Carlos Sainz emerged victorious at the challenging Marina Bay Circuit, clinching the top spot ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
This triumph was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marked the first time in the current season that Red Bull, who had claimed victory in the previous 15 consecutive races dating back to the previous season’s finale in Abu Dhabi, failed to secure a Grand Prix win.
The weekend in Singapore proved to be a tough challenge for the Red Bull team, with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez struggling, failing to progress beyond Q2 in qualifying.
Race day saw both Red Bull drivers manage to secure points, but they couldn’t mount a serious challenge for the race win. Mercedes, on the other hand, attempted to challenge Ferrari’s dominance by adopting an alternative tire strategy, but they couldn’t bridge the gap to Carlos Sainz in the final laps of the race.
One of the most dramatic moments of the race occurred on the last lap when George Russell, who was running in a solid third position, made contact with the wall, allowing Lewis Hamilton to seize the final podium spot.
Despite not securing the victory, Toto Wolff expressed optimism about the outcome. “It’s a breath of fresh air that we have a different winner, we have a podium without them [Red Bull], so you’ve got to take the small positives in a year of Red Bull dominance,” Wolff remarked.
The next race on the Formula 1 calendar is the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled to take place on September 24th, which will be the 17th race of the season. The Suzuka Circuit, which has been hosting the Japanese Grand Prix since 1987, has witnessed the crowning of 13 World Champions over the years.
This iconic track is beloved by many drivers for its challenging elements, including the famous ‘S’ Curves, the high-speed 130R corner, the tricky Degner Curve, and the renowned crossover. These features continue to make Suzuka a thrilling and demanding circuit that drivers look forward to conquering in the upcoming race.
Read More: Carlos Sainz claims victory in Singapore to end Red Bull’s winning streak (planetsport.com)