Red Bull fail to win a race for the first time this year as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz takes victory at Singapore Grand Prix.
In a sensational turn of events at the Singapore Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz of Ferrari triumphed over the seemingly invincible Max Verstappen and Red Bull, ending their record-setting winning streak of 10 consecutive victories in Formula One. Sainz’s remarkable performance shattered Red Bull’s dream of an unbeaten season, leaving fans and enthusiasts in awe.
The podium at Marina Bay Street Circuit was graced by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who completed the top three. Sainz clinched the win by a mere 0.812-second margin at the checkered flag. This race marked the first time Red Bull was not on the podium since the Brazilian Grand Prix in November of the previous year.
The race unfolded as a strategic and slow-burning thriller, and Carlos Sainz, often referred to as the “smooth operator,” lived up to his nickname. Starting from pole position, Sainz managed to keep the field close, preventing any pitstop opportunities for his rivals. He masterfully conserved his tires and even aided his former teammate Lando Norris in maintaining a competitive edge by letting him stay within the DRS (drag reduction system) range.
As the race neared its conclusion, Mercedes’ George Russell, equipped with significantly fresher medium tires than the leaders, was pushing hard for the win. Unfortunately, his ambitions led to a crash on the final lap, eventually granting Hamilton the podium position and the fastest lap accolade.
Sainz expressed his elation after securing his second career win for the Italian Ferrari team, with his previous triumph dating back to Silverstone the year before. He stated, “We nailed the race. We did everything we had to do. We did it perfect and we brought home a P1 that I’m sure all Italy and Ferrari is going to be proud and happy today.”
Sainz’s remarkable victory was achieved with a remarkable tire strategy, as he skillfully stretched his hard tires for 42 laps, ensuring that he won at the slowest possible speed. This win marked Ferrari’s first victory since Charles Leclerc’s triumph in Austria over a year ago.
Red Bull’s incredible winning streak, comprising 15 successive victories, came to an end in Singapore. The team faced an uphill battle from the moment they failed to secure top-10 qualifying positions, and at a circuit like Marina Bay, where overtaking is notoriously challenging, their prospects appeared dim.
Verstappen, a double world champion, began the race from the 11th position under the dazzling floodlights and ultimately finished fifth. His teammate, Sergio Perez, who had won in Singapore the previous year, settled for eighth place.
Although Verstappen extended his overall lead to 151 points, it was not sufficient to secure the championship title in the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton’s third-place finish elevated him to third place in the overall standings for the first time this season, surpassing Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, who failed to score and finished in 15th place.
The race also witnessed strong performances from Leclerc, Pierre Gasly of Alpine, and Australian driver Oscar Piastri, who secured the seventh position for McLaren. Liam Lawson, filling in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, secured his first-ever Formula One points with a ninth-place finish, while Kevin Magnussen secured the final point for Haas in 10th place.
Mercedes made strides in the constructors’ standings, narrowing Red Bull’s lead to 308 points, postponing Red Bull’s championship celebration for at least another weekend.
The Singapore Grand Prix was marked by key incidents, including a safety car period on lap 20 due to Logan Sargeant’s Williams hitting the wall, leaving debris on the track. Ferrari took this opportunity to pit, while Red Bull opted to stay out. Verstappen, who had started on hard tires, briefly moved up to second, with Perez in fourth. However, their positions slipped as the race progressed and they made regular pit stops.
On lap 44, the virtual safety car was deployed when Esteban Ocon of Alpine suffered a suspected gearbox failure, resulting in Mercedes pitting. Meanwhile, the top three drivers chose to stay out, setting the stage for an exhilarating final pursuit.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton closed in on the frontrunners but ultimately ran out of time and track to challenge Sainz’s dominant performance. Russell, who had previously won a non-Red Bull race, lamented a lapse of concentration on the final lap, which cost him the victory he had been chasing.
The Singapore Grand Prix showcased the unpredictable and thrilling nature of Formula One racing, proving that even dominant streaks can be broken by determined and strategic driving. Carlos Sainz and Ferrari’s exceptional performance will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in the 2023 Formula One season.
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