Carlos Sainz Ends Red Bull's Domination in F1 This Season

Carlos Sainz won a sensational victory at the Singapore Grand Prix (photo: f1.com)

JAKARTA-  In a thrilling race under the lights of Marina Bay, Carlos Sainz achieved a sensational victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, Sunday, September 17 evening.

The Ferrari driver managed to overcome stiff competition from Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who crashed on the final lap, to achieve his second career win. This achievement also made it the first victory for an F1 team this season that was not owned by Red Bull.

Party time 🥳#SingaporeGP @Carlossainz55 pic.twitter.com/Iy5rPk4EP6

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 17, 2023

Sainz Appears Strong and Defensive

Starting the race from pole position, Carlos Sainz managed to take the lead at the start of the race. However, Charles Leclerc, who opted for soft tyres, made a strategic move to leapfrog Russell and take second place.

Sainz managed to get through the Safety Car period caused by Logan Sargeant's accident, and was able to maintain his leading position as the race became more exciting.

As the drama unfolded, Esteban Ocon, who was in sixth place, stopped on the track due to suspected gearbox problems. Mercedes utilized the Virtual Safety Car to get its drivers into the pits to change to medium tires, which ultimately set the stage for an adrenaline-pumping finish.

A Thrilling End to the Race

Although Russell and Hamilton got past Leclerc, they couldn't catch Sainz and Norris. In a surprising twist, Sainz even gave former McLaren teammate Norris a DRS assist in the final laps, which helped him to avoid the Mercedes duo and secure a podium finish.

However, Russell's hopes of finishing on the podium were dashed on the final lap when he collided with Norris while trying to take second place. This crash allowed Norris to maintain second place, while Hamilton finished in third place.

Leclerc managed to fend off Max Verstappen's rapid attack to finish fourth, while Pierre Gasly put in an impressive performance to finish sixth for Alpine. McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished seventh, although Sergio Perez faces an investigation into his collision with Alex Albon.

DRIVER STANDINGS (with seven rounds to go)

Hamilton leapfrogs Alonso up to third 📈#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/GpaC1u6jQC

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 17, 2023

Dramatic Moments

Meanwhile, Liam Lawson picked up his first F1 points for AlphaTauri in ninth, followed by Kevin Magnussen's Haas in tenth. Alex Albon finished 11th for Williams, ahead of Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu and another Haas driver, Nico Hulkenberg.

Several drivers faced various challenges, including Fernando Alonso, who had to deal with a five-second penalty, a slow pit stop and an exit on the track, finishing last among the surviving drivers. Russell's crash on the last lap, along with Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon, meant they failed to finish the race.

Our top 10 drivers in Singapore 🇸🇬#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/GkMTWbNxiu

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 17, 2023

An Unforgettable Night

The 2023 Singapore Grand Prix provided unforgettable moments, showcasing Carlos Sainz's determination and skill as he claimed victory under the dazzling lights of Marina Bay.

This race marked a turning point in the season, where Ferrari managed to end Red Bull's dominance at the top. Formula 1 fans can't wait to see what the next races will bring in this highly competitive season.

Singapore GP Race Results

1. Carlos SAINZ Ferrari 1:46:37.418 (25 points)

2. Lando NORRIS McLaren +0.812s (18 points)

3. Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes +1,269s (16 points)

4. Charles LECLERC Ferrari +21.177s (12 pounds)

5. Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing +21.441s (10 points)