Red Bull’s Verstappen finished 7.335 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with championship leader Kimi Antonelli third for Mercedes after 62 laps under the lights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
The four-time world champion had never won or even achieved a pole position in nine previous attempts going back to his debut for Toro Rosso in 2015.
“It has taken a while but I think this race was very good,” said a delighted Verstappen, who was celebrating back-to-back wins after triumphing in Malaysia seven days ago, his first victory of 2026.
“We had pace when we needed to have it on the soft tyre and the medium. So of course very happy to win here,” the Dutchman added after claiming the top step of the podium on his 250th grand prix start.
“I think the last few races have been really positive for us, we have a lot of motivation in the team to try and deliver even more results.
“Hopefully we can have a bit more fun until the end of the year.”
The McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were fourth and fifth, ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who dropped from third on the grid to sixth after botching his tyre strategy.
Liam Lawson’s RB was seventh, Nico Hulkenberg eighth in the Audi and George Russell, who started from the back of the grid because of engine penalties, came home ninth in his Mercedes.
“It was a very tough race out there, but really happy with a podium in the end,” said Antonelli, who increased his championship lead to 102 points over Russell.
Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull, who started from the pit lane, rounded out the points scorers in 10th.
“We were quite strong at the beginning of the race, then we started degrading,” said Leclerc.
“We did a different strategy to Max, I gave it my all and I don’t regret anything. I don’t think there was much more to do today.”
Verstappen was put under immediate pressure from the quick-reacting Leclerc as he launched from pole position at lights out.
The Dutchman had to swoop across to his left to cut off the Ferrari driver and stay ahead into turn one.
Leclerc stuck to the rear of Verstappen through the first few laps as his teammate Hamilton kept Antonelli at bay.
Hamilton was the only one of the front-runners to start on the slower medium tyres and he was the first to pit, taking on fresh soft rubber on lap 19.
Verstappen left it until lap 32 to stop, and once all the top six had pitted, the order was the same as at the start.
Antonelli and Leclerc dived for a second time under a virtual safety car caused by Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin breaking down.
But Hamilton bafflingly decided to stay out on much older tyres, despite being called in by his team, an aberration that would cost the seven-time world champion a podium finish.
Leclerc on fresh rubber quickly passed Hamilton for second.
Norris attempted to overtake Hamilton at the start of lap 55 only to lose his place to Antonelli, who then picked off the Ferrari to move up to third.
“I managed to take advantage of the fight with Lando and Lewis, and very happy with that,” said Antonelli.
Norris did get past Hamilton, whose tyres were shot, on the next lap followed by Piastri.
“Sorry, boys. I let you down today with that strategy,” said Hamilton on team radio.
“My call, and I lost us valuable points. I’ll try and make up for it in the next one.” (AFP)
