Resurgent Verstappen Wins Singapore Grand Prix for 1st time

Race winner Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands celebrates on the podium during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 11 October 2026.  EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL
Race winner Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands celebrates on the podium during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 11 October 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL
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Resurgent Verstappen Wins Singapore Grand Prix for 1st time

Race winner Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands celebrates on the podium during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 11 October 2026.  EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL
Race winner Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands celebrates on the podium during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, 11 October 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL

Max Verstappen won the Singapore Grand Prix for the first time in his career on Sunday to complete a perfect weekend where he also finished first in the sprint and was on pole for both races.

Red Bull's Verstappen finished 7.335sec 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 tire 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 tire 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," Reuters quoted Leclerc as saying.

"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 tires 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 tires, 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 tires 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."



Saudi Ministry of Sport, Royal Commission for AlUla Sign MoU to Develop Sports Sector

From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)
From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)
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Saudi Ministry of Sport, Royal Commission for AlUla Sign MoU to Develop Sports Sector

From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)
From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)

The Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday to strengthen cooperation in developing the sports sector in AlUla Governorate and advancing sports initiatives.

The MoU aims to support comprehensive development objectives and enhance coordination between the two sides in areas of mutual interest.

The agreement seeks to advance the sports sector in AlUla Governorate through development initiatives, support for community sports activities, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. It also aims to make use of both parties' resources and services to achieve shared objectives.

Areas of cooperation include exploring suitable mechanisms to attract investors and sponsors to the sports sector in AlUla Governorate.

They also include exchanging expertise to develop sports facilities and infrastructure and coordinating plans and media campaigns to raise community awareness of the importance of physical activity.

The agreement further covers developing human capabilities through training programs and courses.


Vacherot Beats Lehecka to Clinch Basel Title

Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)
Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)
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Vacherot Beats Lehecka to Clinch Basel Title

Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)
Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)

Valentin Vacherot won his first title of the season Sunday when he beat Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the ATP event in Basel.

After dropping serve three times as he lost the first set, the 27-year-old from Monaco gradually gained control of the match to claim his second title on the main tour, following his surprise victory at the Shanghai Masters in 2025.

For Lehecka, 24, the loss extended his poor record in finals to seven defeats from nine appearances. He has lost each of the past five.

The Czech had completely dominated Vacherot in a two-set victory in their last meeting in early October, in the semi-finals in Tokyo.

The first set on Sunday suggested that result might be repeated. Lehecka conceded only one point on his first three service games and proved superior in every aspect of the game.

Lehecka put pressure on Vacherot's serve throughout the match but the Monegasque saved all five break points he faced over the next two sets.

In both a single break was enough for Vacherot, who closed out the match on his first championship point.

"I ended up playing a really solid second and third set," AFP quoted Vacherot as saying. "I had to hold tight in the second set because even until the last game he had break points. Then I started serving much better in the third set and that helped me a lot."

"I hit really good shots at the right moments," he said. "Sometimes it's about not playing perfect for the whole match and just playing good when it matters."

The victory over Lehecka, who entered the tournament ranked No. 21 in the world, was Vacherot's third against a top-25 opponent in Basel, where he also saw off 11th-ranked Rafael Jodar after a three-hour battle and world number 13 Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.


Real Madrid Extend Winning Run with 3-0 victory at Racing Santander

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
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Real Madrid Extend Winning Run with 3-0 victory at Racing Santander

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)

Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 win at Racing Santander in LaLiga on Sunday as goals from Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande secured their sixth successive victory in all competitions.

Third-placed Real moved to within three points of leaders Barcelona and one of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Racing remain 16th, a point above the relegation zone, Reuters reported.

Buoyed by last week's Clasico victory, Jose Mourinho's ⁠side moved the ⁠ball sharply and delivered another assured performance.

Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute before combining neatly with Arda Guler, who sent Bellingham through 10 minutes later. Bellingham glided ⁠around Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Diomande made it 3-0 nine minutes before halftime, thundering a bouncing ball into the top corner. The Ivorian has scored four goals and provided three assists in his last six appearances.

Racing competed well but rarely threatened, allowing Real to control a largely uneventful second half. ⁠Mbappe ⁠came closest to adding another goal when he struck the post on the hour.

Real Madrid produced a disciplined defensive display, limiting the hosts to one shot on target as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois enjoyed a quiet return after missing last week's game through illness.

Mourinho's side next travel to AEK Athens in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Earlier on Sunday, Getafe came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1.