Overview

• Oscar Piastri’s five‑second false‑start penalty from Baku will not convert into a grid drop, allowing the points leader to start Singapore without carryover sanctions.
• Piastri’s cushion stands at 25 points over Lando Norris with Max Verstappen 69 back after Red Bull wins in Monza and Baku.
• Verstappen and team figures attribute Red Bull’s upswing to a new underbody and a steadier weekend approach under Laurent Mekies, boosting confidence after a difficult midsummer.
• Ralf Schumacher and other pundits say the psychological load on Piastri has increased as McLaren’s advantage narrowed on recent low‑grip weekends.
• Alpine confirmed Pierre Gasly for next year and is weighing Franco Colapinto against reserve Paul Aron for the second seat, while Haas will run Romain Grosjean in a one‑day VF‑23 test at Mugello on September 26.