McLaren clinches Constructors’ Championship: a car that made life easy for both drivers
The Singapore Grand Prix may not have offered many on-track thrills, but it provided clear insights into multiple technical aspects, team performance levels, and the Drivers’ Championship, while also definitively deciding the Constructors’ title. McLaren claiming the team championship was no surprise. The reality is that they possess a clearly superior car, and two drivers who, while not the strongest pairing on the grid, have delivered consistently similar performances throughout most of the season.
Unlike other top teams where one driver typically outperformed the other – George Russell over Antonelli, Max Verstappen over Yuki Tsunoda or Lawson, and Charles Leclerc over Lewis Hamilton – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have remained closely matched at the front, creating a massive points gap in the Constructors’ standings. This is not only about the points table: two drivers performing at a high and similar level also indicate a car that is easy to drive and can be pushed to its limits. Early-season difficulties with a tricky front end that challenged Norris have gradually been resolved through updates and setup refinements, resulting in a car both drivers can exploit fully regardless of driving style. A measured approach to updates, with many resources shifted early to the 2026 project, also ensured the MCL39 remained largely stable and successful. The result is a car that now shows slight vulnerabilities compared to rivals, particularly in qualifying, where maximizing soft tire performance requires pushing to the limit. In race conditions, however, the McLaren remains the fastest car on the track. Whether this strategy pays off in the Drivers’ Championship will only become clear after Abu Dhabi. For the Constructors, it is already settled.
Red Bull: competitive in qualifying but not in race pace
Max Verstappen’s race at Singapore offers an ambivalent reading. On one hand, it was positive: he finished ahead of both McLarens, with Lando Norris ahead of Oscar Piastri, reducing the championship gap on a track that is arguably one of the worst for his car but better for rivals. On the other hand, the result slightly over-rewards the RB21’s race performance: Yuki Tsunoda finished outside the points, and Max Verstappen could not match Russell’s pace, holding position on Norris mainly due to the difficulty of overtaking at Marina Bay. Looking ahead, McLaren remains a tough opponent to beat in all races, and consistently prevailing will not be easy. Now that the Constructors’ title is secured, the internal battle between Piastri and Norris could even benefit Verstappen. Austin will likely favor the updated Red Bull, with high lateral loads and more overtaking opportunities, plus a Sprint race where every point will matter, giving Max a chance to animate the season finale.
Mercedes and George Russell: dominant in Singapore
Toto Wolff’s comments on George Russell and the Brackley car were spot on. George Russell dominated the race, starting well and exploiting Max Verstappen’s weakness on soft tires in the first stint to build a significant gap, delay his pit stop, and manage the latter part of the race, despite challenges with lapped traffic. His victory was never in doubt – a race that confirmed his stellar form. Technically, the car suited the Marina Bay layout perfectly, with minimal lateral loads in slow corners and a focus on longitudinal performance. The new “flexible” front wing provided peak downforce in slow corners and excellent straight-line performance. The W16 still shows some quirks in tire management under hot conditions, but overall, the car appears well-balanced, with setup and load management finally optimized. This provides a platform for potential wins in the remaining races.
Ferrari: fourth force and struggling to find solutions
For Ferrari, the Singapore GP was another disastrous Sunday, highlighting a grim outlook for the final part of the season. Charles Leclerc openly acknowledged that the SF-25 is now clearly the fourth car on the grid, with Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren far ahead, making podiums unlikely for the rest of the year. Even second place in the Constructors’ standings seems out of reach. The car’s issues are numerous: it is light, unstable after Friday’s setup changes, and suffers from a structurally weak braking system. Leclerc was forced into extensive Lift and Coast to manage brakes throughout the race, creating a huge risk for Lewis Hamilton during the final laps. Hamilton’s late push on soft tires allowed him to overtake Fernando Alonso in the closing corners, but the overall performance remains limited.
Ferrari’s attempts to exploit grey areas or use “creative” components have repeatedly backfired, with brakes being the latest example. The 2025 car development stalled awaiting the new rear suspension, leaving aerodynamic progress behind Mercedes and Red Bull. The 2026 project is underway, but with significant personnel changes, Maranello faces a challenging end to the season that, while unlikely to impact results, could further increase internal tension.
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