Russell wins 2025 Singapore GP as McLaren clinch constructors’ title

George Russell delivered a commanding performance under the lights at Marina Bay to win the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, fending off Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in a race that was as much about strategy and intra-team politics as it was about outright pace. McLaren, despite tensions between their drivers, sealed back-to-back Constructors’ Championships with six rounds still to go.

Russell Controls the Race from the Front

Starting from pole on fresh mediums, Russell made the most of the cleaner side of the grid to lead into Turn 1. From there, the Mercedes driver managed the pace superbly, keeping Verstappen at arm’s length in the opening stint. Even when the Red Bull closed in during the middle phase, Russell’s composure and tyre management ensured he stayed in control.

A perfectly executed pit stop on lap 26 for hard tyres put him back in the net lead, and from that point onwards, he was rarely threatened. His margin at the flag — 5.4 seconds over Verstappen — reflected a drive of precision and consistency, marking his second win of the season and fifth of his career.

McLaren Drama: Norris vs Piastri

The flashpoint of the race came almost immediately. Norris, starting fifth, launched aggressively, squeezing past team-mate Oscar Piastri into Turn 2. In the process, he clipped Verstappen’s rear and then banged wheels with Piastri, sending the Australian perilously close to the wall. The stewards deemed it a racing incident, but Piastri was audibly unhappy over team radio.

The tension didn’t end there. Approaching the sole round of pit stops, McLaren asked Norris — the lead car — if he would allow Piastri to pit first to protect him from an undercut by Charles Leclerc. Norris refused, pitting first on lap 27. Piastri stopped a lap later but suffered a slow 5.2-second service due to a stubborn left-rear wheel. He rejoined ahead of Leclerc but lost crucial time, effectively ending his podium hopes.

Norris, on fresher tyres, chased Verstappen in the closing laps but couldn’t find a way past, settling for third. Piastri finished fourth, his championship lead over Norris reduced but still intact.

Verstappen’s Resilient Defence

Verstappen started second on softs, aiming to gain track position early. While the initial laps were clean, his car balance deteriorated mid-race, with multiple lock-ups and radio complaints about the rear “feeling like a handbrake.” Despite the issues, he executed a strong defensive drive in the final stint, keeping Norris at bay despite the McLaren’s tyre advantage.

The Dutchman’s second place means he continues his late-season surge, though Singapore remains the only track on the current calendar where he has yet to win.

Key Moments

Lap 1 Contact

• Norris’s aggressive start led to contact with Verstappen and Piastri.
• Piastri avoided the wall but was visibly frustrated.

Pit Stop Phase

• Russell pitted on lap 26, maintaining track position.
• Norris refused to cede pit priority to Piastri.
• Piastri’s slow stop cost him time but not position to Leclerc.

Hamilton’s Brake Woes

• Running seventh, Hamilton suffered brake failure in the closing laps.
• Multiple track limits infringements earned him a black-and-white flag and a post-race investigation.

Top 10 Finishers

1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - currently under investigation for track limits
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
9. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
10. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

Championship Implications

McLaren’s points haul from Norris and Piastri was enough to clinch the 2025 Constructors’ Championship with six races remaining — a testament to their season-long consistency. However, the intra-team rivalry is intensifying. Piastri still leads the Drivers’ standings by 25 points, but Norris’s refusal to play the team game in Singapore could signal a more combative approach in the final rounds.

Analysis: Gloves Off at McLaren?

While Russell’s win was a masterclass in control, the bigger storyline may be McLaren’s internal dynamics. The combination of lap-one contact, pit stop politics, and Piastri’s visible frustration suggests the team will have to manage its drivers carefully to avoid costly clashes. With the Constructors’ title secured, McLaren may now allow them to race without intervention — a prospect that could make the remaining six rounds even more explosive.

Final Thoughts

The Singapore Grand Prix delivered on its reputation for drama and attrition, even without a Safety Car. Russell’s victory was decisive, Verstappen’s defence was dogged, and McLaren’s championship celebrations were tinged with tension. Under the lights at Marina Bay, the battle lines for the rest of the season have been drawn — and they run straight through the McLaren garage.