It was ten victories in a row for superior WC leader Max Verstappen. But in Singapore it stopped for the Red Bull driver.
After a weak week where he missed the qualifying final, Verstappen first started in seventh place. The Dutchman was never close to threatening victory and finished fifth.
Nor did team mate Sergio Pérez, who won last year’s GP, go any further. The Mexican finished eighth.
Instead, it was Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who took pole position. From his leading position, the Spaniard headed for a seemingly certain victory.
But technical problems for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon gave Mercedes the opportunity to take a chance with a late tire change.
With fresh tyres, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton closed in on both Sainz and second-placed Lando Norris (McLaren) as the race drew to a close.
Despite that, both Sainz and Norris managed to hold off and finished first and second respectively.
George Russell looked set to take the final podium but crashed on the last lap. Teammate Lewis Hamilton took care of third place instead.
The Singapore grand prix was the first of the season’s 15 races not won by a Red Bull driver.