Lewis Hamilton led from start to finish to win the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. It was the Briton’s second win of the season and the eleventh of his career.
Toyota’s Timo Glock secured his highest placing this season coming in second with Renault’s Fernando Alonso coming home in third. CNN International
Hamilton’s only headache came early in the race when his KERS power-boost system failed, but after a few laps without it, the problem was soon rectified.
“The race as pretty straightforward for me,” the 2008 Formula One champion said. “I was never really under serious pressure. When Vettel was behind me I knew I was five laps longer (fueled) and I just had to keep him behind.”
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel finished fourth after ruining his race with a pit lane speeding penalty. Button, who had qualified in 12th, was fifth, one place ahead of teammate and championship rival Rubens Barrichello. Button leads Barrichello by 15 points with three races to go.
“There was a recovery for us, it looked pretty grim yesterday afternoon (after qualifying),” Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn said.
“Our main competitors have not made progress today.” The Associated Press
Vettel expressed mystification at his drive-through penalty, he said he was “very surprised” to be called back through the pit lane.
Formula 1: Singapore Grand Prix - Race Results
“I wasn’t in a rush and can’t really explain why I got caught - it was maybe an electronics issue,” he suggested.
“With that penalty and the damage to my car by the end - it was falling apart! - fourth place was the best we could do.”
Thunder storms threatened the Marina Bay circuit as the season’s 14th grand prix began, but the weather remained dry, sparing drivers an introduction to night racing in the wet.
“It was a very, very tough race, I think I can speak for all of us,” Hamilton said.
“Conditions made it very tough but it was pretty straightforward for me.
“I knew I was longer than the guys around me so all I had to do was keep Vettel behind me. I felt I drove quite a nicely-controlled race.”
Hamilton’s team-mate Kovalainen, who spent a large portion of his race trying to contain Button, came home seventh, with BMW’s Robert Kubica eighth. BBC Sport
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