MOTORSPORT: Perez claims drama-packed Singapore GP

Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez claimed his second race win of the 2022 Formula 1 season with victory in the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday night, backing up his success from the streets of Monaco earlier this season as wild conditions dominated the storylines from the return to the street circuit night race.

With the action significantly delayed due to a deluge, Perez’s victory wasn’t entirely straightforward – the win ultimately came into question thanks to a post-race investigation for not staying within 10 car lengths of the safety car late in the running.

Ultimately, despite a 5sec penalty, the Mexican retained his fourth career win.

“My best performance,” said Perez.

“I controlled the race, although the warm-up was very difficult.

“The last few laps was so intense, I didn’t feel it that much in the car but when I got out of it, I felt it.

“You know, I pushed, I gave everything for the win today.”

When the race eventually started, polesitter Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was jumped by Perez on the run into the first corner, while Max Verstappen (Red Bull) lost four positions from his already lowly eighth starting position.

The opening exchanges had barely calmed down when the Alfa Romeo of Zhou Guanyu and outgoing Williams driver Nicholas Latifi came together, with a full safety car period called.

For his efforts, Latifi will serve a five-place grid penalty at the next event.

The race restarted on the 11th circuit, with Verstappen breezing into seventh position, while Fernando Alonso retired his Alpine shortly afterwards from his 350th Grand Prix.

The virtual safety car was then called upon on the 26th circuit when the second Williams of Alex Albon bumped the barriers, while the second Alpine retired with Esteban Ocon stopped on track, creating another VSC.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes meanwhile went straight into the wall on lap 33, and following a front wing swap, he was able to continue on in the race, as teams started to fit slick tyres.

Another safety car period was called upon when Yuki Tsunoda crashed his AlphaTauri on the 36th circuit, necessitating further barrier repairs.

Following the subsequent restart, Verstappen locked up and toured an escape road before pitting to replace his flat-spotted tyres, at the same time as George Russell (Mercedes) received a flat tyre after contact with the Haas of Mick Schumacher.

For a period, two distinct battles developed at the head of the field, with Leclerc closing in on Perez for the lead, while Lando Norris (McLaren) challenged Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) for third.

Perez eventually pulled out a 7.595sec win over Leclerc, followed by Sainz, Norris and Daniel Ricciardo with a return to the points in his McLaren.

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Verstappen, who made a last-lap move stick on Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), Hamilton and Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) rounded out the top 10.

The Formula 1 season continues next weekend with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

2022 Singapore Grand Prix results:

2022 Formula 1 championship standings:

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