Singapore Grand Prix 2025: a back-to-back triumph and a dramatic night at Marina Bay
The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix delivered drama, strategy and a taste of what back-to-back success looks like for McLaren. With George Russell taking victory, Max Verstappen lining up in P2, and the two McLarens in the hunt, the city-state once again proved why this night race remains a cornerstone of the Formula One calendar. As the teams and fans soaked in the post-race atmosphere, the weekend’s radio chatter and post-race interviews offered a deeper look into the decision-making, pressure and euphoria that define elite motorsport.
Race highlights and final standings
Russell secured the win from pole position, with Verstappen close behind in second. The McLarens, driven by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, finished strong, underscoring the team’s bid to defend the constructors’ championship. While Russell celebrated a deserved victory, Kimi Antonelli claimed fifth and Charles Leclerc took sixth, rounding out a night of tight competition and high-speed drama around Marina Bay.
Lewis Hamilton faced penalties and did not finish on the podium, facing scrutiny over track limits and braking issues that complicated his Singapore Grand Prix race plan. Fernando Alonso’s late pressure on the final corners added to the night’s tension, with Hamilton receiving a caution flag as the finish line approached.
For a Brit rookie, Ollie Bearman, the race was a solid points finish for Haas, highlighting the weekend’s theme of youth stepping up alongside established stars. Carlos Sainz also scored a point after starting from the back following a qualifying disqualification for Williams, adding to the day’s narrative of resilience and fleet-footed strategy shifts.
Radio commentary and team perspectives from Marina Bay
Radio coverage from the race captured a blend of technical analysis and candid human moments. Sam Bird on Radio 5 Sports Extra offered insights from the pit lane and garages, including real-time chatter about opportunities and potential overtakes as the race unfolded. The on-air commentary highlighted how hard-fought narrow margins can define the eventual podium, especially in a race where the heat and the Singapore track layout test the drivers’ endurance.
Zak Brown’s post-race interview with Sky Sports reflected the broader triumph for McLaren. He spoke of the back-to-back constructors’ championship with pride: “Unbelievable team here, unbelievable team back at the factory, all the men and women have done such an awesome job. The leadership Andrea has provided to this whole team, our owners, shareholders, it’s pretty awesome to go back-to-back, and it’s been a while since we have done it.” Brown also praised the driving duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, noting that McLaren’s success hinges on two world-class racers who “race hard, they race clean, and they race to win.”
Further color from the cooldown room showed a scene of relief and celebration, with Russell, Verstappen and Norris cooling down and watching the highlights play on the big screen. The trio’s post-race interviews emphasized the race’s balance between aggression and sportsmanship, a hallmark of modern F1 battles around a demanding street circuit.
Looking ahead: implications for the season
The Singapore result underscored McLaren’s continued ascent in the constructors’ race and highlighted the evolving balance of power within Formula One. With Piastri, Norris, and a robust pit-lane strategy, McLaren remains a title threat as the season progresses toward its climax. For fans, the night race once again delivered a blend of strategic depth, on-track action and compelling stories that keep Singapore firmly in the spotlight of Formula One.
