Proceedings in Singapore were far less dramatic compared to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. There was no battle for the lead or intense three-team fight at the front, making it more of a strategic race. Lando Norris dominated the weekend, while Max Verstappen tried to limit the damage to his championship lead, staging a quiet protest during the official FIA press conferences. Here’s what we learned from the Singapore Grand Prix.

1. Norris’ Championship Pursuit Is Still On
Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance in Singapore, reminiscent of classic Verstappen-style races, with a 20-second lead at the front. The McLaren MCL38 was in a class of its own, with the car's superior aerodynamics standing out in the high-downforce conditions. Norris didn’t just dominate; he absolutely nailed the start, managed to brush the walls twice without issue, and turned a near-perfect weekend into a statement in the title fight. However, he’ll need six more wins and to sweep the sprint races to close the gap to Verstappen.

2. Verstappen’s Silent Protest at the FIA
Max Verstappen minimized his championship losses in Singapore but made his displeasure with an FIA penalty clear. He responded with curt answers in the press conferences, protesting the decision. Off-camera, Verstappen expressed frustration about not being able to fully express himself, hinting that decisions like these could influence his long-term future in F1. On the track, Red Bull rebounded with improved race performance after overnight simulator work that helped correct the car's handling.

3. McLaren’s ‘Mini-DRS’ Grounded
McLaren’s innovative 'mini-DRS' system, which sparked debate after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, was officially banned by the FIA. The system, designed to reduce drag on long straights by flexing the upper rear wing at high speed, passed initial tests but was deemed illegal without DRS activation. While this ruling didn’t impact the Singapore race, it may affect McLaren’s competitiveness at tracks like Las Vegas, where straight-line speed will be crucial.

4. Ricciardo’s F1 Farewell Looms
Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 future appears increasingly uncertain after an underwhelming weekend in Singapore. He finished 18th, and rumors are swirling that Liam Lawson may replace him for upcoming races. Since leaving Red Bull in 2018, Ricciardo has struggled to recapture his early career form. Despite occasional flashes of competitiveness, his recent results haven’t been enough to secure his future on the grid. Ricciardo did set the fastest lap in Singapore, robbing Norris of what could have been a perfect weekend.

5. Mercedes’ Struggles Continue
Mercedes had a tough night in Singapore, despite promising signs in qualifying. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were physically drained by the heat, with Russell battling understeer and oversteer, and Hamilton’s early tyre strategy backfiring. The team admitted they got the strategy wrong, but the underlying issue remains the car's performance on hot, high-traction circuits. Toto Wolff acknowledged that Singapore and Baku exposed a fundamental weakness, with the gap to the front runners still far too large.