially pivotal performance from Leclerc could shape the final outcomes. Teams will mine Singapore for race data to optimize setups ahead of the next rounds, where every point matters in a season defined by close margins and high-stakes decisions.
