Overview

• FIA rules mean Oscar Piastri’s five‑second false‑start penalty from Baku is not converted into a grid drop after his retirement, so he starts Singapore without a sanction.
• The standings tighten with seven races left: Piastri leads Lando Norris by 25 points, with Max Verstappen 69 points adrift after victories in Monza and Baku.
• Analysts say McLaren’s grip window narrowed in Monza and Baku, contributing to Piastri’s error in Azerbaijan and exposing setup sensitivity that had been masked earlier in the season.
• Alpine boss Flavio Briatore confirms Pierre Gasly will stay and says the second seat is a choice between Franco Colapinto, who remains point‑less, and reserve Paul Aron, with a decision expected after one or two more races.
• Haas confirms a one‑day Mugello test on September 26 with Romain Grosjean driving the 2023 VF‑23 in a reunion with Ayao Komatsu, as TV analyst James Hinchcliffe also gets track time.