Upgrades and a familiar headwind: Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren bring Singapore updates as Verstappen takes Sprint pole
Formula1.com technical analysis highlights new updates from Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren ahead of the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, while Sprint qualifying in Singapore and a stewards' verdict on Max Verstappen deliver the early talking points.
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Upgrades land in Singapore
With the paddock preparing for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, Formula1.com's technical series Tech Talk turned its attention to the development race, with F1 technical expert Sam Collins examining the upgrades that Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren hope will give them the edge at the Marina Bay circuit. 1
Leclerc's pre-event assessment
Any hope at Ferrari has been tempered by the team's own lead driver. Speaking ahead of the weekend in a Formula1.com video, Charles Leclerc said he felt Ferrari had fallen back compared to the other leading teams, describing a "tendency to be less-strong compared to our competitors" and stating that "to win will be very difficult". 2
Leclerc's disappointment was echoed in the garage once the cars hit the track, with Formula1.com reporting after Sprint Qualifying in Singapore that the Scuderia was 'not fast enough', according to the Monegasque driver. 3
Verstappen on top in Sprint Qualifying
The first competitive running of the weekend confirmed the Sprint order. According to the FIA, Max Verstappen sealed pole for the Singapore Sprint ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, giving Red Bull the preferred starting position for the Saturday race. 3
Stewards rule on Verstappen yellow flag incident
Sprint Qualifying also produced a regulatory talking point. Formula1.com reported that the stewards issued a verdict over a Verstappen yellow flag incident in Singapore, and separately examined why Verstappen avoided a penalty after Sprint Qualifying — a decision that leaves his pole position intact for the Sprint. 3
Mixed fortunes at Mercedes and McLaren
Formula1.com's post-session coverage painted a divided picture within the top teams. Russell said he was reacting to his second-place Sprint Qualifying result with a downgraded car, while Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli described himself as struggling with a 'very difficult' new-spec car. 3
At McLaren, Formula1.com reported that the team's drivers were divided over a 'very tricky' Sprint Qualifying session, suggesting the upgrade-equipped squad had yet to find a consistent set-up window around the street circuit. 3
Set-up and confidence under the lights
Taken together, the early running suggests the development battle described by Sam Collins in Tech Talk has yet to translate into a clear on-track advantage. The upgrades Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren carried to Singapore have so far been offset by Verstappen's Sprint pole, with Leclerc's own assessment that victory will be difficult standing in contrast to Ferrari's pre-event ambition. 123
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