Verstappen dominates for first Singapore Grand Prix win

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took his second dominant victory within a week as he secured his first win in the Singapore Grand Prix.

Verstappen fought off an attack from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc off the start line to control the race from start to finish.

The win followed his and Red Bull's maiden victory of the year in Malaysia last weekend and confirms the team's re-emergence as a major force.

Leclerc took second as team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after a baffling strategy from his team.

Hamilton, trying to last out on a set of soft tyres for a mammoth 44 laps, lost out in the closing laps to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Antonelli's third place combined with team-mate George Russell finishing only ninth after starting from 19th extends the Italian's championship lead to 102 points.

That means it is possible for Antonelli to clinch his first world title at the next race, the United States Grand Prix on 25 October.

He would need to win the race with Russell finishing ninth or lower to become champion in Austin.

The key stories of the race were:

• Verstappen's dominance reviving memories of his pomp during his title-winning era

• A confusing day at Ferrari with regard to strategy

• Antonelli closing on the world title

Verstappen knew he needed to get into the first corner first to try to win the race, given the difficulty of overtaking in Singapore and he fought tooth and nail to make sure he did.

Leclerc got a better start than Verstappen off the line and challenged down the inside as they approached Turn One.

But Verstappen squeezed him tight towards the pit wall and with their entry to the first corner so compromised, Leclerc eventually backed off and the four-time champion could claim the corner.

Verstappen, Leclerc and Hamilton ran nose to tail for the first four laps before the seven-time champion began to drop back from about lap five.

Leclerc stuck within a second of Verstappen for a further five laps before the Red Bull began to edge away from him as well.

From then on, Verstappen continued to build his lead and never looked like being beaten as he motored away into the distance.