VICTOR RUSSELL FIGHTS ON

He hopes great drive will spur him for rest of season; McLaren retain team honours

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Mercedes driver George Russell soaking in the crowd's cheers after winning the Singapore night race for his second victory of the season.

(ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR)

If George Russell's dominant performance from pole to chequered flag at the 2025 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix on Oct 5 was a signal of his ambitions in the sport, then the Briton can certainly count on the rallying cry from his countryman Elton John.

The British pop icon kicked off his post-race show at the Padang with the song, Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, and if Saturday night was all right for Russell after clinching pole, then Sunday was spectacular as he claimed his first race win in Singapore with a flawless drive from start to finish.

Crossing the line in 1hr 40min 22.367sec, Russell became the sixth different winner in six editions of the night race here since 2018. It was also his second victory of the season after the Canadian Grand Prix in June.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was second in his Red Bull, 5.4sec adrift and McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded up the podium in Fl's first “heat hazard” race.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished the 62-lap race in fourth.

Norris and Piastri’s results also secured McLaren back-to-back constructors' titles. The Woking-based outfit needed just 13 points in Singapore to confirm their 10th championship crown.