Russell takes Singapore win as McLaren seal constructors’ crown

George Russell claimed a commanding victory at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, leading from pole to secure his first win of the season and Mercedes’ first triumph at Marina Bay since 2019.

Russell finished ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, while Oscar Piastri came fourth as McLaren clinched the Formula One constructors’ championship with six races remaining — equalling Red Bull’s 2023 record for the earliest title win.

McLaren’s 27-point haul from Piastri and Norris sealed back-to-back team titles, their 10th overall, despite an early on-track skirmish between the pair at Turn 1. “They have driven brilliantly all season. You can’t win the constructors’ without two awesome racing drivers,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

Russell was elated to exorcise memories of his last-lap crash at the same circuit in 2023. “It feels amazing, especially after what happened a couple of years ago,” he said. “We don’t really know where this performance came from, but really, really happy.”

Verstappen, who remains third in the drivers’ standings, admitted the race was “quite difficult” and that “second was the maximum result.”

Kimi Antonelli took fifth ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who dropped to eighth after a penalty for exceeding track limits.