SERGIO PEREZ won his second race of the season as team-mate Max Verstappen failed to wrap up the title in Singapore.
Verstappen could have sealed the title if results had gone his way, but as with the spill over from Saturday’s qualifying nightmare the reigning world champion suffered a horror show during the race.
Perez won his second race of the season
The changeable conditions of the Singapore track ensured six drivers did not finish while many others, including Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, suffered from crashes and lock ups.
Despite Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc starting on pole, Perez was quicker off the line and claimed P1 by the time the first turn was reached.
And from there he produced one of his best-ever races to beat Leclerc to the chequered flag under immense pressure.
Meanwhile, Hamilton suffered a less than ideal race as his best qualifying result of the season only rewarded with two points on race day with a P9 finish.
The seven-time champion lost a place immediately at the start, with Carlos Sainz bolting off the line to claim third, bumping Hamilton off the track in the process.
Hamilton also paid the barrier a visit. As he trailed the Spaniard he failed to find the grip to make a tight corner, and subsequently found his car going wing first into the side of the track.
One of a few safety cars seen throughout the race then ruined his and team-mates George Russell’s chances of getting into higher positions as the midfield runners were allowed to pit and come out ahead of the Mercedes pair.
Verstappen managed to wrestle a P7 finish out of his disappointing race, overtaking Sebastian Vettel on the final lap, and will now be looking ahead to F1’s return to Suzuka in Japan next week.
However, much alike his team this week Perez’s victory has had doubt cast over it, with the stewards investigating an alleged safety car infringement after the race.
Red Bull are rumoured to be one of two teams who failed to stay within the budget cap for the 2021 season, which could lead to point deductions and even exclusion if the offence is deemed severe enough.
