Singapore Grand Prix reshapes the championship battle
The Singapore Grand Prix delivered a dramatic shift in the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, with on-track action and strategic battles redefining the title race. A contact-filled opening lap between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sparked a dramatic moment that set the tone for the weekend. By the end of the race, Piastri could do no better than fourth, while Norris crossed the line one place ahead in third, keeping the momentum with McLaren as the season edges toward its conclusion.
Drivers’ Championship: Piastri leads, Norris closes in
Following Singapore, Oscar Piastri sits atop the drivers’ standings on 336 points, with Norris on 314. Max Verstappen remains within striking distance but sits 41 points behind Norris in third place. The race intensified the rivalry between the two McLaren drivers as Norris reduced the gap, turning the championship into a genuine two-horse race with Verstappen still in touch but needing a late-season surge to challenge from a long way back.
George Russell secured his second winner’s trophy of the year, outlining Mercedes’ improving form as he moved further into the conversation for a potential title challenge—though mathematically the odds are still heavily against him. Charles Leclerc added eight more points to his tally, reaching 173 and keeping Ferrari in the hunt for a strong finish to the season.
Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli scoring valuable points for Mercedes as a sign of continued development, while Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz earned points for Haas and Williams respectively. The gaps in the midfield tightens, with Red Bull still within shouting distance of the leaders, 10 points adrift of Mercedes in the Constructors’ battle following the Singapore round.
Bernhard-style reliability and race-day management were on show as Fernando Alonso’s recovery drive for Aston Martin highlighted the strategic depth of F1, while Yuki Tsunoda once again failed to reach the top 10, leaving Red Bull with a marginal points haul from Singapore.
Constructors’ Championship: McLaren extends lead
McLaren celebrated a second consecutive Constructors’ Championship crown thanks to a steady weekend that yielded strong points from Norris and Piastri and solid support across the team. It marks McLaren’s first back-to-back constructors’ title since 1991, underscoring a remarkable resurgence for the team and a significant milestone for the squad’s ongoing project.
Mercedes sits firmly in second in the standings, powered by Russell’s late-season form and consistent points finishes. Ferrari and Red Bull occupy the next two places, with Red Bull still hovering in range of the leaders, emphasizing how every race now matters as the season moves toward its final six events.
2025 standings snapshot
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 336
- Lando Norris, McLaren – 314
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull – 273
- George Russell, Mercedes – 237
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 173
Beyond the top five, the field remains tightly bunched, with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli continuing to push for titles as the season unfolds. The 2025 F1 calendar still has six rounds to go, and the margins in both championships suggest a riveting conclusion is on the horizon.
Looking ahead
With McLaren holding a sizable lead in the Constructors’ standings and Piastri leading the Drivers’ Championship, the pressure will be on Norris to convert pole positions and race wins into a sustained title bid. Verstappen’s challenge will also intensify as Red Bull targets a late surge, while Russell, Leclerc, and Hamilton remain in the conversation for a dramatic finale. The stage is set for an electrifying run to the checkered flag as teams dial in performance and strategy for the next race weekend.
