Sainz Claims Victory in F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Halts Verstappen's Winning Run
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz clinched a thrilling victory at the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday at the Marina Bay Circuit, marking his second career win, a moment that may be remembered for years to come. This triumph also brought an end to Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen's unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive wins, although the reigning champion remains on course to secure his third consecutive title.
Sainz shared the podium with McLaren's Lando Norris and Mercedes-Benz AMG's Lewis Hamilton, finishing just 0.8 and 1.2 seconds respectively behind the triumphant Sainz. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc secured the fourth position, with Verstappen completing the top five.
The race, which served as the 16th round of the 2023 season, commenced with Sainz starting from pole position and Mercedes' George Russell alongside him at the front of the grid. Sainz made an exceptional start, while Leclerc, starting from the second row, capitalized on his soft tires to surge ahead of Russell early on, securing the top two positions for Ferrari.
The race continued smoothly until lap 20 when Williams' Logan Sargeant crashed into a barrier, triggering a safety car period. Both Ferrari drivers made pit stops, but Sainz managed to retain his lead, whereas Leclerc fell to sixth place after encountering delays in the pit lane. Sainz faced relentless pressure from Russell over the subsequent laps.
Numerous other exciting battles unfolded, including a showdown between Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso. The race took another twist on lap 44 when Alpine's Esteban Ocon came to a halt on the track, prompting a virtual safety car period.
Sainz maintained his lead during this phase, with Norris and Leclerc in pursuit. However, Leclerc eventually surrendered third place to Russell. In a brilliant strategic move towards the end, Russell and Hamilton closed in on Norris and Sainz. Sainz, recognizing the threat from the Mercedes duo, allowed his McLaren rival to enter the DRS (Drag Reduction System) range, making it challenging for the Mercedes pair to overtake him. In the final lap, Russell pushed a bit too hard and brushed against a wall, resulting in a crash and gifting third place to Hamilton.
A notable mention goes to AlphaTauri's Liam Lawson. The rookie driver, filling in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, secured his first career points with a ninth-place finish.
Following the weekend's events, Verstappen continues to lead the 2023 Drivers' Championship with 374 points. Perez is in second place with 223 points, while Hamilton holds third place with 180 points. In the Constructors' Championship, Red Bull maintains its lead with 597 points, Mercedes is in second place with 289 points, and Ferrari sits in third place with 265 points. The upcoming race on the calendar is the Japanese Grand Prix scheduled for the coming weekend.
>>> Read more: Revealing Fresh Leadership At Mercedes F1 Team For The Japanese Grand Prix
Nhận xét
Đăng nhận xét