Max Verstappen rejects Ferrari move as Kimi Antonelli defends 84-point lead ahead of Singapore Grand Prix

Championship battle heads to Marina Bay

The Formula 1 season heads to the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix, the final Sprint event of the 2026 calendar. Kimi Antonelli enters the race weekend with an 84-point lead in the drivers' championship over Mercedes teammate George Russell with seven rounds remaining. The 19-year-old Italian from Bologna aims to protect his championship advantage across the night street circuit. Track running will begin on Friday with free practice and Sprint qualifying. On Saturday, drivers will contest the Sprint race alongside qualifying for the main grid. Sunday will conclude the triple-header weekend with the Grand Prix starting at 14:00.

Verstappen rejects Ferrari after Red Bull renewal

Max Verstappen arrives in Singapore after taking his 72nd career victory at Sepang, which ended an eleven-month winless streak for Red Bull. The four-time world champion recently signed a contract extension keeping him at Red Bull until 2030, with a guaranteed base salary of 92 million euros per season that could reach 115 million euros with bonuses. Ahead of the Marina Bay race, Verstappen dismissed suggestions of joining Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, explaining that competing for lower positions held no interest. The Dutch driver stressed that his focus remains entirely on securing race victories rather than team prestige.

I just want to win. I am not a nostalgic guy. I absolutely have a lot of respect for the brand. But if that means committing yourself and then fighting for fifth or sixth place, what is the point?

Team rebuilding and Horner departure

Verstappen stated that Red Bull represents a second family, citing the challenge of rebuilding the team as his main motivation. The 29-year-old indicated he will evaluate his commitment before deciding whether to race past the end of his deal in 2030. He also addressed the departure of former team principal Christian Horner, who left Red Bull last year. Verstappen observed that the environment inside the team is currently less stressful, adding that Horner's potential return to the paddock does not concern him. He expressed confidence that Horner will find an opportunity if the right opening emerges.

He proved that he did a good job. Of course, many rumours are circulating and I do not know how much truth there is in them. I do not want to sound rude, but it is not a problem or a concern that affects me.

Vasseur targets Ferrari turnaround

Singapore remains one of the few tracks where Verstappen has never won, despite coming close to victory in 2018, 2024, and 2025. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur explained that narrow margins require precision during the single practice hour, as Ferrari seeks to secure second place in the constructors' standings and earn its first victory since Charles Leclerc won at Silverstone in July. Lewis Hamilton will target a fifth Singapore victory to match the venue record set by Sebastian Vettel. Betting agency Sisal lists Verstappen as favourite at 3.00, followed by Antonelli at 4.00 and Hamilton at 5.00. Leclerc and McLaren driver Lando Norris stand tied at 6.00 in the pre-race odds.

The last Sprint weekend of the season presents an additional challenge, precisely because it takes place in Singapore, where drivers generally want to complete as many laps as possible to gain confidence. The gaps between the teams are very narrow and we will have to maximize every session, especially the only free practice, to put the drivers in the best possible condition with the car.