Ferrari finished 1-2, eclipsing Mercedes in Singapore. But the big story on Sunday night was who finished #1 for Ferrari and who finished #2.
MARINA BAY CIRCUIT—Singapore—September 22nd—It has been one year and a couple of weeks since Sebastian Vettel won his last Grand Prix. On Sunday night, the German came in early for his only pit stop–instead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc–and with a little assistance from three safety car periods, Vettel kept his lead and went on to win the Singapore Grand Prix by 2.6 seconds ahead of Leclerc.
Max Verstappen just held off Lewis Hamilton for third. It was the first time in many races that the Mercedes team didn’t place a driver on the podium.
“First of all, big congratulations to the team,” Vettel said. “The start of the season has been difficult for us. Then we started to come alive, and I’m proud of everyone’s work back home,” he continued. “I want to thank the fans over the last couple of weeks. We haven’t been the best, and it’s happy to get so many letters and nice messages. It gives me lots of strength and belief, and I put it all into the car today.”
Despite his second-place finish, which gave Ferrari its first 1-2 finish in quite some time, Leclerc was not happy about how the team strategy favored Vettel. “It is always difficult to lose a win like that but, in the end, it’s a one-two for the team, so I’m happy for that,” Leclerc remarked. But, he continued, “I’m disappointed for me, but I will come back stronger. It looks a lot more positive than expected, the mechanics did an amazing job.”
Leclerc had good reason to be upset.
Many drivers, who usually are in the midfield during a race, found themselves in the front of the race. Among them was Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi, who took the lead in a race for the first time in his Formula 1 career. Daniel Ricciardo had a go at the Giovinazzi midway through the race and ended up on the wrong side by flattening his rear left tire. That happened when he accidentally hit Giovinazzi and dropped down the order. Then, only a few laps later, Giovinazzi was passed by Vettel as his tires began to wear down.
Eventually, Hamilton got his wish. The first of three safety car periods occurred when George Russell’s Williams was struck from behind by American Haas F1 Team’s Romain Grosjean. It happened after the Briton had passed the Frenchman. The incident threw Russell into the wall on the main back straight–right in front of all the action.
Then Sergio Perez encountered an engine failure on lap 43, bringing the second safety car out. The Mexican parked his Racing Point entry just down the road from where Russell shunted. Finally, Kimi Raikkonen retired his Alfa Romeo on lap 50 when he hit Toro Rosso’s Dani Kvyat coming off the first turn.
Those three incidents were the only cars that retired from the race.
However, just when Hamilton had a chance to advance, the safety cars came out, which gave Vettel and Leclerc enough time to stay out in front and finish 1-2. Hamilton ended up fourth.
Alexander Albon gave Red Bull double points by finishing sixth, while Lando Norris gave McLaren a seventh-place finish. That ending extending their lead for fourth in the world constructors’ championship.
Pierre Gasly was eighth for Toro Rosso, while Nico Hulkenberg gave some points for Renault in ninth. Giovinazzi’s hard work was rewarded by finishing tenth.
Formula 1 drivers won’t have long to rest. The next race takes place Sunday, September 29 in Sochi, Russia.
