Verstappen wins the Singapore Grand Prix at his tenth attempt, and Antonelli moves close to the title
Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday night, his first win at Marina Bay at the tenth attempt, after also winning Saturday's sprint (Straits Times, CNA). Charles Leclerc was second and Kimi Antonelli third (Formula 1). Ferrari's Fred Vasseur said Lewis Hamilton's pit-lane miss cost Ferrari a double podium (Straits Times). Antonelli could seal his first world title at the next race in the United States on 25 October (Straits Times). Attendance was 301,294, the second highest on record behind the 302,000 of 2022 (Straits Times), and Bloomberg called it a near-record turnout despite the haze.
The race is Singapore's biggest annual event, and this year it was staged in unhealthy air. It shows how far large events will go ahead in haze, and it sets up a possible first title for a young driver.
If you hold tickets or plan outdoor events, follow NEA's forecast and the organiser's guidance. For fans, the next race is in the US on 25 October.
Going ahead was defensible: the forecast stayed in the unhealthy range rather than the hazardous band, the crowds came and restaurants reported strong demand (The Independent Singapore).
An unhealthy reading is not a good place to spend hours outdoors, and a restaurant manager told CNA fewer locals came because of the haze.
The sport and the city both showed they can carry on in bad air, but that is a choice, not a given. Watch whether organisers publish a haze rule for next year.
DailyDrop Singapore edition No. 8 · Morning · MON., OCT. 12, 2026