Lewis Hamilton wins title on dramatic, rain-drenched night at the Singapore Grand Prix

SINGAPORE –  As the rain fell on the Marina Bay Street Circuit ahead of the 8pm race start on Sunday evening (Sept 17), there were plenty of worried frowns as the Formula 1 drivers gazed skywards. For they were in uncharted territory here at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, with nine previous editions of the night race run in dry weather. 

Indeed, those fears became reality the moment the race started last night – a dramatic collision on the opening lap between pole sitter Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen saw the three frontrunners taken out of the battle after the first turn. 

The crash ended Vettel’s hopes of leapfrogging world championship leader Lewis Hamilton, as the German was forced to retire, leaving his Mercedes rival to claim the lead – and his third Singapore title – from fifth place on the grid. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas finished second and third respectively in the 58-lap, two-hour race.

Vettel, who had engineered a come-from-behind win at Saturday’s qualifying to claim pole, could hardly contain his disappointment after wasting a precious opportunity on a twisty, 23-turn track suited to his Ferrari SF70H. 

“Not ideal is it?” he said. “I didn’t see that much, I saw Max (Verstappen) and then next thing I see is Max and Kimi hitting me somewhere. It doesn’t change much, obviously we’re not in the race and can’t show the pace we have.”

Hamilton was certainly thanking his lucky stars last night after escaping unscathed from the opening lap crash, and clinching victory in an incident-filled night at the Marina Bay circuit that saw a season-record of eight retirements and three safety car periods.

The win sees him edging closer to a fourth world title, as the Briton extended his lead over Vettel to 28 points with six races remaining on the calendar. 

A delighted Hamilton said on Sunday: “This is a great result. We struggled (on Saturday) and I had no idea what would happen today. We were very fortunate in the beginning, and I couldn’t be happier and I’m really grateful. 

“I was just focused on winning and trying to get to the front. I needed it to rain and as soon that happened I knew (I could win it). I knew I had the pace in the rain.”

Australian driver Ricciardo, who had also finished second in 2015 and 2016, was in good spirits despite missing out on top spot. “I can’t win the bloody thing, but I’m trying!” he said. “I’m a little disappointed but pretty grateful with another podium.”

While there was good news for Singapore GP –  with the race promoters announcing on Sunday that the overall attendance of 260,400 for 2017 was higher than the average overall turnout in its 10-year history, and a 18.9 per cent increase from last year’s total of 219,000 –  the promoters said that they were are also looking into an alleged breach in track security at the circuit. 

A post on local website All Singapore Stuff on Sunday morning reportedly showed a photo of two fans posing on the track with the caption: “Three am in the morning. Bribed the security guard to let us onto the track. He not only agreed, he took the photo.”

A Singapore GP spokesperson said in a statement that they would be looking into the matter: “The safety of our patrons is of utmost priority and we view (the) allegation of bribery seriously. We are working with the appointed security agency assigned to the reported area, to investigate the claim.”