Hamilton dominates in Singapore? Ferrari miscalculated

After a tactical error by Ferrari and a brilliant Formula 1 night shift by Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel's chances of winning the World Cup have fallen to a minimum. After his fatal crash in Monza, the German Scuderia star had to settle for third place on Sunday due to an incorrect tire strategy and is already 40 points behind Singapore winner Hamilton in the overall standings before the last six races of this season.

In the largely tense overseas opener, Vettel was brought into the pits too early by his Scuderia command post, with serious consequences. The British poleman Hamilton, on the other hand, secured his seventh win of the season in a Mercedes on the Ferrari parade route ahead of Max Verstappen in a Red Bull.

Sebastian Vettel was left behind by Lewis Hamilton. © APA/afp / JEWEL SAMAD

Thanks to his fourth success in the last five Grands Prix, a Hamilton in top form has a reassuring cushion to be crowned world champion for the fifth time. He enjoyed the fireworks over the brightly lit Marina Bay Circuit after his 69th career win.

Vettel's weekend in the city state had not started according to plan. The Heppenheimer had to park his car early in the second training session due to a defective right rear wheel suspension. He experienced much greater disappointment in qualifying. More than 0,6 seconds behind Hamilton, who secured his 79th career pole with a magical lap, the disgruntled Vettel only finished third on the grid.

“It could have been worse, but I think we have the pace to fight for victory,” said the German during the drivers’ parade. And right at the start of the night race there was a crash. This time, however, without Vettel's involvement, who collided with his teammate Kimi Räikkönen and Red Bull's Max Verstappen after the start last year. All three were eliminated at that time. This time the two Force India cars of Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon crashed into each other in turn three. The Frenchman Ocon crashed into the guardrail and his Grand Prix ended prematurely. In the eleventh edition of the race, the safety car came onto the course illuminated by more than 1600 light projectors and immediately slowed down the field. Hamilton's 69th victory was never in danger Vettel had previously gotten off to a strong start, but had not yet taken full risks against second-placed Verstappen in the battle for position on the 301 meters to the first corner. On the first straight, just before the safety car came onto the track, the Scuderia star passed the Dutchman and was able to get into position to chase the leader Hamilton.

Ferrari then took the initiative in the tire poker around the four-time world champion from Germany. On the 15th lap, Vettel's company car received ultrasoft rubber and he finished seventh behind Pérez. One lap later, Hamilton came into the pits. However, the Mercedes crew relied on the harder compound, the soft tires, in order to get through to him without further stops. And the Brit raced onto the track in fifth place ahead of Pérez and Vettel. Verstappen, like Hamilton, had the softs put on his Red Bull on the 18th lap - and returned to the track at the exit of the pit lane even ahead of Vettel. “The tires don’t last until the end, we were too late again,” said Vettel, who only finished fourth in Monza two weeks ago, criticizing Ferrari’s decision. His command post was gambled away.

With almost 70 percent humidity, Hamilton took the lead again on the 28th lap after Verstappen's stable rival Daniel Ricciardo was the last top driver to come into the pits. The 33-year-old's lead over third Vettel was almost nine seconds. Hülkenberg, who started tenth, was fighting for 13th place. Hamilton later got stuck in traffic while overtaking, Verstappen and Vettel were able to get closer again. However, the Brit freed himself from the asphalt thicket in time and from then on had to concentrate on his tire management. Hamilton no longer had to fear an attack from Vettel. The tires on the Ferrari deteriorated too much while the Brit crossed the finish line happily.

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Hamilton dominates in Singapore? Ferrari miscalculated

Sebastian Vettel doesn't fight back in Singapore. A wrong tire strategy from Ferrari prevented him from getting past third place. The shining winner is once again Lewis Hamilton. The world title is becoming increasingly distant for Vettel.

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