Singapore GP: Lewis Hamilton wins to take firm grip on F1 title

Hamilton controlled the 61-lap race from pole position to take the checkered flag ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with his title rival Sebastian Vettel back in third for Ferrari.

The podium positions matched the qualifying order, but Vettel, having moved smartly ahead of Verstappen into second place was left to rue what appeared to be a strategy error by his team as he lost back the place to the Dutchman during the pit stops to change tires.

It has left Hamilton with a 40-point advantage over Vettel with six rounds remaining of this year's title race after his seventh win of the campaign for Mercedes and his 69th overall in F1.

"I'm spent, that was a long race, felt like the longest race of my life," admitted a tired but delighted Hamilton.

Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas finished fourth ahead of the second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen and the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo, who rounded out the top six.

A first-lap crash involving Force India teammates Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez led to an early safety car after Hamilton had moved smartly away from top spot on the grid, with Vettel making a fine move to overtake Verstappen before the yellow flags came out.

The timing of pit stops proved crucial, with Vettel coming in first of the front runners on lap 15, surprisingly to change to ultra soft tires but then getting held up for too long behind the slower-running Perez.

Verstappen and Red Bull took full advantage as he emerged from the pit lane to edge ahead of the German as they went wheel-to- wheel into a corner.

"The team had a great strategy to get back into second," said Verstappen.

Vettel, having to nurse wearing tires in the closing stages, was never able to get in a strike at the two men ahead of him and ended a frustrated third.

"There's no chance of victory," he moaned over race radio. "These tires will not make it to the end."

Up front, Hamilton was able to secure a fourth victory in Singapore and his second in succession, continuing his fine run since the mid-summer F1 break.

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