Max Verstappen, despite being the dominant driver in recent Formula 1 seasons, has never won the Singapore Grand Prix and has actually led fewer laps at the Marina Bay Street Circuit than a lesser-known competitor. As the 2025 race weekend approaches, the four-time world champion remains F1’s hottest driver, but his Max Verstappen Singapore performance still shows surprising gaps when compared to peers like Antonio Giovinazzi.
Verstappen’s Struggles to Lead in Singapore
Throughout his Formula 1 career, Max Verstappen has led only three laps at the Singapore Grand Prix, a startlingly low figure given his usual race dominance. While this does not necessarily indicate a personal weakness on this high-downforce street circuit, it highlights how Singapore’s unique conditions have posed challenges even for top talents. Verstappen’s impressive 2018 qualifying lap, which put him second on the grid behind an unexpected pole from Lewis Hamilton, remains a notable highlight.
An Unexpected Leader: Antonio Giovinazzi’s Singapore Laps
Strikingly, former Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi has led more laps at the Singapore GP than Verstappen, totaling four during the 2019 race. Despite a Formula 1 career largely overshadowed by teammates like Kimi Raikkonen, Giovinazzi managed to seize moments of opportunity at Marina Bay. His presence in F1 from 2019 to 2021 with Sauber, while not spectacular overall, included this rare achievement that still stands out.
Giovinazzi’s 2019 performance is even more noteworthy considering Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel ultimately won that Singapore race. Though Giovinazzi’s final year in F1 was a high point, it was not enough to retain his seat as Sauber brought in Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu for the following season. Now, Giovinazzi plays a significant role within Ferrari’s World Endurance Championship Hypercar program, having secured victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023.
Singapore’s Challenge for Leading Teams in 2025
The upcoming Singapore GP promises a true test for Verstappen and Red Bull, who have gained some momentum with consecutive wins at Monza and Baku. However, the intense heat and specific technical demands of the Marina Bay Street Circuit favor high downforce setups, which historically benefit teams like McLaren. The MCL39, in particular, tends to perform better where managing tyre overheating is crucial—making this weekend’s race a potentially pivotal moment for championship contenders.
While Verstappen remains the strong favorite heading into most races, the Singapore Grand Prix continues to challenge even the sport’s best drivers. The contrast in performance at this event offers insight into how circuit characteristics can influence race outcomes and driver legacies.
