# Singapore GP: Brundle on Hamilton strategy, Norris-Piastri crash

> Brundle: Hamilton's VSC pit decision cost him race lead as Verstappen dominates Singapore GP.
- Title: Singapore GP: Brundle on Hamilton strategy, Norris-Piastri…
- Summary: Brundle: Hamilton's VSC pit decision cost him race lead as Verstappen dominates Singapore GP. Hamilton's choice to skip VSC pit stop under pressure cost him…
- Keywords: singapore gp, max verstappen, lewis hamilton, lando norris, oscar piastri, mclaren, red bull, ferrari, virtual safety car, sprint race, championship standings, Singapore
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13598192/singapore-gp-martin-brundles-verdict-on-lewis-hamilton-strategy-call-lando-norris-oscar-piastri-sprint-collision-and-max-verstappen-dominance
- Author: Martin Brundle
- Published: 2026-10-12T14:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: f1, singapore gp, max verstappen, lewis hamilton, lando norris, oscar piastri, mclaren, red bull, ferrari, virtual safety car, sprint race, championship standings
## Singapore GP weekend
Singapore GP weekend featured a Sprint race added to the street circuit schedule after six Grands Prix in seven weeks.
## Singapore GP atmosphere
The city buzzed with a record crowd of more than 300,000 despite heat and humidity challenges.
## Poor air quality
Unusually poor air quality from crop burning in neighboring countries affected the race.
## Verstappen's dominance
Max Verstappen won both Sprint and Grand Prix from pole position, securing three wins in a row.
## Verstappen standings
Verstappen climbed to fourth in the standings, eight points behind Hamilton and 17 behind Russell.
## George Russell crash
George Russell spun into barriers after carrying too much speed into pit straight during Sprint race.
## Hamilton's strategy
Hamilton started on medium tyres but pitted early for soft tyres, skipping VSC opportunity.
## Hamilton's race outcome
Hamilton dropped from fifth to fourth after losing to Piastri in final laps with dirty tyres.
## Norris-Piastri collision
Lando Norris overtook Piastri a lunge too far, causing a synchronized spin and wall impact.
## McLaren's position
McLaren secured fourth and fifth places with Norris and Piastri after collision.
## Kimi Antonelli's performance
Antonelli claimed third place after sweeping past Hamilton and Norris in final laps.
## Verstappen's race control
Verstappen built comfortable lead over Leclerc with fresh soft tyres for Grand Prix.
## Next race
Next stop: Austin, Texas after Singapore GP weekend.
## Key takeaway

Hamilton's choice to skip VSC pit stop under pressure cost him race lead as Verstappen secured Singapore GP victory.