Germany’s Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) won his first F1 Grand Prix in 23 races in Singapore on Sunday 22nd September 2019, the first in 2019.
Germany’s Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) won his first F1 Grand Prix in 23 races on Sunday 22nd September 2019 in Singapore, the first in 2019, ahead of his Monaco teammate Charles Leclerc, who had started from pole position.
Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) completes the podium of the 15th round of 21 this season, on the Marina Bay circuit.
The Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), is only 4th but increases his lead from 63 to 65 points in the driver’s standings over his Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas, who finished 5th.
For Ferrari – which had to wait for the two previous GPs in Belgium and Italy to win with Leclerc its first two wins in 2019 – it is also the first double since the Hungarian Grand Prix 2017.
The anger of Leclerc
This unexpected return of fortune on a plot that on paper did not favour the characteristics of their car, will remain tainted by the anger of Leclerc.
In pole position on a track on which it is very difficult to overtake, the 21-year-old did not expect to see his team-mate, who started 3rd, steal the lead of the race by stopping at the pits a lap before him, following a “last minute” instruction from Scuderia, Vettel said.
“I do not understand (this strategic choice). It will discuss after the race. (…) I think it’s unfair, “fumed the Monaco driver on the radio during the GP, before being more measured once down from his car.
Grosjean 11th
The other loser of this strategic choice is Hamilton, who stayed on the track for as long as possible to maintain his 2nd place on the grid, but who eventually lost two positions by returning to the pits.
Thailand’s Alexander Albon (Red Bull), Britain’s Lando Norris (McLaren), France’s Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso), Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) and Italy’s Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo Racing) round out the top 10.
The other Frenchman Romain Grosjean (Haas) is 11th.
Finnish Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo Racing) and the British George Russell (Williams), caught in skirmishes, and the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Racing Point), who suffered a breakdown, were dropped.
