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
Sergio Perez, Red Bull-RBPT
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari
Lando Norris, McLaren
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin-Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin-Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri-RBPT
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari
Kevin Magnussen, Haas-Ferrari
Mick Schumacher, Haas-Ferrari (-1 lap)
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
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Sergio Perez, Red Bull-RBPT
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari
Fernando Alonso, Alpine
Lando Norris, McLaren
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri-RBPT
Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT
Kevin Magnussen, Haas-Ferrari
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri-RBPT
George Russell, Mercedes
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin-Mercedes
Mick Schumacher, Haas-Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin-Mercedes
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
Esteban Ocon, Alpine-Renault
Alexander Albon, Williams-Mercedes
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
Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 335
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari - 219
Sergio Perez, Red Bull - 210
George Russell, Mercedes - 203
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari - 187
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.