Mercedes split as Max Verstappen reigns supreme - Singapore GP Winners & Losers

The Singapore Grand Prix delivered another emphatic statement from Max Verstappen, a potentially decisive step towards the F1 drivers' championship for Kimi Antonelli, and fresh headaches for several of F1's biggest names.

Verstappen swept the sprint and grand prix poles before finally conquering Marina Bay, while Antonelli reached the edge of title glory.

Elsewhere, Liam Lawson strengthened his credentials for another season on the grid, George Russell was left to rue a costly sprint mistake, and McLaren's constructors' championship position came under serious threat.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, paid a heavy price for a strategic call that unravelled in the closing stages.

Here are RacingNews365's winners and losers from the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Winner – Max Verstappen

If there were any lingering doubts about Red Bull's resurgence, Verstappen's Singapore weekend should have silenced them.

The Dutchman claimed sprint victory, secured both poles and converted his grand prix starting position into an imperious win, finally adding Singapore to the list of circuits he has conquered.

More than simply collecting points, Verstappen looked in complete control, managing the demands of Marina Bay while keeping his rivals at arm's length.

Red Bull's recent progress is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss as a temporary upswing, with the car once again looking capable of delivering victories on merit.

For Verstappen, a maiden Singapore triumph was long overdue; for his rivals, his return to this kind of form is an ominous development.

Loser – McLaren

McLaren's Singapore weekend was a reminder that having two fast drivers is only an advantage when both cars make it to the finish intact.

The final-lap collision between Norris and Piastri in the sprint was a particularly painful way to throw away valuable points, turning an internal battle into a costly team problem.

While both drivers recovered to finish fourth and fifth in Sunday's grand prix, the damage to McLaren's wider ambitions had already been done.

Its advantage over Red Bull in the constructors' championship has dwindled to just seven points, leaving precious little room for further errors.

With Red Bull reaching such strong form, McLaren cannot afford to keep giving points away. Singapore was an expensive reminder of that.

Winner – Kimi Antonelli

Antonelli might not have won in Singapore, but his third-place finish could prove every bit as valuable in the bigger picture.

The Mercedes driver extended his championship lead over team-mate Russell to 102 points, putting himself in a position to clinch the title in Austin.

Crucially, he achieved it without needing Mercedes to be the dominant force of the weekend.

Antonelli looked measured and mature, taking the points available rather than forcing the issue when the car was not quite at its best.

That ability to keep banking substantial results on less-than-perfect weekends is the hallmark of a championship contender.

Barring any ridiculous development, the title is his.

Loser – George Russell

Russell arrived in Singapore facing an uphill battle after his grid penalty, so losing ground to Antonelli in the championship was hardly a surprise. What will sting considerably more is the opportunity he squandered in the sprint.

Russell threw away a potential victory with a first-lap rookie error, becoming the only driver to make that particular mistake when he needed to salvage as many points as possible from a compromised weekend.

Damage limitation was the name of the game, yet he made life harder for himself before the weekend had properly got going.

Ninth in Sunday's grand prix was a respectable recovery given his starting position, but it could not undo the damage.

With Antonelli now 102 points clear, Russell's title hopes are hanging by a thread. The penalty was unfortunate; the sprint error was entirely avoidable.

Winner – Liam Lawson

Lawson continues to make a compelling argument for his place on the Formula 1 grid next season.

Another seriously competitive weekend in Singapore culminated in seventh place, adding further substance to a campaign in which he has repeatedly delivered when opportunities have presented themselves.

His consistency is particularly impressive: eight top-seven finishes from 12 points-scoring results this year.

He sits ninth in the drivers' standings, firmly established as the best of the rest and with almost twice as many points as Pierre Gasly in 10th.

Lawson is giving Racing Bulls precisely what it needs, and the longer he maintains this level, the harder it becomes to justify leaving him without a seat for 2027.

His future is not yet guaranteed, but his driving is making the decision increasingly straightforward.

Loser – Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton will look back on Singapore as a podium opportunity that slipped through his fingers.

Having qualified third and put himself in contention for a strong result, the Ferrari driver faced a crucial decision during the closing stages when a virtual safety car offered an opportunity to pit.

Hamilton opted against coming in when asked, leaving himself on ageing soft tyres that were increasingly vulnerable to those behind.

The consequences were earned: Antonelli, Norris and Piastri all swept past, leaving Hamilton sixth rather than the third place that had looked within reach.

It was a costly misjudgement, particularly given how difficult overtaking can be around Marina Bay and how valuable every podium is for Ferrari.

Hamilton's instinct to take control of the situation is understandable, but this time the gamble backfired.

He ultimately accepted responsibility for the outcome. Even so, a potential podium lost through strategy is a bitter pill to swallow.