Lewis Hamilton won the Singapore Grand Prix with consummate professionalism and ease at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday, as he edged ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the top of the World Championship standings-per Sky Sports F1:
BREAKING NEWS: @LewisHamilton wins the #SingaporeGP & takes the lead in the Drivers' Championship. http://ift.tt/XTHw7r
- Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 21, 2014
Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo joined Hamilton on the podium, but the day belonged to the Englishman.
It was both Mercedes' brilliance and their incompetence that saw Hamilton claim his victory, though, with car faults costing Rosberg dearly, and Hamilton's added power over his race rivals seeing him over the line.
The German was forced to start in the pit lane due to faulty electronics, and his race was over just a few laps later as the problems went unresolved-as Sky Sports F1 revealed:
BREAKING NEWS: @nico_rosberg retires! The World Championship leader is out of the #SingaporeGP. #SkyF1 http://ift.tt/1AZhIn1
- Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 21, 2014
That left Hamilton to romp to an unrivalled victory, and he did so in style. Here's a look at the final race standings after a dramatic day in Singapore:
Sky Sports
The ongoing battle between Hamilton and Rosberg has been the story of the 2014 F1 season so far, and seeing his teammate's car fail seemed to give the Englishman added impetus to claim the victory.
Having claimed pole, the Englishman flew out of the traps in Singapore, establishing a healthy lead after the opening few laps that only grew with every impressive turn.
Aaron Favila/Associated Press
Vettel and Ricciardo did everything in their power to catch the Englishman, but his equipment advantage meant that the Red Bull pair were fighting a losing battle.
Sergio Perez and Adrian Sutil's crash delayed Hamilton's progress momentarily, but once the race restarted, the 29-year-old resumed normal service.
However, new tyres were needed for Hamilton late in the race. After opening up a gap of over 25 seconds, his pit stop did little to impact the outcome of the race.
As Sky Sports F1 revealed, Hamilton came back into the race just behind Vettel with seven laps to go, but the new tyres were enough to see him round the German:
.@LewisHamilton pits! He returns in second place just ahead of Daniel Ricciardo & behind Vettel. The chase is on! http://ift.tt/1qXcbNy
- Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 21, 2014
He was all over the back of Vettel, and the Red Bull driver could do nothing about the move that saw him re-establish his lead, as Mercedes AMG F1 reported:
What a move from @LewisHamilton! HE'S BACK IN THE LEAD OF THE #SINGAPOREGP!!! #F1
- MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) September 21, 2014
From then on, the result was elementary.
While the podium-topping feeling will have the Englishman elated, it's the damage that the Singapore Grand Prix did to the World Championship standings that counts, as he now leads Rosberg by three points with just five races remaining.
He deserves as much, as well, as the Singapore Grand Prix simply summed up how superb he's been all season. It was a particularly stunning driveand F1 Racing on NBC was one of many singing his praises after the chequered flag:
As the national anthems ring out, Lewis Hamilton stands in awe of his achievement. What a superb victory under the lights #F1onNBC
- F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) September 21, 2014
Had Rosberg's car been in perfect shape, it may well have been a different story in Singapore, but take nothing away from Hamilton, who was phenomenal from start to finish.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images
The German was simply out of luck, and he reflected on a 'tough day' with Sky Sports F1 after his retirement:
It was a horrible feeling to see everyone go because then I knew it was over. Then the whole steering wheel wasn't working so I had no hybrid power and my shifting was shifting two gears at a time and I had no DRS so the car just wasn't working at all. And then there was just no point in continuing. So a tough day really.
Wong Maye-E/Associated Press
Where Rosberg's car failed, Hamilton's prevailed, though, swinging the World Championship pendulum his way.
The Japanese Grand Prix is next up for Hamilton, where he'll look to extend his new lead at the top of the World Championship standings and edge closer to the crown that his driving deserves.
Should the Englishman produce a similarly breathtaking drive in Suzuka City, though, grabbing the World Championship with both hands is almost an inevitability.
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