Red Bull cap off perfect Singapore weekend with DHL Fastest Pit Stop

Max Verstappen arrived in Singapore having a personal score to settle with the circuit. Along with Madrid, it is the only Grand Prix on the current calendar that the four-time world champion has never won. His Sprint victory was secondary for Verstappen; for him, only Sunday's race mattered.

The pole-sitter defended his lead against Charles Leclerc into the first corner. Both had started on soft tires, which is why Verstappen was initially unable to shake off his Ferrari pursuer. It wasn't until the tenth lap that Verstappen managed to build a lead.

He used his strong pace to pull away, refused to be lured into the pits prematurely by brief VSC periods and drove confidently in the lead until his pit stop on lap 32. In just 2.2 seconds, the Red Bull crew fitted his car with new medium tires, securing the DHL Fastest Pit Stop. Thanks to his crew's outstanding performance, Verstappen returned to the track just ahead of Oscar Piastri, who had yet to pit, and subsequently held on to the lead.

Unchallenged, he claimed his first victory in the city-state and his 73rd overall contesting his 250th Grand Prix. "This one took a while," said Verstappen wryly. "The race today was very good. We had the pace when we needed it. I'm very happy to win here." He moves up to fourth place in the world championship standings and has his sights set on the runner-up trophy. He is now just 17 points behind George Russell.