Sebastian Vettel won the Singapore Grand Prix, further extending his lead in the 2013 Formula One World Championship.
The Red Bull driver beat second placed Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) by 32 seconds, with Kimi Raikkonen taking third position for Lotus in the 61-lap race.
Vettel qualified on pole position for the start of the race, followed by Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Romain Grosjean (Lotus). His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber qualified in fourth position.
After a clean start to the race, Rosberg challenged Vettel into the first corner, causing the reigning world champion to briefly lose the lead. Rosberg, though, immediately ran wide, putting Vettel back in to a lead he was never to lose. Alonso enjoyed a flying start to move from seventh to third position.
As the race entered its middle stages most teams suffered with excessive tyre degradation, and many were forced to reconsider their original two-stop strategies.
Daniel Ricciardo (Torro Rosso) retired from the race after putting his car into the barriers on lap 25, causing a safety car period. He was followed by another retirement from Paul Di Resta (Force India), who crashed into the barriers at turn seven on lap 55.
McLaren's Jenson Button suffered from a number of tyre problems during the race, falling from third position to seventh within a matter of laps towards the end, having previously worked his way through the field with some canny tyre and safety car tactics.
Webber suffered a repeat of the enigne and gearbox problems he endured at Monza, and was told by Red Bull to short shift his gearchanges. During the final laps a radio message from Red Bull was heard to say "this is about getting the car to the finish, now".
His situation continued to worsen, however, and following a car fire on the final lap he was unable to finish the race.
Speaking on the podium Vettel said: "We had some very good pace. The car was a very good asset to the team, it was a pleasure to drive it around this track."
The next race in the Formula One calendar is due to take place in Korea on 6 October.
Results (provisional)
Singapore Grand Prix, 22 September 2013
1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
4. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
6. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
Join the debate
Add your comment
Flawed 1
F1, in fact all motor racing that involves qualifying can never be a fair contest right from the moment the lights go out. Its no wonder Vettel lead from the start, he was 200yds down the road before some of the lower teams even crossed the line. It's no wonder they can't score any f*ckin points.
I ask you, what other sport spends a good hour the day before, finding out who is the fastest or best and then give them a head start over everybody else?
Do Man Utd get given a one goal lead before every premiership game? Does Hussein Bolt get given a five yard lead over everybody else before the gun goes? Does Federer get two free games in the bag before the first set begins?
No, all teams start with a clean sheet, and all athletes' and race horses etc start from the same bloody place.
Yes, I know there isn't room on the grid, but the only way you're going to make F1 a lot fairer and more interesting is to have each car start from it's own time-line on the grid, and that way we can do away with qualifying altogether. Should make things very interesting.
stupid argument
so you saying if the Marussias started level on the track with Red Bull they would have more of a chance? Eh? They cant score points because they arent fast enough. Just like whoever gets promoted to the premiership cant compete with Man Utd. If a team is competitive it can win from the back re Suzuka 2005, this weekend Raikonen when from the back half of the grid to 3rd, Webber went 18th to 3rd in China in 2011. Over a grand prix distance the start position doesnt hold a competetive enough package back, except for Monaco
boos against Vettel.
the booing is stupid, pointless, boring, and more unfair and unsporting than Vettel has ever been.
Why do they boo?
Multi 21? Apparantly F1 drivers are boring cos they follow the corporate line. Team orders make for boring races. So why boo a driver who sticks his neck out, who wants to win a wont be told to follow a slower team mate home. As a fan, I think Vettel brought that GP to life, 3 of the most excing laps of the year when thay fought wheel to wheel.
Red Bull favour Vettel? Not suprised, he is winning everthing for them. And besides, the race team dont, although the Austrian parent drink manufacture generally do.
Domination? Then boo Merc. McLaren and Ferrai for failing to make a fight out of it, applaud Vettel and Red Bull for doing such an impressive job. How he stretched his lead post safety car was pure class.
Vettel booed again
The booing towards Vettel, which happened again yesterday, seems to be making waves and Christian Horner has now jumped to his defence. Many are saying that the booing is a result of his dominance, but I'm not so sure. We've had other drivers dominate F1 over the years, and to the same extent as Vettel, but they've never received as much hostility. I suspect it may be down the fact that Vettel is not a team player, is unsportsmanlike, is critical of his team-mate and shows little respect to anyone else. Plus being clearly favoured by his team and Red Bull's owner is a contributory factor too.