Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Singapore GP

Sebastian Vettel toyed with his peers on the way to a 32 second victory in tonight’s Singapore Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver was challenged off the line by Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and lost the lead for a few seconds. After that, though, Vettel totally outclassed the rest of the field.

The demanding streets of Marina Bay often serve up a Safety Car or two and such intervention was desperately needed to brig Sebastian back to the pack. Inevitably the Safety Car was out but it was of no consequence to Vettel. From the restart he quickly re-established his lead and cruised to victory.

Perhaps the stories of the day were found in the minor podium positions. As is customary and indeed expected Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) shot off the line from P7 and found himself in P3 once the field settled down. Quickly in to take advantage of the Safety Car on Lap 25 Alonso was able to make his tyres last until the end of the race and with that he earned a secure second place.

Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) followed Alonso’s strategy and overcame his troublesome back to fight his way to P3 from all the way down in P13. A great drive from the 33-year-old Finn.

The Aussies had a forgettable day. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) was the man responsible for the Safety Car after he locked up and sent himself into the wall.

The lengthy Safety Car period did throw pit stop strategies all over the place and while many drivers came in for new tyres, Webber, Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) all stayed out on track. When the trio inevitably came in for fresh tyres they had some work to do, but fresh rubber on which to do it.

Webber had his eyes set on P3 and managed to work his way from eighth into fourth and he looked to have the speed to challenge Raikkonen. Alas, as soon as Mark found his way to P4 he was getting messages from his team to short shift. It wasn’t long before he saw the two Mercedes AMGs sail past, and then Felipe Massa (Ferrari) as well. Webber crossed the line to start the final lap, his car sounding terribly off note and it was no surprise to see his engine let go before he could complete the lap.

Once again Webber had to suffer the frustration of a mechanical failure while his teammate racked up yet another grand prix win, the 32nd of Vettel’s career. The young German’s dominance since the mid-season break has made a fourth world title look increasingly likely.

2013 Singapore Grand Prix final placings

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 61 Laps (25 pts)
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – +32.6 secs (18 pts)
3. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – +43.9 secs (15 pts)
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – +51.1 secs (12 pts)
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – +53.1 secs (10 pts)
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari – +63.8 secs (8 pts)
7. Jenson Button McLaren – +83.3 secs (6 pts)
8. Sergio Perez McLaren – +83.8 secs (4 pts)
9. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – +84.2 secs (2 pts)
10. Adrian Sutil Force India – +84.6 secs (1 pt)
11. Pastor Maldonado Williams – +88.4 secs
12. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber – +97.8 secs
13. Valtteri Bottas Williams – + secs
14. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso – + secs 12
15. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – +1 Lap
16. Giedo van der Garde Caterham – +1 Lap
17. Max Chilton Marussia – +1 Lap
18. Jules Bianchi Marussia – +1 Lap
19. Charles Pic Caterham – +1 Lap
20. Paul di Resta Force India – +7 Laps

Retired/Not classified
Romain Grosjean Lotus – +24 Laps
Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso – +38 Laps

Fastest Lap
Sebastian Vettel Red Bull – 1:48.574 (Lap 46)

2013 F1 world championship – Drivers (top 10)

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 247
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – 187
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – 151
4. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – 149
5. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – 130
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – 116
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari – 87
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus – 57
9. Jenson Button McLaren – 54
10. Paul di Resta Force India – 36

2013 F1 world championship – Constructors

1. Red Bull Racing-Renault – 377
2. Ferrari – 274
3. Mercedes – 267
4. Lotus-Renault – 206
5. McLaren-Mercedes – 76
6. Force India-Mercedes – 62
7. STR-Ferrari – 31
8. Sauber-Ferrari – 19
9. Williams-Renault – 1