Episode 171 - F1 2026 Singpore Grand Prix

Summary Teeks and Riri review a chaotic Singapore sprint weekend and a much calmer Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won both races and Kimi Antonelli extended his championship lead. They also question the FIA’s explanation for the wet-weather software failure, weigh Mercedes’ upgrade strategy, and discuss the reliability problems shaping the season.In this episode: TopicsMercedes split its garage between two aero specifications, giving George Russell the older package and Antonelli the new one for a direct comparison. Russell faced a back-of-the-grid start after taking a power-unit penalty. The hosts debate Mercedes’ upgrade choices and the team’s reliability woes. The FIA blamed a software bug for cars losing power in Malaysia’s wet conditions. Teeks and Riri challenge the emergency fix and debate how much control software should have over the cars. Audi’s Singapore livery, inspired by the city’s shift from daylight to twilight, earns praise. The hosts also spot Charles Leclerc’s black race suit. Sprint qualifying saw Arvid Lindblad miss SQ2 after a timing glitch, while Verstappen took pole. The sprint itself was crash-filled, with only 13 cars finishing. Verstappen secured pole again for the Grand Prix, ahead of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Liam Lawson qualified ninth and continued his recent strong form. The dry Grand Prix was largely uneventful until Hamilton’s decision to stay out during a virtual safety car left him vulnerable on worn tires. He finished sixth as Verstappen won, with Leclerc second and Antonelli third. The hosts name Verstappen driver of the day and discuss Antonelli’s growing title lead, the season’s retirements, and whether teams are sacrificing reliability for speed.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome and Singapore Grand Prix preview
02:10 - Mercedes compares two aero packages
05:24 - Toto Wolff on investigating the performance drop
06:19 - Russell’s power-unit penalty and grid start
09:12 - The cost of more engine components
10:14 - The FIA explains the wet-weather software failure
12:01 - Why the emergency power fix worries the hosts
15:10 - Hybrid complexity and the spirit of racing
18:44 - Audi’s Singapore special livery
21:08 - Leclerc’s black race suit
22:09 - Sprint format, heat rules, and cooling vests
24:22 - Sprint qualifying: Perez’s incident and Lindblad’s exit
27:21 - Sprint top ten and Verstappen’s pole
31:38 - Rain delays the sprint; Russell briefly leads
34:14 - Stroll and Perez crash, followed by a safety-car pile-up
37:55 - McLaren teammates collide; Verstappen wins the sprint
40:32 - Grand Prix qualifying and Hadjar’s car trouble
42:48 - Colapinto hits the wall in Q2
44:10 - Verstappen takes pole ahead of the Ferraris
47:13 - Grid penalties and a dry race start
49:37 - Verstappen holds off Leclerc as the race settles
51:18 - Bortoleto retires with a transmission problem
52:12 - A long stretch without major race action
53:04 - Hamilton stays out during the virtual safety car
56:07 - Hamilton loses places on worn tires
57:10 - Verstappen wins Singapore for the first time
58:02 - Antonelli finishes third and extends his lead
60:00 - Race review: retirements and reliability concerns
64:15 - Driver of the day and the championship outlook

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