Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz broke Red Bull’s winning streak by clinching victory in the Singapore Grand Prix, putting an end to Red Bull’s 14-race winning run. Sainz led a four-car train in the closing laps, which included George Russell (Mercedes), who hit the wall on the final circuit. This win is Sainz’s second career victory, following his breakthrough win at last year’s British Grand Prix.
Sainz expressed his excitement after the race, saying, “I want to thank everyone in Ferrari for making this huge effort to turn around and manage to win this season after a tricky beginning.” He praised his team’s performance and expressed confidence that the victory would make Italy and Ferrari proud.
The race saw Sainz jump from pole position to lead his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc early on. Lewis Hamilton ran wide at the opening turn and had to give a position back to his Mercedes teammate Russell. There were some incidents in the opening laps, including Yuki Tsunoda’s retirement after contact with Oscar Piastri.
The race took a turn on lap 19 when Logan Sargeant hit the wall, prompting a safety car period and pit stops. Red Bull’s championship leader, Max Verstappen, elected not to stop, but his decision resulted in a drop in position. Eventually, he pitted and resumed in 15th place.
Racing resumed with Sainz leading the pack on old tires. By the final circuit, Sainz maintained his advantage over Lando Norris and the Mercedes duo of Russell and Hamilton. However, Norris tapped the fence but continued, while Russell crashed into the barriers. Sainz secured the victory, followed by Norris and Hamilton.
Pierre Gasly finished in sixth place, ahead of Piastri, Sergio Perez, and Liam Lawson, who scored his first F1 points. Lance Stroll crashed heavily during qualifying and did not start the race.
The F1 season will continue in Japan next weekend.
Sources:
– Source article: Ferrari holds on as Red Bull’s victory streak ends; Verstappen finishes fifth and Piastri seventh