• Singapore GP Classification and times

The first double in more than two years will bring as much joy as debate to Ferrari. The victory of Sebastian Vettel, which no engineer had collected in his calculations, was also the disenchantment of Charles Leclerc, who did not even respond by radio to the congratulatory message of his boss, Mattia Binotto. The new leader of the Scuderia felt cheated by his own people, who had swiped a third consecutive victory with an unforeseen undercut . Max Verstappen closed the podium ahead of the Mercedes, while Carlos Sainz, with extraordinary courage, took his McLaren from the bottom of the table to the twelfth place.

From the Hungarian GP of 2017, with the last full red, to the Belgian GP 2018, date of the most recent success of Vettel. Everything is very far lately in Ferrari, although since the return vacation, nobody dares to discuss his role as a great animator of the final stretch of the championship. Of these three consecutive conquests, none as unexpected as that of Singapore. For the bottom and the way.

Lewis Hamilton, fourth at the finish line, could do nothing in a race dominated by conjecture and prudence. In a few weeks he will close his sixth world championship, but not even with that car and with those hands you can work miracles in the streets of the Asian island. Mercedes wanted to keep the tires and launch its usual final offensive. Ferrari, with its peculiarities, denied it.

Russell and the embarrassment

The computers, pending every detail in the management of the tires, left throughout the night many situations not for unusual less flushing. Head cars rolling, on average, seven seconds slower than Friday simulations. Perhaps the most embarrassing of all was in the tenth lap, with George Russell, penultimate ranked with the Williams, circulating almost six tenths faster than the leader Leclerc.

The forecasts included a show, to call it somehow, almost two hours long. A test for the patience of the fans, also amazed by the quick laps of Daniil Kvyat, from the eighteenth position (1: 47.419) or Sergio Pérez, from the seventeenth (1: 46.683). After half an hour, the favorites changed the pace and some could even wake up.

On laps 20 and 21, with Vettel's stop just before the leader, Ferrari's forecasts turned upside down. Leclerc was urged to accelerate to the fullest at Hamilton's threat, but he didn't understand anything: "What the hell is going on here?" With the wheels to the limit, the World Cup leader could only clench his teeth. Lance Stroll's Racing Point clogged the Ferrari, although it wouldn't be enough.

Giovinazzi, to the aid

About to complete the Ecuadorian Grand Prix, Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) led ahead of Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) and Daniel Ricciardo (Renault), given that none had entered to change their shoes. And there was no need to belittle the privileged position of the Italian, who worked thoroughly as a faithful footman of the Scuderia . His tremendous disturbance with Verstappen contrasted with the facilities offered to the Ferrari.

For the second time, the race had become a boring parade, not forgetting the recognition of Carlos Sainz's colossal effort. After the touch with Nico Hulkenberg shortly after the traffic light went out, the Madrid player had to row in an ocean of despair. With a lost lap and the damaged McLaren, he still had arrests to complete the 61 laps, near the points. Lando Norris, also beyond reproach, finished in seventh position.

Ahead, with Verstappen without options to challenge Lelcerc, the main incentive was not purely sporty. Sounds ugly to say, although many crossed their fingers so that any friction against the walls triggered the always unpredictable safey cars . On lap 36, after an absurd pulse with Romain Grosjean, Russell crashed his Williams in turn 8.

"We'll talk later."

Panic at a prominent plague of dangers planted the wall of Ferrari with nerves. So Laurent Mekies, sports director, had to grab the microphone to reassure Leclerc: "Bow your head and concentrate." "I don't understand this 'undercut'. We'll talk about it after the race," Charles replied. The message to Vettel was more concise: "Don't take any risk."

It was not necessary to regret any misfortune in the first acceleration, nor in the second, as a result of a breakdown of Sergio Pérez. The Racing Point had to be removed on the straight line before turn 14, so Michel Masi, race director, ordered the second safety car . Mercedes were carried by demons with each of these slowdowns. At a lower speed, leaders could keep their tires better, seven laps older than Hamilton's. The last protection for the people of Maranello came with the accident between Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso). Nothing would change anymore.

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