Lewis Hamilton’s miracle win in Singapore GP puts the Brit 28 points clear in F1 title race after an explosive first-lap smash writes off rivals
LEWIS HAMILTON’s “miracle” victory in the Singapore Grand Prix opened up a whopping 28 point lead in the drivers’ championship.
The Brit, who was left down in the dumps on Saturday night after qualifying in fifth place, effectively wrote off his chances of getting a win here on his bogey circuit.
Lewis Hamilton has a huge lead in the F1 world championships after his against-the-odds triumph in the Singapore GPAFP or licensorsKimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari collides with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and the Ferrari of Sebastian VettelRex Features
Yet an explosive first lap smash involving Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikonen and Max Verstappen, saw him sneak into first place by the third corner.
The 32-year-old then negotiated tricky conditions, THREE safety car restarts, and a bizarre sticker on his front tyre, to cross the line ahead of Daniel Ricciardo.
Valtteri Bottas was third while Brit Jolyon Palmer, who was this week dumped by Renault for next season, finished sixth to earn his first points of the season.
It was a thrilling race with Vettel, Raikkonen and Verstappen all now hauled to a stewards’ investigation to examine who was at fault for the start.
But that will not concern Hamilton, who drove a faultless race for his seventh win of the season.
He said: “I want to congratulate my team, they did a fantastic job.
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Leiws Hamilton profited from an incredible first-lap accident to land another winGetty Images - GettyBrit Lewis Hamilton pulled off one of his most amazing triumphs and is strong favourite to regain the title he lost last yearReuters
“We struggled yesterday and we had no idea what would happen today. We were fortunate with what happened with the Ferraris at the beginning but I could not be happier.
“I capitalised on the incident. Who would know what would happen? Daniel put up a really good fight today. I hoped I would get to race Sebastian at the beginning. Of course it is better the way it is.”
Victory celebrations after Lewis Hamilton wins Singapore Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton is mobbed after grabbing a victory from fifth place on the gridAFP or licensorsLewis Hamilton took advantage of this first-lap drama to boost his title leadEPALewis Hamilton did his version of crowdsharing to celebrate victory in SingaporeRex Features
Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who was second, and Mercedes ace Valtteri BottasReutersLewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel pass Kimi Raikkonen after the Finn slides off during a first lap that shaped the Singapore GPAFP or licensorsEarly drama suddnely put Lewis Hamilton in with a chance he took superblyAP:Associated Press
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