F1 LIVE: Sergio Perez wins Singapore Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc fails to convert from pole again

Sergio Perez claimed his second victory of the Formula 1 season on Sunday, taking the lead from Charles Leclerc on the very first lap and holding on to win a dramatic Singapore Grand Prix in wet conditions.

The Red Bull driver avoided an investigation for a potential safety car infringement, but he would have needed a penalty of more than five seconds to deny him the win and hand Leclerc a reprieve after the Ferrari man failed to convert from pole position yet again. The race was delayed by more than an hour after heavy rain around the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore, and once the action finally began, it was Perez who was sharpest in overtaking Leclerc at once.

Meanwhile, the Mexican’s Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen needed a lot to go his way – including a win – to claim his second consecutive F1 title here, but the Dutch-Belgian struggled after starting eighth and ultimately finished seventh, having slid off the track at one point. Meanwhile, a first victory of the season continues to elude Lewis Hamilton, who started fourth but ended up ninth after hitting the barrier in a grand prix where numerous cars failed to finish.

Re-live all the action from an eventful race in Singapore.

F1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

• The race began in wet conditions at the Marina Bay circuit

• Charles Leclerc lost his lead at the start to Sergio Perez

• Lewis Hamilton hit the barrier before finishing ninth after starting fourth

• Max Verstappen slid off the track as he failed to secure a podium place

• Perez held off Leclerc to win but faces investigation for safety car infringement

• Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium for Ferrari

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: RACE REPORT

Sunday 2 October 2022 18:07 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen’s wait for a second world championship goes on after he spun and finished seventh as Sergio Perez won Sunday’s chaotic rain-hit Singapore Grand Prix. Red Bull’s Perez took the chequered flag ahead of Charles Leclerc with his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz completing the podium. Lando Norris finished fourth. Lewis Hamilton started third but finished a disappointing ninth after he hit the wall, while Verstappen dropped from fifth after a banzai move on Norris backfired.

Verstappen heads to next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix with a 104-point championship lead. He needs to leave Suzuka 112 points clear to take the title and the Dutchman will be crowned champion in Japan if he wins and sets the fastest lap.

Perez’s triumph is subject to an investigation following an alleged infringement behind the safety car. The Mexican took the chequered flag 7.5 seconds ahead of Leclerc.

The start of Sunday’s race under the thousand of bulbs that light up the Marina Bay Circuit was delayed by one hour and five minutes following a huge downpour. Perez made no mistake when the signal turned to green by beating Leclerc to the opening chicane in the damp conditions.

Hamilton dropped behind Sainz as they duelled at the first chicane, with the former forced to take to the escape road. “I got hit by Sainz,” said Hamilton. “He sent me wide.” Verstappen, who needed to win here to stand any chance of securing back-to-back titles with five rounds spare, started down the order in eighth after his Red Bull team under-fuelled his machine in qualifying, and dropped to 12th following a poor getaway.

The first safety car was sent out on lap eight when Nicholas Latifi banged wheels with Zhou Guanyu. Latifi moved across to defend his position but left Zhou with no room. The Chinese driver scraped the wall and broke his front right suspension.

At the restart, Verstappen, who had recovered to ninth, quickly dispatched of Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly to move up to seventh. That became sixth when Fernando Alonso broke down in his Alpine with an engine failure. Perez was keeping Leclerc at arm’s length, with Hamilton tucked up behind Sainz.

“I am just losing so much time behind this guy,” complained Hamilton. “He is really slow.” And on lap 33, Hamilton’s night fell apart when he carried too much speed into the seventh corner and whacked the wall. Hamilton slipped his Mercedes into reverse, falling behind Norris, but re-joining ahead of Verstappen.

However, Hamilton’s front wing was dangling off his Mercedes, with Verstappen saying it was dangerous.The seven-time world champion stopped the next time around for repairs but would emerge only in ninth.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lando Norris...

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:59 , Kieran Jackson

“By far the hardest race of my career. The level of concentration you need is incredible. It was very wet out there so great day for us.

“We got lucky to box under the VSC. I had a few chances to get close.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton...

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:56 , Kieran Jackson

“We started off with a decent weekend and just really unfortunate at the end. Difficult to overtake and that lock up to turn seven, when those things happen your heart sinks a bit. When you fail you get up and try again...

“It was a battle of who had got on the slicks first. It all went out the window when I locked up, oh god. Apologies to the team but we live and we learn...”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Max Verstappen...

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:48 , Kieran Jackson

“I need to analyse why the start happened. Lost a lot of spots - you then get stuck in a bit of a train. We were a bit lucky with a few mistakes, we were in fifth, tried to go to fourth, but got alongside Lando I braked and bottomed out. As soon as I braked, the front wheels jumped in the air. Had to box again because of the massive vibrations. You put yourself in a spot like that after yesterday, it was very frustrated.

“It was incredibly messy.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Christian Horner...

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:46 , Kieran Jackson

On Perez: “That’s his best win of his career, better in Monaco.

On potential safety car infringement: “Over the last 10 years, we can bring up a whole bunch of precedents for this. For us, really, it’s a non-issue.

On Max: “Yesterday was the big wound for today, hugely frustrating. He’s raced his heart out and those points are vital. He gave it everything but unfortunately it wasn’t his weekend.”

“This team is a phenomenal team, it’s the best team in the pit lane. We’re incredibly proud - this year could well be our best ever year in Formula 1. Five to go, everything to play for. Japan - first time back there in three years - there’ll be a lot of excitement, a great circuit.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Podium!

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:28 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez looks a proud man on top of the podium with the Mexican national anthem being played in Singapore!

All three drivers up there - Perez, Leclerc and Sainz - look absolutely shattered and are dripping with sweat, that was a hell of a race!

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Sergio Perez...

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:21 , Kieran Jackson

“It was certainly my best performance. I controlled the race - the last few laps were so intense. I pushed, gave everything for the win today.

“It’s nicer for Max to get it in Japan but it’s a fantastic day!”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:20 , Kieran Jackson

“The bad start put us on the back foot and we struggled after that. Had a bit of wheel spin.

“Difficult. Will have a good night’s sleep and get ready for Japan.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz...

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:19 , Kieran Jackson

“It was very tough out there, struggled with the wet, I had to settle for P3. Good race for the team but a shame we couldn’t get the win.

“It’s crazy how long it takes here to dry. The dry line never appears in some places - this track is pretty unique on that.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Sergio Perez wins the Singapore GP!

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:13 , Kieran Jackson

What a triumph for Sergio Perez - after winning in the streets in Monaco, he now wins around the streets of Singapore! His margin of victory is 7.4 seconds too, so he should be fine regardless of any penalty. The fireworks go off in the Singapore air!

Charles Leclerc comes home in second, with Carlos Sainz in third!

4-10: Norris, Ricciardo, Stroll, Verstappen, Vettel, Hamilton, Gasly

Verstappen did get past Vettel right at the end...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 2:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:10 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton goes for the move past Vettel, misses out, and Verstappen takes advantage to take eighth! Now the Red Bull is right on the Aston...

Barely any time left in the race now - victory beckons for Sergio Perez out in front. George Russell, by the way, has now recorded the fastest lap of the race...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 4:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:06 , Kieran Jackson

Fascinating battle between Vettel, Hamilton and Verstappen in seventh, eighth and ninth - bit of a DRS train emerging now. Can Vettel hold on for some precious points for Aston Martin?

Perez, out in front, has a four-second lead now. Just under 4 minutes to go now in this race...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 8:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 16:03 , Kieran Jackson

Perez now has a 2.9 second lead but is gently being told by his engineer to try and stretch his lead to five seconds, should he get a penalty. Incidentally, the safety car infringement was for Perez harrying the safety car, complaining that it was going too slowly.

Meanwhile, Verstappen’s pacy Red Bull is now right on the back of Lewis Hamilton, with DRS...

George Russell, down in last, pits for soft tyres. Presumably to try and claim the fastest lap of the race yet he wouldn’t even gain a point due to finishing out of the top-10 - yet it would take away the extra point currently with Perez!

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 12:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:59 , Kieran Jackson

Perez has done superbly here - he has held off Leclerc and now the gap is 1.5 seconds!

However, the Mexican will be investigated after the race for a “safety car infringement” - surely they can’t take the Grand Prix victory away from him?! Christian Horner is not impressed by it.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappepn is up to ninth after overtaking Pierre Gasly. Next up? Lewis Hamilton....

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 20:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:51 , Kieran Jackson

Tell you what, Charles Leclerc is agonisingly close to Sergio Perez at the front but even with DRS, he can’t make the move yet in his Ferrari.

Similarly, Lewis Hamilton also on the back of Sebastian Vettel but with no avail for an overtake.

Less than 20 minutes left of the Grand Prix now...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 27:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:44 , Kieran Jackson

DRS now enabled, with the whole pack on slicks - that should aid Charles Leclerc as he battles to get first place in this race! Perez is complaining about the engine too...

Lewis Hamilton is right on Sebastian Vettel in P8 too... around 27 minutes to go in this race! What on earth will happen next?!

1-10: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Ricciardo, Stroll, Vettel, Hamilton, Gasly, Bottas

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 31:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:40 , Kieran Jackson

What more can happen in this race?! George Russell now has a puncture after making contact with Mick Schumacher! He slows down massively, Verstappen passes him, and will surely have to pit...

At the front, Leclerc is right on Perez’s tail - the Ferrari is only 0.6 seconds behind the leading Red Bull.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: 33:00 left: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:37 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen goes for the move beyond Lando Norris - but he locks up and his car goes down the escape road! He’s now back down to P8, ahead of Lewis Hamilton..

“I completely bottled that,” he says over team radio. The Red Bull pits too... so he has gone from fifth, to eighth, to 14th (last!)

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 40/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:35 , Kieran Jackson

Safety car now in - and we’ve now switched from a 61-lap race to a timed race. There’s 35 minutes left here, with the clock counting down...

We’re back underway racing in Singapore. Can Sergio Perez guide his Red Bull to a win under the lights at Marina Bay?

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 38/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:30 , Kieran Jackson

Norris pits - quick stop for the McLaren and he drops to fourth behind Carlos Sainz...

Daniel Ricciardo also pits, for softs! The Australian and Valtteri Bottas are the only drivers on softs - everyone else now on medium tyres.

A truck is now removing Tsunoda’s stricken AlphaTauri... the pack bunches up.

1-10: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Stroll, Vettel, Hamilton, Gasly

Hamilton very aplogetic over radio for his mistake when he put his car in the wall - and he’s lost out big time as he drops down to P9.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 37/61: Perez, Leclerc, Norris

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:26 , Kieran Jackson

Yuki Tsunoda has crashed into the barrier here - it’s a full safety car!

Huge opportuntiy for those who haven’t yet pitted surely... likes of Lando Norris could benefit from this!

4-10 at the moment: Sainz, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Stroll, Vettel, Hamilton, Gasly

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 35/61: Perez, Sainz, Leclerc

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:24 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc now pits for slick tyres - he drops to third!

Lewis Hamilton also comes in... slow stop due to the front wing change! He loses out to Sebastian Vettel in the pit lane...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 34/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:21 , Kieran Jackson

Oh no - Lewis Hamilton is in the wall! No safety car - the Mercedes man keeps his car going and gets it back out on track... in-between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen!

So he drops down to fifth, Norris up to sixth, and now Verstappen has to get past both cars! Hamilton’s front-wing looks dodgy though... he may have to pit to fix that wing though!

Pierre Gasly pits for slick tyres.... when will the front of the pack switch rubber?!

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 31/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:16 , Kieran Jackson

VSC ends - did Max Verstappen overtake Lando Norris under yellow flag conditions there?! The Red Bull man had to slam on the brakes - and in the end loses out to Lando Norris’ McLaren when it goes to green flag conditions!

Lewis Hamilton was, similarly, harrying Carlos Sainz but can’t yet squeeze up into the podium places.

George Russell, by the way, is 53 seconds off the pace in 15th - last - place and he’s still struggling with those slick tyres....

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 29/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:09 , Kieran Jackson

Another virtual safety car here - Esteban Ocon has had an engine failure by the look of his smoky Alpine!

A double DNF for Alpine after Alonso’s retirement early too... they join Williams in having no cars in this race now.

Ocon’s car is just off track as the marshals look to move it...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 28/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:07 , Kieran Jackson

VSC ends as two marshals remove the front wing - but Alex Albon is out of the race unfortunately! He pits but there’s too much damage to his Williams...

Lewis Hamilton complaining about a “very slow” Carlos Sainz ahead - but he can’t pass him...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 27/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:04 , Kieran Jackson

Alex Albon has had a collision with the barriers - he’s managed to reverse his Williams and keep it going but he hasn’t got a front wing, he’ll be limping back to the pits.

VSC deployed - will anyone dive into the pits? Doesn’t look to be any movement in the pit lane...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 24/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 15:00 , Kieran Jackson

The safety car period comes to an end - Russell struggling massively with keeping control of his Mercedes on slick tyres. Verstappen, over his radio, calls it “brave.”

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is right on Carlos Sainz’s tail in the battle for third. However, Leclerc is 14 seconds ahead in second, and he is two seconds off Perez.

Verstappen still over a second behind Lando Norris in fifth...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 22/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:56 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso - in his 350th Grand Prix - has stopped out on track - he’s out of the race! Looks like he’s simply lost power - it’s a VSC.

Verstappen up to P6 - but none of the field at the front are pitting yet.

But George Russell does pit for medium tyres! Interesting - the Mercedes at the back of the pack had nothing to lose I suppose...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 17/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:46 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen is right on Alonso’s tail but the Spaniard - the wily old fox - is keeping the Red Bull at bay for the time being.

Lando Norris is told by his engineer to keep his inters last “longer than everyone else”. When the field pits for slicks will be fascinating - it’s drying slowly in the humidity of Singapore...

Perez and Leclerc now have a sizable gap to the pack - the Red Bull is eight seconds ahead of Sainz in third.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 13/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:38 , Kieran Jackson

Perez has extended his lead to one second ahead of Charles Leclerc - the Mexican looking assured here in the damp of Marina Bay!

Verstappen is now in seventh, taking Pierre Gasly’s position off the Anderson Bridge, and now Fernando Alonso - on his 350th race start - is next up the road.

Lewis Hamilton is within a second of Carlos Sainz too, though the Ferrari is over 3.5 seconds off Leclerc...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 11/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:34 , Kieran Jackson

The safety car comes in, with Zhou’s Alfa Romeo cleared from the track, and racing resumes in Singapore!

A fair distance between all the cars - but Max Verstappen is up into eighth after passing Sebastian Vettel. The Red Bull star is still right in contention here...

George Russell meanwhile, who staretd in the pit lane, is in P16 after a few questionable overtaking manoeuvres...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 10/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:27 , Kieran Jackson

Safety car here at the Marina Bay circuit! We’ve never had a Singapore Grand Prix without a safety car and that record continues...

Latifi pits due to his puncture - will anyone else dive into the pits? Actually, the Willams is retiring from the race - the damage clearly isn’t fixable.

Current top-10: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Norris, Alonso, Gasly, Vettel, Verstappen, Tsunoda

The pack bunches. Good news for Verstappen.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 9/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:25 , Kieran Jackson

Zhou Guanyu is out of his first Singapore Grand Prix - he’s unable to get his Alfa Romeo going and the Chinese rookie is already out of the car!

He hit the wall alongside Nicholas Latifi, with Zhou complaining that Latifi squeezed him into the wall.

Still a yellow flag - no sign of a VSC or safety car yet. Kevin Magnussen pits due to a problem with his car but he’s back out.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 7/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:24 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen is right on the tail of Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin but the Championship leader is very much struggling to get up into eighth - Vettel is close to Gasly in front too.

Meanwhile, Zhou Guanyu has stopped out on track at turn five - and Nicholas Latifi has a puncture! What will happen here?!

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 5/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:18 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is not happy about his tyre choice, saying over radio: “I told you about these tyres, in the future you need to listen to me.”

He’s on inters - but the seven-time world champion wanted to be on full wets. That was a late switch by the Mercedes engineers on the grid too!

He’s in fourth though, so far from out of it, and he’s only two seconds behind Carlos Sainz.

Leclerc is 0.9 seconds behind Perez but no DRS due to the wet conditions - he’s staying in touch with Perez.

Verstappen now up above Yuki Tsunoda into P9 but 21 seconds off the lead...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lap 3/61: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:15 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen, as we saw in Spa and Monza, already making progress as the field spreads - he’s up two places to P10.

Hamilton said at the start: “I got hit by Sainz.” No investigation necessary though.

Perez already a full second ahead of Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz, in third, is a full four seconds futher down the road.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lights out!

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:12 , Kieran Jackson

The race is underway and Sergio Perez oozes past Charles Leclerc and the Red Bull is into the lead! Lewis Hamilton drops a place to P4 as he goes off the track at turn one, with Carlos Sainz taking third.

Max Verstappen has dropped from P8 to P12 - a dreadful start for the Championship leader in Signapore!

4-10: Hamilton, Norris, Alonso, Gasly, Vettel, Tsunoda, Stroll

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Formation lap!

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:07 , Kieran Jackson

And we’re underway with the formation lap which will be crucial for the drivers to get acclimatised with the conditions in Singapore?

Can Lewis Hamilton, a four-time winner in Singapore, get in front early on from third on the grid? What sort of progress can Max Verstappen, from eighth, and George Russell from the pit lane, make in this race?

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Starting grid!

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:04 , Kieran Jackson

1. Charles Leclerc

2. Sergio Perez

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Carlos Sainz

5. Fernando Alonso

6. Lando Norris

7. Pierre Gasly

8. Max Verstappen

9. Kevin Magnussen

10. Yuki Tsunoda

11. Lance Stroll

12. Mick Schumacher

13. Sebastian Vettel

14. Guanyu Zhou

15. Valtteri Bottas

16. Daniel Ricciardo

17. Esteban Ocon

18. Alex Albon

19. Nicholas Latifi

Pit lane - George Russell

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Anticipation is building in Singapore!

Sunday 2 October 2022 14:03 , Kieran Jackson

The start has been delayed by heavy rain - an hour - but we’re about to get going at the Marina Bay circuit.

The race will bbe 61 laps or two hours long, whichever turns out to be fastest. Expect a few safety cars today though - one mistake and you’re in the wall here, but in wet conditions it’s even more perilous!

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Less than 10 minutes till the start here!

Sunday 2 October 2022 13:57 , Kieran Jackson

The track is drying out very quickly in Singapore - looks like the majority of the field are starting on inters and, as Norris said, we’ll move to slick tyres before the race concludes at the Marina Bay circuit.

The last time we had a wet start in Singapore, in 2017, both Ferraris crashed out along with Max Verstappen - who incidentally has never won here.

Toto Wolff tells Sky F1: “It’s so slippy, it’s like on ice, we’ll see. If the race is crazy, it may well end in a situation where George is on the front guys.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Lando Norris...

Sunday 2 October 2022 13:53 , Kieran Jackson

“I wouldn’t have minded a boring race, but it gives us an opportunity to get further forward.

“It’ll be exciting, difficult with visibility with the spray, but it will get to slick tyres.”

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: The cars are out on track!

Sunday 2 October 2022 13:32 , Kieran Jackson

The cars are now out on the Marina Bay street circuit as they make their way to the grid - a reminder that the formation lap is set for 2:05pm, at which point we’ll know what sort of start we’ll get in Singapore - whether it be behind the safety car, a rolling start or a standard standing start.

Here is the starting grid:

1. Charles Leclerc

2. Sergio Perez

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Carlos Sainz

5. Fernando Alonso

6. Lando Norris

7. Pierre Gasly

8. Max Verstappen

9. Kevin Magnussen

10. Yuki Tsunoda

11. Lance Stroll

12. Mick Schumacher

13. Sebastian Vettel

14. Guanyu Zhou

15. Valtteri Bottas

16. Daniel Ricciardo

17. Esteban Ocon

18. Alex Albon

19. Nicholas Latifi

Pit lane - George Russell

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Formation lap in an hour!

Sunday 2 October 2022 13:03 , Kieran Jackson

Confirmed start procedure timings:

- 1:05pm: Start procedure begins

- 1:25pm: Pit lane opens

- 2:05pm: Formation lap

The rain has stopped in Singapore and the teams are now out on the grid getting ready for the delayed start of the race.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: New start time to be revealed soon

Sunday 2 October 2022 12:54 , Alex Pattle

The rain seems to have stopped in Singapore, and a new start time for the grand prix should be announced by 1pm – the initially planned start time – at the earliest.

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Heavy rain in Singapore!

Sunday 2 October 2022 12:18 , Kieran Jackson

It’s absolutely pouring with rain in Singapore - looks like the race could have a delayed start due to the damp conditions this evening!

What impact will this have on the race though, especially with Max Verstappen starting down in eighth and George Russell right at the back of the pack after taking an engine penalty?

Confirmation now from the FIA that the whole start procedure has been delayed due to the downpour in Singapore...

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce F1 regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach

Sunday 2 October 2022 12:07 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has demanded Formula One’s governing body the FIA take robust action over reports Red Bull broke the rules when Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s world championship.

On the eve of the Singapore Grand Prix – a race which could see Verstappen secure his second title in as many seasons – his controversial maiden triumph is under the microscope amid allegations his Red Bull team overspent.

F1 introduced a budget cap of $145million (£114m) last year. But Verstappen’s Red Bull are facing accusations – reported in Auto Motor und Sport and Gazzetta Dello Sport – that they went beyond that figure, potentially by up to five per cent, which would equate to £7m.

The FIA are assessing Red Bull’s finances with a verdict set to be revealed on Wednesday. Sanctions available to the sporting federation range from financial penalties to a deduction of drivers’ championship points. The latter could have an impact on last season’s result. Hamilton was denied a record eighth crown when he was beaten by Verstappen at a deeply contentious winner-takes-all finale in Abu Dhabi on December 12. Verstappen took the title by eight points.

Speaking on Friday evening, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he was not aware of any breach. But rival boss Wolff urged the FIA, and its president Mohammed ben Sulayem – elected in the days after the Abu Dhabi fiasco – to follow the rules.

Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach

F1 live - Singapore Grand Prix: Christian Horner threatens legal action over ‘fictitious claims’ from Toto Wolff over budget cap

Sunday 2 October 2022 11:56 , Kieran Jackson

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused rival boss Toto Wolff of “hugely defamatory, fictitious claims” and threatened legal action against Mercedes amid the cheat row overshadowing this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

In a fiery, and tense press conference on Saturday, Horner insisted he is “absolutely confident” Red Bull did not overspend as Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s controversial championship.

Horner also suggested the accusations that Red Bull broke F1’s budget cap have been planted to take the spotlight away from Verstappen, who could claim his second title in as many seasons on Sunday.

On Friday, Wolff demanded Formula One’s governing FIA takes robust action if Red Bull have broken the rules. Ferrari have also complained publicly.

Responding, Horner said: “We were a little bit taken aback by the comments from our two rival teams.

“The submissions between the team and the FIA is confidential, and I have no idea what the outcome of our rivals’ submission is so I would be intrigued to know where their source of information for these fictitious claims has come from.

“They are hugely defamatory, and one can only assume that it is not a coincidence that this comes at a point where Max has his first strike at a world championship.

“We are here talking about cost caps rather than the phenomenal performance Max has had this year. It is an under-hand tactic employed to detract from perhaps a lack of performance on track from our rivals.”

Christian Horner threatens legal action over ‘fictitious claims’ from Toto Wolff

George Russell to start Singapore Grand Prix from pit lane after engine penalty

Sunday 2 October 2022 11:30 , Karl Matchett

More on that George Russell decision:

The Mercedes man will start Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix from the pit lane after exceeding his number of allocated engine parts.

Russell qualified 11th at the Marina Bay Circuit but he will be demoted to the back after Mercedes changed his power unit.

The British driver has enjoyed an impressive opening season as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate, finishing in the top five at every race he has completed.

Full details:

George Russell to start Singapore Grand Prix from pit lane after engine penalty

What Max Verstappen needs to clinch the Formula One world title this weekend

Sunday 2 October 2022 11:15 , Karl Matchett

Max Verstappen has his first chance this weekend to seal one of the most dominant Formula One world title wins of all time.

The Red Bull driver could wrap up the championship in Singapore on Sunday if he wins and his nearest rivals fail to pick up enough points to stay in touch.

Here, we look at exactly what is required and how it would compare to some of the sport’s greats.

What Max Verstappen needs to clinch the Formula One world title this weekend

Max Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached cost-cap rules

Sunday 2 October 2022 11:00 , Karl Matchett

On a weekend where Max Verstappen has his first opportunity to claim an inevitable second World Championship in the searing sauna of Singapore, perhaps it is time for his 2021 nemesis to join the winners’ circle in a year of otherwise unbridled frustration. What’s more, last year’s thrilling title race could take another twist yet.

To matters on-track first and while Lewis Hamilton had previously not topped a session – whether it be practice, qualifying or a Grand Prix – this year, he went fastest in first practice on Friday. He was also within range in fifth in FP2, later on, to give massive cause for optimism for Mercedes, around a Marina Bay circuit which the seven-time world champion described as “epic” on Thursday.

F1 is back in Singapore for the first time since 2019 – the start of an east Asia double-header which is followed by Japan’s return next week too – and with memories of his stupendous 2018 pole-sitting qualifying lap in his mind, Hamilton looked clean and assured on the 23-turn street circuit.

Verstappen, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Friday, was less than a tenth down on Hamilton in first practice but a front suspension issue later in the day meant he only went fourth-fastest in FP2, with Carlos Sainz leading the way in a Ferrari one-two, with Charles Leclerc two-tenths off.

Yet while all the focus will return to matters on-track come the weekend, speculation in the paddock on Friday concerned Red Bull and a potential breach of F1’s cost-cap measures which could, at its most severe, have an impact on Verstappen’s contentious maiden title last year.

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Verstappen’s coronation could be overshadowed if Red Bull have breached rules

Horner threatens legal action over ‘fictitious claims’ from Wolff on budget cap

Sunday 2 October 2022 10:50 , Karl Matchett

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused rival boss Toto Wolff of “hugely defamatory, fictitious claims” and threatened legal action against Mercedes amid the cheat row overshadowing this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

In a fiery, and tense press conference on Saturday, Horner insisted he is “absolutely confident” Red Bull did not overspend as Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s controversial championship.

Horner also suggested the accusations that Red Bull broke F1’s budget cap have been planted to take the spotlight away from Verstappen, who could claim his second title in as many seasons on Sunday.

Christian Horner threatens legal action over ‘fictitious claims’ from Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce F1 regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach

Sunday 2 October 2022 10:42 , Karl Matchett

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has demanded Formula One’s governing body the FIA take robust action over reports Red Bull broke the rules when Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s world championship.

On the eve of the Singapore Grand Prix – a race which could see Verstappen secure his second title in as many seasons – his controversial maiden triumph is under the microscope amid allegations his Red Bull team overspent.

F1 introduced a budget cap of $145million (£114m) last year. But Verstappen’s Red Bull are facing accusations – reported in Auto Motor und Sport and Gazzetta Dello Sport – that they went beyond that figure, potentially by up to five per cent, which would equate to £7m.

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Toto Wolff urges FIA to enforce regulations over reported Red Bull budget breach

George Russell latest update

Sunday 2 October 2022 10:25 , Karl Matchett

And another update - it’ll be a pit lane start, rather from the back.

F1 latest news: George Russell starts from the back in Singapore

Sunday 2 October 2022 10:19 , Karl Matchett

A change on the grid for Mercedes as Chris Medland reports that George Russell will take a new power unit - and he’s off to the back of the pack as a result.

Given he was down in 11th, he had little to use and now has his new engine for the year.

Lewis Hamilton escapes fine for wearing nose stud but Mercedes pay penalty

Sunday 2 October 2022 10:03 , Karl Matchett

Lewis Hamilton escaped a fine for wearing his nose stud in qualifying for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix – but Mercedes were charged 25,000 euros (£22,000) for wrongly declaring the British driver would adhere to Formula One’s jewellery ban.

F1’s governing body, the FIA, has enforced a clampdown on piercings this season, and following a number of medical exemptions, Hamilton, 37, removed his nose stud for the 10th round at Silverstone in July.

But Hamilton was seen wearing it in practice and qualifying here and was summoned to see the stewards.

Hamilton provided a doctor’s note, and explained he had been advised to wear the nose stud to stop an infection which came about when he removed it.

In the moments after he qualified third for Sunday’s round at the Marina Bay Circuit, the British driver said: “I am not trying to make a statement. I have had my jewellery and my nose stud for years.”

Lewis Hamilton escapes fine for wearing nose stud but Mercedes pay penalty

F1 grid today: Starting positions for Singapore Grand Prix

Sunday 2 October 2022 09:45 , Karl Matchett

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc took pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix with a fuming Max Verstappen only eighth.

In drying conditions Verstappen, who has his first shot of securing back-to-back titles, appeared to be on course to take pole with his final throw of the dice.

But the Red Bull driver was under instruction from his team to abort his final lap due to a fuel issue, and he will start Sunday’s race way down the order. Sergio Perez took second in the other Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton third - less than a tenth of a second off pole.

Verstappen, who has a 116-point lead, will be crowned champion in Singapore if he wins and sets the fastest lap, and team-mate Perez and Ferrari’s Leclerc finish lower than fourth and eighth respectively.

What is the starting grid?

1. Charles Leclerc

2. Sergio Perez

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Carlos Sainz

5. Fernando Alonso

6. Lando Norris

7. Pierre Gasly

8. Max Verstappen

9. Kevin Magnussen

10. Yuki Tsunoda

11. George Russell

12. Lance Stroll

13. Mick Schumacher

14. Sebastian Vettel

15. Guanyu Zhou

16. Valtteri Bottas

17. Daniel Ricciardo

18. Esteban Ocon

19. Alex Albon

20. Nicholas Latifi

Max Verstappen furious with ‘incredibly frustrating’ fuel blunder in Singapore

Sunday 2 October 2022 09:30 , Karl Matchett

Max Verstappen said it is unacceptable that a fuel blunder has harmed his chances of taking the world championship at Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Against the backdrop of accusations that Red Bull has broken Formula One’s salary cap – claims, if proven correct, that will bring into question the legitimacy of Verstappen’s title triumph over Lewis Hamilton 10 months ago – the Dutch driver qualified only eighth.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took pole position ahead of Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez. Hamilton finished third, missing out on his first pole of the season by just 0.054 seconds in some thrilling wet-dry qualifying at the Marina Bay Circuit.

Verstappen appeared on course to topple Leclerc with his final throw of the dice, only to be told to abort his lap by Red Bull because he would have been short of the required one litre of fuel.

Verstappen, in the dark over Red Bull’s costly error, turned the airwaves blue.

Max Verstappen furious with ‘incredibly frustrating’ fuel blunder in Singapore

F1: Is Singapore Grand Prix on TV today

Sunday 2 October 2022 09:09 , Karl Matchett

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc took pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix with a fuming Max Verstappen only eighth.

In drying conditions Verstappen, who has his first shot of securing back-to-back titles, appeared to be on course to take pole with his final throw of the dice.

But the Red Bull driver was under instruction from his team to abort his final lap due to a fuel issue, and he will start Sunday’s race way down the order. Sergio Perez took second in the other Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton third - less than a tenth of a second off pole.

Verstappen, who has a 116-point lead, will be crowned champion in Singapore if he wins and sets the fastest lap, and team-mate Perez and Ferrari’s Leclerc finish lower than fourth and eighth respectively.

Here is everything you need to know.

F1: Is Singapore Grand Prix on TV today