Five aspects to watch closely at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Russell facing a grid penalty

George Russell, Mercedes

The challenge for Mercedes in their quest for victory this weekend is further complicated by the grid penalty Russell is set to incur following his retirement in Sepang. His power unit failure in Malaysia necessitates a replacement for Singapore, and since this will be his fifth unit of the 2026 season, any additional changes will result in a grid penalty.

This situation makes it even tougher for Russell to close the gap on Antonelli, as he will be starting from the rear of the Marina Bay street circuit, a notoriously challenging place to overtake.

“George faces the added obstacle of a power unit penalty,” team principal Toto Wolff stated. “This is particularly frustrating considering how well he drove last weekend and the results he was in contention for.

“Unfortunately, these circumstances are part of the sport, and our focus is now on providing him with the best possible car and opportunities to fight back through the field.”

Antonelli managed a remarkable recovery when he won from 19th at Monza after a similar penalty, but it’s hard to envision Russell replicating that feat. The eight-time grand prix winner may need to assist Antonelli in Q3, setting aside his title ambitions to aid his teammate in the constructors’ championship.

Currently, the Silver Arrows lead second-place Ferrari by 151 points and are on track to secure their first title since 2021.

Is Red Bull now the biggest threat to Mercedes?

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Red Bull commenced the 2026 season firmly positioned as the fourth-best team in F1, with it taking until the fifth round for star driver Verstappen to secure a podium finish. However, the entire paddock understood that this season — and this regulatory period — would hinge on which team excels in the development race as they adapt to the complex regulations.

The Austrian team has effectively done just that, steadily reducing its speed deficit through a consistent influx of upgrades on the RB22. Their last significant update came in Baku, where Verstappen finished second and was less than a second behind Russell, marking his fifth podium in six races.

A week later in Sepang, the four-time world champion improved on that with his first season victory — and a commanding one at that.

With Verstappen's recent performances — and Hadjar also earning a podium at Baku — appearing competitive across various circuits, it now seems that Red Bull has established competitiveness regardless of track characteristics.

“I believe we will be in contention for podiums in the upcoming races,” team principal Laurent Mekies remarked. “Fundamentally, we have been in the mix for podiums for several races now: six, seven, eight. So, I expect we’ll be contending.”

The Frenchman later noted that Singapore should favor the RB22, suggesting Verstappen could be the favorite for victory this weekend. Late last year illustrated how the Dutchman can deliver outstanding performances when provided with a car capable of competing for wins, and 2026 may see a repeat of that scenario.

The final sprint race of F1 2026

Silverstone, 2026, sprint race

The sprint race schedule for the 2027 season was recently revealed, with F1 announcing there will be 10 shorter races instead of the six that took place in 2026. This weekend will feature the final one of those, and it’s certainly an intriguing choice to hold a sprint at a street circuit like Singapore.

It may not be the most captivating location for a race, so the sprint could turn into a convoy, yet the venue is known for its thrilling qualifying sessions. This is crucial this weekend, and with two qualifying sessions, it will serve as an important reference point for when Monaco controversially hosts its sprint race in 2027.

Consequently, drivers must rapidly acclimate during just one practice session, which could be busier than ever as teams race to complete their testing programs on such a narrow track. Traffic will be a key concern, along with the potential penalties that could arise from impeding, so drivers must remain extremely vigilant.

Aston Martin gaining momentum

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Aston Martin's dismal start to the 2026 regulations is well-documented. The British team and Cadillac were comfortably the slowest in F1, and while the debutant outfit gradually improved in the first half of the season thanks to upgrades, Aston remained at the back.

However, their ‘B-spec’ chassis debuted in Budapest, followed by an upgraded Honda engine in Zandvoort, where Fernando Alonso scored two points with a ninth-place finish, thanks to a well-executed one-stop strategy.

Things began to look promising for the Adrian Newey-led team, and Malaysia served as proof of that. Not only did Alonso earn an additional four points by finishing eighth, shining once more in mixed conditions, his teammate Lance Stroll also performed admirably by advancing to Q2 alongside the world champion.

This marked the first time Aston had both cars progress beyond Q1 this season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more of the same this weekend. The strength of the AMR26 lies in its chassis, which takes precedence over engine power on a street circuit like Singapore.

With Aston Martin now accumulating seven points, they trail ninth-placed Williams by just five points, as Williams has only secured one point — a tenth place in Baku — since Monaco in June.