George Russell Wins 2025 Singapore Grand Prix in Night Thriller

When George Russell, Mercedes crossed the finish line at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday night, the Marina Bay crowd erupted – the British driver had just turned a chaotic street circuit into a 1 hour, 40 minutes, and 22.367‑second victory.

The race, held on 5 October 2025 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, was the climactic finale of a three‑day weekend that began on 3 October with practice sessions under the neon‑lit skyline. It was also the 18th edition of the Singapore round since its debut in 2008, and the latest showdown between the sport’s biggest names.

Weekend Schedule and On‑Track Action

Friday kicked off with the first practice (FP1) from 17:30 to 18:30 local time, followed by a second session (FP2) an hour later, giving teams a glimpse of tyre wear in humid conditions. Saturday’s FP3 mirrored Friday’s timing, while the crucial qualifying bracket ran from 21:00 to 22:00, sealing the starting grid.

In qualifying, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clinched pole, edging out Russell by a whisker. Lando Norris of McLaren secured third on the grid, setting the stage for a tight battle.

Race morning brought a Drivers’ Parade at 18:00, a brief national anthem ceremony, then lights out at 20:00. The 62‑lap, 306.28‑km contest unfolded with several safety‑car periods, but Russell’s steady pace and a flawless pit‑stop sequence kept him ahead. He finished 5.430 seconds clear of Verstappen, while Norris trailed by 6.066 seconds, sealing a Mercedes‑1‑2‑3‑plus podium for the team.

Support Series and Fan Experience

Beyond the headline race, the weekend showcased the F1 Academy – the all‑female series that ran practice on Friday at 14:00 and raced on Saturday afternoon – and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, which delighted fans with sprint races on both Saturday and Sunday.

Fans navigated the bustling Circuit Park area via a dedicated mobile app that offered live timing, food‑court maps, and real‑time weather alerts. The Paddock Club opened its doors for exclusive pit‑lane walks on Friday, while the official information booths stationed at each entry gate helped newcomers find their way amid the sea of neon signage.

Technical Highlights and Strategy

While Russell took the win, it was Lewis Hamilton’s blistering fast lap – a 1:33.808 set during Saturday’s final practice – that underscored the circuit’s unforgiving nature. The data helped engineers optimise tyre pressures for the night‑time temperature drop, a factor that often shuffles strategies on Singapore’s humid track.

Pit‑stop practice on Saturday from 16:50 to 17:20 proved decisive. Mercedes refined a two‑second tyre change, a razor‑thin margin that ultimately kept Russell ahead of Verstappen during the final stint. Red Bull, meanwhile, opted for an aggressive three‑stop plan that left them vulnerable when a brief rain shower slicked the track just after lap 45.

Kimi Antonelli, the rookie making his debut with Alpine, finished fifth – 33.681 seconds behind Russell – a respectable showing given his limited seat‑time on the circuit.

Reactions, Broadcast Reach, and What’s Next

“It feels amazing to win in Singapore, especially at night when the pressure is at its highest,” Russell said in the post‑race interview, his excitement palpable despite the humid air. Verstappen, ever the sportsman, praised Russell’s consistency and hinted that Red Bull would regroup for the next round in Japan.

Television coverage reached a global audience: Singapore’s free‑to‑air Channel 5 aired the race live, with on‑demand replays on meWATCH, while international viewers tuned in via beIN Sports. The weekend’s social‑media buzz peaked at 12 million mentions, a testament to the event’s growing digital footprint.

Looking ahead, Mercedes will head to the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, hoping to capitalize on the momentum. For Red Bull, the focus shifts to fine‑tuning their tyre strategy under similar tropical conditions, while McLaren celebrates a double‑podium that could reshape the early‑season championship narrative.

Key Facts

• Date: 5 October 2025 (race); 3‑5 October 2025 (weekend)
• Winner: George Russell (Mercedes)
• Podium: Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Lando Norris (McLaren)
• Fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:33.808
• Circuit length: 4.927 km; total distance: 306.28 km