Podiums may be unrealistic, but midfield drivers still face a demanding standard: recognize the opportunity, execute cleanly and take the result the car and race actually make possible.

Red Bull’s recovery traveled beyond Sepang. Mercedes found direction with its upgrade. McLaren still lacked pace. We revisit the three questions set before Singapore.

One hour of practice at Marina Bay will test whether Mercedes can unlock its package, Red Bull can carry its Sepang pace and McLaren can separate execution problems from a genuine car weakness.

Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli’s embrace after the Bahrain GP at Sepang showed that admiration doesn’t weaken competition. Sometimes, it makes the fight mean more.

Formula 1’s return to Sepang delivered one of the best weekends of 2026, and it was the circuit, not a gimmick, that made it.

Lando Norris had every right to be furious after Franco Colapinto ended his Azerbaijan GP. But a costly mistake, even one that eliminated three cars, did not justify a race ban.

Red Bull turned teamwork into a double podium, George Russell held his nerve under pressure, and Alpine threw away a major points opportunity in a chaotic Azerbaijan GP.

Norris lost the victory but delivered the defining performance, while Verstappen maximised Red Bull’s result and Madrid exposed difficult weekends for Sainz, Piastri, Tsunoda and Aston Martin.

Antonelli made history from 19th, Gasly delivered a shock pole and Ferrari collapsed at home. Miki judges who maximised Monza—and who let it slip.

Two wins have changed Norris’s season. My take on whether he can sustain the 7.55-point-per-weekend recovery needed to catch Antonelli.

Six modern Dutch Grands Prix. Six points finishes. My take on why Alonso’s latest P18-to-P9 recovery says more than the record alone.

One race. Ten verdicts. My take on who maximised the Dutch Grand Prix—and who left Zandvoort knowing they should have delivered more.