The Singapore Grand Prix, taking place this weekend, marks the sixteenth race of the 2026 F1 calendar. This race is the third in a triple-header weekend that started in Baku and continued with the return of Sepang after nine years of absence.
After his victory in Malaysia, Max Verstappen heads to Marina Bay aiming to conquer a circuit where, despite having 72 wins, he has yet to achieve his first. This weekend presents a great opportunity for the Red Bull driver, although he will compete against a large group of eager drivers.
Next, we analyze five key aspects to follow during the race.
Antonelli on the way to his first title – can he secure victory in Singapore?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made a great leap in his career, going from rookie to dominating the 2026 season with eight victories and thirteen podiums in 16 grands prix. Currently, he is 84 points ahead of his teammate George Russell, who is looking to recover after a mechanical failure in Sepang.
Despite Antonelli’s excellent performance, it remains to be seen how the Mercedes team will perform in Singapore, a circuit with multiple low-speed corners that could be unfavorable for them.
Russell faces a grid penalty
George Russell will start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for replacing his engine after his retirement in Malaysia. This situation will further complicate his chance to compete for victory, especially on a circuit where overtaking is difficult.
The head of the Mercedes team, Toto Wolff, has acknowledged the frustration that this penalty brings, although he trusts that Russell will be able to defend himself well throughout the race.
Red Bull, the new threat to Mercedes?
After a slow start to the season, Red Bull has seen significant improvement thanks to various upgrades to their car, the RB22. After finishing second in Baku and winning in Sepang, Verstappen arrives in Singapore with renewed confidence.
The team principal, Laurent Mekies, has stated that the team is in a competitive position to fight for podium spots in the upcoming races, including Singapore, which could turn out favorable for their performance.
The last sprint race of the F1 season
The Singapore Grand Prix will host the last sprint race of the year. With the changes announced for the 2027 season, which will introduce ten shorter races, this will be a key opportunity before the new format.
The Singapore circuit can present difficulties for the sprint race, as it is better known for its spectacular qualifiers. This will force drivers to quickly adapt to a layout that can be narrow and tricky.
Aston Martin gains momentum
After an unfortunate start, Aston Martin is regaining lost ground. The British team has introduced significant improvements to their car and has made sure both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll perform well in Malaysia, scoring important points.
With a total of seven points, Aston Martin is just five points behind Williams in the fight to improve their position in the championship, which could be interesting in Singapore due to their good performance on urban circuits.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
