F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Perez wins on streets of Marina Bay, Verstappen toils in midfield

Sergio Perez claimed victory on the streets of Singapore in a race that did not reach the scheduled 61-lap distance due to pre-race rain pushing back the start and a noise curfew. Perez slipped past pole-sitter Charles Leclerc at the first corner and didn't look back.

Perez and Leclerc raced away from the rest of the field while points leader Max Verstappen - who could have clinched his second straight World Drivers' Championship this weekend - started eighth and only managed a seventh-place finish after making a risky dive on Lando Norris, forcing an extra pit stop to replace over-cooked tires.

Singapore Grand Prix results

1. Sergio Perez, Red Bull-RBPT

2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

3. Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari

4. Lando Norris, McLaren

5. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

6. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin-Mercedes

7. Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT

8. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin-Mercedes

9. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

10. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri-RBPT

11. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari

12. Kevin Magnussen, Haas-Ferrari

13. Mick Schumacher, Haas-Ferrari (-1 lap)

14. George Russell, Mercedes (-2 laps)

• Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri-RBPT (OUT)

• Esteban Ocon, Alpine-Renault (OUT)

• Alexander Albon, Williams-Mercedes (OUT)

• Fernando Alonso, Alpine (OUT)

• Nicholas Latifi, Williams-Mercedes (OUT)

• Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari (OUT)

Singapore Grand Prix starting grid

1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2. Sergio Perez, Red Bull-RBPT

3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

4. Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari

5. Fernando Alonso, Alpine

6. Lando Norris, McLaren

7. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri-RBPT

8. Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT

9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas-Ferrari

10. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri-RBPT

11. George Russell, Mercedes

12. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin-Mercedes

13. Mick Schumacher, Haas-Ferrari

14. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin-Mercedes

15. Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari

16. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari

17. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

18. Esteban Ocon, Alpine-Renault

19. Alexander Albon, Williams-Mercedes

20. Nicholas Latifi, Williams-Mercedes

Top drivers and best bets for the Singapore Grand Prix

Verstappen has continued his imperious form from 2021 well into 2022 and absent a worthy challenger will clinch his second title barring complete catastrophe. Behind him, though, is an intriguing chase involving Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and the other two top teams in the sport:

F1 world drivers' championship Top 5

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 335

2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari - 219

3. Sergio Perez, Red Bull - 210

4. George Russell, Mercedes - 203

5. Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari - 187

6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 168

If not for myriad Ferrari tactical errors, and a few mistakes from Leclerc himself, the race for the title would be much tighter, leaving the other four scuffling for third place. Only Verstappen (11 wins), Leclerc (3), Perez and Sainz (1 apiece) have stood atop the podium this season.

As for history at Marina Bay, Sebastian Vettel has won five of the 12 races held there, Lewis Hamilton four and Fernando Alonso two. Retired 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg is the lone other winner on the streets of Singapore.

Best odds for the Singapore Grand Prix (per BetMGM)

• Max Verstappen (-165)

• Charles Leclerc (+350)

• Lewis Hamilton (+800)

• Carlos Sainz Jr. (+1000)

Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg likes Leclerc’s odds for both pole (+200) and a podium finish (-190) and if the former happens, the latter should follow as Marina Bay is notoriously hard to overtake on track. While Verstappen has the race wins edge this year over Leclerc at 11-3, Leclerc has won the pole position battle 8-5.

Singapore Grand Prix weekend forecast

The weather in Singapore looks to be hot and muggy with precipitation possible, most likely on race day. Rain always throws a spanner in the works in terms of on-track action and strategy calls, so Sunday may not be as straightforward as we’ve seen this season.