F1 Singapore Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates and results as Carlos Sainz claims brilliant win

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz beat Lando Norris and Mercedes’ tactical gamble in a frenetic finale to win the Singapore Grand Prix and end Red Bull’s bid to become Formula One’s ‘Invincibles’.

Red Bull arrived at the Marina Bay Circuit with 14 victories from 14 rounds, but Sainz finally ended their crushing dominance with an impressive victory.

Norris took second after holding off George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who both stopped for tyres with 17 laps remaining in a gung-ho bid to take the win.

But Russell and Hamilton were unable to find a way past a resilient Norris in a dramatic conclusion with the former crashing out on the final lap. Russell’s crash allowed Hamilton to complete the podium, with Charles Leclerc fourth.

Follow live updates from the Singapore Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX - RACE UPDATES

• Carlos Sainz wins the Singapore Grand Prix; Norris 2nd; Hamilton 3rd

• Click HERE for the top-10

• CRASH! George Russell puts his Mercedes in the wall on the final lap

• Lap 61/62: Carlos Sainz leads the race; Norris 2nd; Russell 3rd

• Lap 45/62: Mercedes pit both drivers to go for win

• Lap 20/62: SAFETY CAR!

• Lap 2/62: Lewis Hamilton gives position back to George Russell

• START! Charles Leclerc surges past George Russell for P2

Carlos Sainz holds on for thrilling victory in Singapore as Red Bull winning run ends

16:19 , Kieran Jackson

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz beat Lando Norris and Mercedes’ tactical gamble in a frenetic finale to win the Singapore Grand Prix and end Red Bull’s bid to become Formula One’s ‘Invincibles’.

Red Bull arrived at the Marina Bay Circuit with 14 victories from 14 rounds, but Sainz finally ended their crushing dominance with an impressive victory.

Norris took second after holding off George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who both stopped for tyres with 17 laps remaining in a gung-ho bid to take the win.

But Russell and Hamilton were unable to find a way past a resilient Norris in a dramatic conclusion with the former crashing out on the final lap. Russell’s crash allowed Hamilton to complete the podium, with Charles Leclerc fourth.

Carlos Sainz holds on for thrilling victory in Singapore as Red Bull winning run ends

Toto Wolff:

15:46 , Kieran Jackson

“Lewis had a brilliant race, it’s a shame for George because he worked hard for that. We’ve now lost 22 points to Ferrari.

“The things he said on the radio I can’t say on television. As a driver you’re devastated in such a moment!

“We’ve had those outliers in Singapore, I expect Red Bull to be back.”

Time for the podium!

15:34 , Kieran Jackson

A beaming Carlos Sainz stands on top of the podium in Singapore!

It’s the Spanish and Italian national anthems today! We haven’t heard that combination since Silverstone last year!

Lewis Hamilton:

15:26 , Kieran Jackson

“Congratulations to Carlos and Lando, they did a great job. We rolled the dice this weekend, I felt like it was a two-stop - I put my head down, it’s extremely unfortunate for George and our tyres were so hot.

“This is how it should be. Incredibly hot. I only lost two kilos today so not too bad.”

Lando Norris:

15:14 , Kieran Jackson

“Carlos was very generous giving me DRS. We did everything we needed to do and more!

“I feel for George. He was the quickest out there, but it’s good points for the team. We all pushed each other, it was stressful but it paid off. “

Carlos Sainz:

15:08 , Kieran Jackson

“An incredible feeling, incredible weekend. We’ve managed to win this season after a tricky beginning. We did everything we had to do!

“It was all about managing at the beginning of the stints. A safety car forced us to pit earlier than we wanted, I had to keep George slowing down. It was quite tight at the end, we gave Lando a bit of DRS...

“I felt under control, I had the headspace to do what I had to do.”

What a race!

15:00 , Kieran Jackson

That was a stormer! Terrific racing between the cars right at the front!

A much-deserved victory for Carlos Sainz, who has been the best driver all weekend in Singapore!

The smooth operator claims his 2nd win in Formula 1.

TOP-10 AT THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX!

14:57 , Kieran Jackson

1. Carlos Sainz

2. Lando Norris

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Charles Leclerc

5. Max Verstappen

6. Pierre Gasly

7. Oscar Piastri

8. Sergio Perez

9. Liam Lawson

10. Kevin Magnussen

Carlos Sainz wins the Singapore Grand Prix!

14:52 , Kieran Jackson

Unbelievable!

Carlos Sainz takes the chequered flag in first, with Lando Norris in second... and Lewis Hamilton in third!

George Russell puts his Mercedes in the wall at the end of the final lap! “NOOOOOO!” he screams!

Final lap! (Lap 62/62)

14:49 , Kieran Jackson

It’s still so tight with one lap to go!

Carlos Sainz has dropped back to give Norris DRS on purpose!

Norris still holding second, with Russell trying everything to get up a spot!

One more to go...

Lando Norris holding P2 brilliantly (Lap 60/62)

14:47 , Kieran Jackson

Russell makes a move on Norris with DRS but the McLaren does well to keep the Mercedes behind...

Hamilton right on the tail of his team-mate too! The three Brits squabbling only helps Carlos Sainz out in first!

Lando Norris now within DRS of Carlos Sainz! (Lap 58/62)

14:46 , Kieran Jackson

This is going to be a hell of an ending!

The gap between the top four of Sainz, Norris, Russell and Hamilton is just 1.7 seconds!

Norris within DRS of Sainz, too.

It’s all so tight!

George Russell gets past Charles Leclerc (Lap 54/62)

14:38 , Kieran Jackson

The switcheroo gets it done for Russell, he’s up to third!

And Hamilton only needs another lap to get past the Ferrari as well!

Next in line? Lando Norris in second. Five seconds down the road.

George Russell closing in on Charles Leclerc (Lap 52/62)

14:35 , Kieran Jackson

Russell making inroads very quickly on Leclerc - he’s now just two seconds behind the Ferrari!

Hamilton 2.4 secs off Russell. The Mercedes boys are coming!

A bit further back, Max Verstappen has got himself up to eighth, and he’s around three seconds off Piastri in seventh.

VSC over! (Lap 46/62)

14:24 , Kieran Jackson

It’s game on now!

George Russell is 13 seconds behind Charles Leclerc in third, on new medium tyres! How quickly can he erode that gap?

Top-10: Sainz, Norris, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Gasly, Piastri, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Zhou

Mercedes pit both Russell and Hamilton! (Lap 45/62)

14:23 , Kieran Jackson

This could work out beautifully for Mercedes!

They double stack, pitting both, and Russell comes out fourth and Hamilton in fifth - but in clean air!

New tyres. Could be so, so key.

New top three is Sainz, Norris and Leclerc.

Virtual safety car! (Lap 44/62)

14:20 , Kieran Jackson

Esteban Ocon’s engine looks to have blown - and he’s stopped at the pit exit at turn 2!

He screams in frustration! He was running so well in sixth!

Virtual safety car - race neutralised!

No one pitting yet...

Max Verstappen pits (Lap 41/62)

14:16 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen also now comes into the pits, switching to mediums, and comes out in 15th!

The Red Bulls now 15th and 17th! Who’d have seen this coming?!

However, they should make their way through the field relatively quickly...

Sergio Perez pits (Lap 40/62)

14:14 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez, finally, pits and comes out in P18!

What a shocker this has been for Red Bull! Max Verstappen may well end up in a similar position...

Carlos Sainz on team radio (Lap 38/62)

14:11 , Kieran Jackson

“Let me know when it’s good to push, I should have one second of time in hand,” says Sainz.

George Russell now 0.8 secs off Carlos Sainz, who continues to manage his tyres.

A bit further back, Esteban Ocon overtakes former team-mate Fernando Alonso after some terrific racing between the pair, just behind Sergio Perez.

Carlos Sainz leads but is under pressure! (Lap 34/62)

14:04 , Kieran Jackson

It’s so close between the top four cars.

Lewis Hamilton in fourth has a clear view of Carlos Sainz in first but has George Russell and Lando Norris in between!

Less than a second between each car...

Sainz continuing to manage his tyres - Russell can’t quite get close enough to make a move.

5-10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Ocon, Magnussen

Max Verstappen loses more places! (Lap 28/62)

13:54 , Kieran Jackson

Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have passed Max Verstappen, who drops down to sixth!

Such an odd sight to see!

Top-10: Sainz, Russell, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Ocon, Magnussen

Sainz’s gap to Russell now 1.1 seconds.

Lando Norris cruises past Max Verstappen (Lap 26/62)

13:51 , Kieran Jackson

A sight we haven’t seen much this season - Max Verstappen a sitting duck as Lando Norris storms down the inside!

Norris up to third! And George Russell is within DRS of Carlos Sainz in the lead!

Fernando Alonso receives a five-second time penalty (Lap 25/62)

13:48 , Kieran Jackson

As expected, Fernando Alonso receives a five-second penalty for that pit lane entry!

He’s currently P8.

Brilliant racing after the safety car! (Lap 24/62)

13:47 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz gets off well but both Red Bulls seriously under pressure on worn tyres compared to new tyres!

Max Verstappen loses second to George Russell, while Lando Norris is up to fourth ahead of Sergio Perez!

Charles Leclerc has lost a spot to Lewis Hamilton, who has also now got ahead of Perez!

Top-10: Sainz, Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Hamilton, Perez, Leclerc, Alonso, Ocon, Magnussen

Fernando Alonso under investigation (Lap 22/62)

13:43 , Kieran Jackson

This is a slam dunk penalty!

Fernando Alonso overshot it coming into the pits, went over the white line and then came back into the pit lane... that’ll be five seconds, you’d think.

Safety car coming in at the end of this lap...

Max Verstappen up to second after not pitting (Lap 21/62)

13:42 , Kieran Jackson

Carnage in the pits!

Carlos Sainz in and out all OK, but Charles Leclerc was held in his pit box due to traffic - and both George Russell and Lando Norris have got ahead of him!

Most of the field have pitted, but both Red Bull cars stay out! Max Verstappen now P2, with Sergio Perez in P4. Of course, they will have to pit at some point...

New top-10: Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Ocon, Bottas

SAFETY CAR! (Lap 20/62)

13:38 , Kieran Jackson

Chaos ensues!

Very busy in the pit lane as a safety car comes out!

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc both coming in...

Logan Sargeant has tapped the barriers! (Lao 20/62)

13:37 , Kieran Jackson

The Williams’ front wing is under his car after a brief touch with the wall!

Pieces of debris flying off his car... will we get a safety car?

Max Verstappen told to ease off (Lap 18/62)

13:35 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase telling the Dutchman to back off Esteban Ocon, stop pushing, in order to save his hard tyres.

Indeed, the Red Bull is now outside DRS, 1.6 secs off Ocon.

Carlos Sainz’s gap to Charles Leclerc out in front, now 2.8 secs.

Carlos Sainz managing his pace at the moment (Lap 13/62)

13:27 , Kieran Jackson

Interesting stat: Logan Sargeant in 16th is lapping as quick as Carlos Sainz in the lead!

The Spaniard just managing his tyres and engine temperatures, whilst maintaining a healthy 1.2 sec lead to his team-mate.

Max Verstappen, meanwhile, finds himself stuck behind Esteban Ocon in the battle for seventh. And he’s now outside DRS...

Here’s Lewis Hamilton start and why he gave back two spots

13:24 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc told to back off Carlos Sainz (Lap 11/62)

13:22 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc told by his race engineer to manage his pace, with a preferred three-second gap to Carlos Sainz in front.

That’ll back him up to George Russell in third.

4-10: Norris, Hamilton, Alonso, Ocon, Verstappen, Magnussen, Hulkenberg

Slowly entering the pit-lane window for soft tyres, i.e. Leclerc.

Max Verstappen less than 10 seconds from Carlos Sainz (Lap 7/62)

13:15 , Kieran Jackson

The pack are very tight here - and Max Verstappen has moved up to eighth with a brilliant overtake down the inside of Kevin Magnussen!

And Verstappen is just eight seconds off Sainz!

Yuki Tsunoda, by the way, retired due to a puncture.

Lewis Hamilton gives fourth place back to Lando Norris (Lap 5/62)

13:13 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes have clearly told Lewis Hamilton that he needs to give another position back... and he does so!

Lando Norris up to fourth.

Carlos Sainz leads from Charles Leclerc (Lap 3/62)

13:11 , Kieran Jackson

Ferrari in control here - Carlos Sainz one second ahead of Charles Leclerc!

Lewis Hamilton does give the position back to George Russell, but Lando Norris in fifth is also wanting a position back, insisting Hamilton simply didn’t break at turn 1!

3-10: Russell, Hamilton, Norris, Alonso, Ocon, Magnussen, Verstapepn, Hulkenberg

Sergio Perez still P13.

Yuki Tsunoda is out!

13:08 , Kieran Jackson

Don’t know what happened to Yuki, but he’s out of the car and is out of the race!

His car parked behind the bollard so despite brief yellow flags, no safety car!

Lights out in Singapore!

13:07 , Kieran Jackson

Great start for Ferrari as Carlos Sainz keeps the lead - and Charles Leclerc swoops into second place!

George Russell with a horror start and Lewis Hamilton has surged past his team-mate - but did he do it off the track?

I think so! Russell not happy about it:“Is he gonna let me back past?”

Lando Norris now P5, Max Verstappen in 10th...

Formation lap....

13:01 , Kieran Jackson

So Carlos Sainz leads the pack around the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the formation lap!

Tyres: Charles Leclerc, in third, starting on softs. Everyone else in the top-10 on mediums, while Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are on the hard compound tyre.

Who will lead after turn 1?!

What is the starting grid?

12:58 , Kieran Jackson

1) Carlos Sainz

2) George Russell

3) Charles Leclerc

4) Lando Norris

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Kevin Magnussen

7) Fernando Alonso

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Nico Hulkenberg

10) Liam Lawson

11) Max Verstappen

12) Pierre Gasly

13) Sergio Perez

14) Alex Albon

15) Yuki Tsunoda

16) Valtteri Bottas

17) Oscar Piastri

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Zhou Guanyu (pit lane)

Lance Stroll, who qualified 20th, will not take part in Sunday’s race following his high-speed crash on Saturday

F1 Singapore Grand Prix LIVE

12:57 , Kieran Jackson

We’re minutes away from lights out in Marina Bay!

Will Red Bull’s win-streak end here?!

Lando Norris:

12:54 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s not going to be easy, just to overtake is going to difficult. Lap one, safety cars, all the fun stuff - we have the pace to stay there and compete against them>’

Norris starts fourth as he continues to chase his first win.

Max Verstappen:

12:52 , Kieran Jackson

“We rely on a bit of luck throughout the race to pass cars, you need a big base delta to pass cars. We’ll see, enjoy the race, a lot of things can happen.

“We’re lacking a bit in general over the whole weekend...”

He starts P11. Where will he finish?

Red Bull boss Christian Horner ahead of the race:

12:49 , Kieran Jackson

“We’ve got a great race car. Statistically, we’ve got no chance but who believes in statistics?!”

A moment to pause...

12:46 , Kieran Jackson

We’ll now have a minute’s silence in Singapore for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco and the flooding in Libya.

The Singapore national anthem will follow...

Alex Albon:

12:44 , Kieran Jackson

“Just did an ice bath, it’s so hot here. I still struggle around this track, it feels muggy as well so let’s see...”

The Williams man starts 14th on the grid...

Haas boss Guenther Steiner:

12:41 , Kieran Jackson

“This track is suiting better out car, we had an opportunity and we took it. Kevin did a fantastic job for P6, it’s just one of those things - it’s track dependent.”

Kevin Magnussen starts sixth, while Nico Hulkenberg starts in ninth.

We’re less than half-an-hour from lights out in Singapore!

12:37 , Kieran Jackson

Can Red Bull fight back?

12:28 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen starts 11th on the grid with Sergio Perez in 13th.

A reminder if you haven’t seen it - Lance Stroll ruled out of Singapore Grand Prix after huge crash in qualifying

12:22 , Kieran Jackson

Lance Stroll has been ruled out of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix following his staggering 110mph qualifying crash.

The Canadian driver lost control of his Aston Martin through the final left-hander at the Marina Bay Circuit before he slammed into the barrier.

The force of the high-speed impact sent Stroll’s head rocking from side-to-side. He catapulted back across the track and pirouetted to a standstill in the middle of the circuit.

The Aston Martin driver emerged from his wrecked vehicle unaided before being given the all-clear by the on-track medical team. But Aston Martin said the significant damage sustained to Stroll’s machine, in addition to the 24-year-old still being “sore” from the high-speed shunt, means he will be sidelined from the race.

Lance Stroll to sit out Singapore Grand Prix after huge crash in qualifying

Max Verstappen endures horrid qualifying as Carlos Sainz claims pole in Singapore

12:11 , Kieran Jackson

Qualifying report

Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix from a shock 11th place after Lance Stroll crashed out at 110mph and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took pole position.

On a wild night at the Marina Bay Circuit, both Red Bull drivers were eliminated in Q2 leaving the world champions facing an enormous task to retain their unbeaten record this season.

George Russell qualified second, missing out on pole by just 0.072 seconds with Charles Leclerc third for Ferrari, one place ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, half-a-second back.

Full report below:

Max Verstappen endures horrid qualifying as Carlos Sainz claims pole in Singapore

What is the starting grid?

11:59 , Kieran Jackson

1) Carlos Sainz

2) George Russell

3) Charles Leclerc

4) Lando Norris

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Kevin Magnussen

7) Fernando Alonso

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Nico Hulkenberg

10) Liam Lawson

11) Max Verstappen

12) Pierre Gasly

13) Sergio Perez

14) Alex Albon

15) Yuki Tsunoda

16) Valtteri Bottas

17) Oscar Piastri

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Zhou Guanyu

Lance Stroll, who qualified 20th, will not take part in Sunday’s race following his high-speed crash on Saturday

Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure in F1 – only winners stay in this sport’Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure in F1 – only winners stay in this sport’

11:43 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive by Kieran Jackson

There’s no place like home. For most of the Formula 1 grid, a return to familiar comforts at a much-loved circuit is something to behold, thrive and revel in. In fact, it’s only the Haas pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen and the Alfa Romeo team of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu who have not basked in such an experience in 2023.

But all eyes for Zhou – Formula 1’s first Chinese driver in its 73-year history – now point firmly towards 21 April 2024. The sport’s return to one of the world’s powerhouses has, four times, been put on hold due to the pandemic – both the world-altering event itself and the country’s controversial zero-covid policy in the aftermath. Yet next year will see the Shanghai International Circuit host once more; all that was left was for Zhou’s presence to be confirmed.

That came on Thursday morning. Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, the 24-year-old penned a one-year extension with Alfa Romeo to race with the Sauber-works team for a third-straight year. F1’s worldwide popularity boom has not diverted past China – and next spring we will see the full impact of Zhou’s spot on the grid.

“It’s the dream fulfilled – the first Chinese driver in F1, it’s a huge thing for a massive country like us,” Zhou tells The Independent.

Full interview below:

Zhou Guanyu interview: ‘There is a lot of pressure – only winners stay in F1’

Lewis Hamilton after qualifying fifth:

11:29 , Kieran Jackson

Driver Standings ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix:

11:16 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 364 points

2) Sergio Perez - 219 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 170 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 164 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 117 points

6) Charles Leclerc - 111 points

7) George Russell - 109 points

8) Lando Norris - 79 points

9) Lance Stroll - 47 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 37 points

11) Esteban Ocon - 36 points

12) Oscar Piastri - 34 points

13) Alex Albon - 21 points

14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points

15) Valtteri Bottas - 6 points

16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points

18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Liam Lawson - 0 points

21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points

‘I had a really good run’: Max Verstappen rules out win at Singapore Grand Prix

11:06 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen said he can forget about extending his record winning streak after qualifying only 11th for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

On a wild night under the 1600 bulbs that light up the Marina Bay Circuit, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also walked away from a staggering 110mph shunt, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz pipped the Mercedes of George Russell to land his second pole position in as many races. Charles Leclerc will start third ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

But it was the demise of Red Bull – the unbeaten tour de force of this most one-sided of seasons – that left those here in shock and awe. Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez also failed to reach Q3. He will line up in 13th for Sunday’s 62-lap race.

Full quotes below:

‘I had a really good run’: Max Verstappen rules out win at Singapore Grand Prix

What is the starting grid?

11:00 , Kieran Jackson

1) Carlos Sainz

2) George Russell

3) Charles Leclerc

4) Lando Norris

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Kevin Magnussen

7) Fernando Alonso

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Nico Hulkenberg

10) Liam Lawson

11) Max Verstappen

12) Pierre Gasly

13) Sergio Perez

14) Alex Albon

15) Yuki Tsunoda

16) Valtteri Bottas

17) Oscar Piastri

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Zhou Guanyu

Lance Stroll, who qualified 20th, will not take part in Sunday’s race following his high-speed crash on Saturday

Lance Stroll ruled out of Singapore Grand Prix after huge crash in qualifying

10:58 , Kieran Jackson

Lance Stroll has been ruled out of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix following his staggering 110mph qualifying crash.

The Canadian driver lost control of his Aston Martin through the final left-hander at the Marina Bay Circuit before he slammed into the barrier.

The force of the high-speed impact sent Stroll’s head rocking from side-to-side. He catapulted back across the track and pirouetted to a standstill in the middle of the circuit.

The Aston Martin driver emerged from his wrecked vehicle unaided before being given the all-clear by the on-track medical team.

Lance Stroll to sit out Singapore Grand Prix after huge crash in qualifying

F1 Singapore Grand Prix LIVE!

10:54 , Kieran Jackson

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Singapore Grand Prix!

It was quite the day on Saturday, with both Red Bulls failing to make it to Q3 as Carlos Sainz claimed pole position for Ferrari!

Stay right here for all the build-up and updates - lights out is at 1pm (BST).