The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix kicked off with its scheduled sprint race at 10am BST, followed by qualifying sessions starting at 2pm BST. The event has intensified the battle for the drivers’ championship title, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli establishing a commanding position at the summit.
Antonelli currently sits at the top of the standings with 320 points, holding a substantial 84-point advantage over his nearest rival, Mercedes teammate George Russell, who is second with 236 points. Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, occupies third place with 214 points, while teammate Charles Leclerc follows closely in fourth with 191 points.
The midfield battle features Lando Norris and Max Verstappen level on 188 points each, sitting fifth and sixth respectively. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounds out the top seven with 128 points, followed by Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar on 96 points. Further down the order, Liam Lawson leads the Racing Bulls contingent with 65 points, while Pierre Gasly sits in 11th for Alpine.
Off the track, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff addressed recent criticism directed at the sport, urging detractors to tune into lighter programming instead. “Watch Teletubbies not F1,” Wolff told critics, defending the current state and direction of Formula One amidst ongoing debates about the sport’s format and accessibility.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on how the sprint results impact the championship standings ahead of Sunday’s main race, with Antonelli looking to extend his lead and Mercedes aiming to secure a strong double-podium finish.
Hamilton third with Ferrari must be stinging for Mercedes fans. Can Antonelli keep this lead all season, or is it too early to call?
Teletubbies over F1? Oof, Toto Wolff really didn’t hold back. I guess the format debates are getting heated!
84 points? That’s a massive gap for rookie year. Antonelli seems to be in a different league compared to Russell.