VERSTAPPEN WINS SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX AS ANTONELLI NEARS F1 TITLE

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix, fighting off an early challenge from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to lead from start to finish, according to the BBC. The victory followed Verstappen's win in Malaysia the previous weekend and a sprint race success in Singapore on Saturday. Leclerc finished second, while Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli took third after passing Lewis Hamilton, who had chosen not to pit and ran on a single set of soft tyres for 44 laps. Hamilton eventually finished sixth, also overtaken by McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the closing laps. Antonelli's podium, combined with teammate George Russell finishing ninth after starting nineteenth, extended the Italian's lead in the drivers' championship to 102 points, the BBC reported.

Antonelli's advantage puts him 102 points clear of Russell in second place, with Hamilton third a further nine points behind Russell, according to GiveMeSport. Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris remain mathematically capable of catching Antonelli over the five races scheduled after the next round, GiveMeSport reported. Formula 1 now moves to the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on 25 October, where Antonelli has his first opportunity to secure the title. He cannot simply arrive and win, however, as the outcome also depends on where his closest rivals finish, GiveMeSport said. Sky Sports reported that Antonelli, 20, could become Formula 1's youngest world champion if he clinches the title in Austin.

According to the BBC, Antonelli would need to win the United States Grand Prix with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower to be confirmed as champion in Austin. Verstappen's consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore were described by the BBC as reviving memories of his previous title-winning seasons. Red Bull's results in the two races were also reported by the BBC as marking the team's re-emergence as a major force this season. Ferrari's race strategy in Singapore was described by the BBC as confusing, after Hamilton's tyre gamble cost him positions late in the race. The United States Grand Prix takes place on 25 October, with five further rounds to follow should the championship remain unresolved.