Verstappen Dominates in Singapore, Ferrari Faces Strategy Turmoil

In a thrilling night race on the Marina Bay street circuit, Max Verstappen secured his second win of the 2026 season, outpacing Charles Leclerc and rookie Kimi Antonelli in a dramatic finish. Per Formula1.com, Verstappen’s Red Bull team executed a flawless race strategy, capitalising on a late‑race safety car to lock in a clear lead. The Dutchman’s dominant performance was highlighted by a flawless tyre management plan that allowed him to maintain a steady pace throughout the 61‑lap event.

Ferrari’s campaign, however, was marred by a series of strategic blunders. The team’s decision to pit Leclerc on lap 42 for fresh tyres backfired, as the driver lost valuable time and was unable to recover the gap to Verstappen. According to the official Formula 1 coverage, Ferrari’s pit‑lane crew also mis‑timed a tyre change for Antonelli, causing the Italian to fall behind the front‑row pair and ultimately finish third. The missteps sparked an internal review within the Scuderia, with team principal Fred Vasseur expressing disappointment in the execution of the race plan.

Beyond the podium, the race saw a record‑breaking number of overtakes on the tight, twisty Singapore circuit. The event’s high‑profile nature attracted a global audience, with the race broadcast live on FanCode for Indian viewers. The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix was scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST, and fans could stream the action on FanCode’s dedicated F1 channel, which also offers exclusive commentary in Hindi and English.

For India, the race’s late‑night timing means the event will finish around 1:00 AM IST, giving fans a chance to watch the final moments after the day’s activities. The race’s success underscores the growing popularity of Formula 1 in the Indian market, with increasing viewership numbers reported by the official F1 website. Fans can catch the highlights and post‑race analysis on the F1 app and social media channels.

Source: Formula1.com