The scenes of the race: There were three different but very similar versions in Singapore. In the 35th lap, all the top drivers had already changed the tires, the distances between the cars were low. But the race was decided not by thrilling overtaking maneuvers, but by safety cars: Overall, the drivers drove away twelve of the remaining 26 laps in a row. The big profiteer was Sebastian Vettel, who was already in the lead and did not have to defend it seriously until the end of the race.
The result: Sebastian Vettel celebrated after a tough race his first win of the season. Second was Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in front of Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. Click here for the report and here for the minutes.
End of the streak: For Vettel it was the first triumph in a Grand Prix since 392 days. Earlier in the season the German had been disqualified because of a dangerous maneuver against the world champion Lewis Hamilton the victory in Montreal. The draw horse of the Renaissance Ferraris since the end of the summer break had been Leclerc so far.
The wait is over # F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/o6V4MUiWdZ
- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 22, 2019In-team tactics: Winning the first two races after the summer break, each starting from the pole - and while his team-mate was not glittering with fame: Leclerc is the new star of the Formula 1 and looked after the pole position in Singapore again after the third victory in a row for the 21-year-old Monegassen. The surprise brought Ferrari: Because the Scuderia first Vettel asked to change tires, this came before Leclerc back on the track and won the race. "What the hell?" Leclerc asked over the phone, but afterward he agreed: "We might want to take a podium here, but we're going to double the race."
Overcome weakness: The fact that the Italian team in Singapore took the first two places, is actually a surprise. Of course, the city circuit has more curves through the Asian metropolis than traditional racetracks. In the first half of the season, the Ferraris on curvy tracks such as in Monaco or in Hungary had great problems and could convince only by mere performance on straights. That has obviously changed.
Record distance : Vettel itself has never had a problem with the track in Singapore. From 2011 to 2013, the 32-year-old took three wins in a row, won again in 2015 and is now the only record winner with five triumphs. On no other course did Vettel win more often.
F1 ️ - Most wins by Sebastian Vettel at specific Grand Prix
5 - GP of Singapore (+1)
4 - GP of Bahrain
4 - GP of Japan
4 - GP of Malaysia # F1 #SingaporeGP
Oligopol: Because the riders of the top teams made their pit stops relatively late, they returned to the track in the middle of the field. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) and Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) were on the podium for a few minutes. It was the first time since 86 races that a driver was in the lead who did not drive for Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull.