Carlos Sainz Delivers Standout Singapore Win as Ferrari Dims Red Bull Supremacy

Singapore Grand Prix Showdown Ends Red Bull Dominance as Sainz Triumphs

Carlos Sainz delivered a flawless performance at Marina Bay, steering Ferrari to a commanding victory that he controlled from start to finish. The Madrid native arrived at Singapore empowered by progress from the Monza podium a fortnight earlier and left with a remarkable set of results for the season. The win marked his first victory in the current campaign and the second career triumph with Ferrari, a moment that echoed past successes and reinforced his standing in the team. The celebration followed a notable showing at Silverstone in 2022, underscoring a year of steady advancement for Sainz and his squad.

Red Bull faced unexpected challenges at Marina Bay as the team struggled to find a configuration that clicked in Asia. The RB19, usually a force, didn’t exhibit its usual edge in qualifying or the race, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez encountering difficulties on both tracks and stops alike.

CARLOS SAINZ CHARTED A NEW COURSE IN SINGAPORE, A VICTORY FORGED AGAINST THE ODDS. THE RESULT BROUGHT JOY TO FERRARI FANS ACROSS SPAIN AND BEYOND, AS Sainz extended his lead and reinforced the team’s competitive momentum. Social posts from the era captured the moment and celebrated the breakthrough performance that resonated throughout the sport.

— DAZN Spain coverage circulated highlights and reactions from the race day, reflecting the excitement generated by Sainz’s milestone and the broader drama of the Singapore weekend.

See the overall standings of the Formula 1 World Championship for context on the season’s arc and how this result affected the championship picture for the protagonists involved.

The title leader at the time had a streak of ten consecutive wins in the season, yet in Singapore a drop in fortune materialized for the Dutch driver. He placed fifth in the race, a reminder that even a long-running run can meet a rocky chapter. Fernando Alonso faced a difficult Sunday, finishing in a disappointing position as strategies and incidents unfolded around the Marina Bay Circuit.

No Navigation

The race started with nineteen cars on track as Lance Stroll opted out after a weekend crash in qualifying. Ferrari’s strategy appeared solid, with most drivers selecting medium tires, while Leclerc chose softs to attempt an attack on Russell. Sainz retained pole, and his teammate moved into second, quickly overtaking the Mercedes driver.

The action featured a controversial moment when Lewis Hamilton briefly overtook Lando Norris in the first corner and then ceded the position, with the stewards later determining no penalty was warranted. Fernando Alonso moved up through the field, aided by Red Bull’s long stints on the harder Pirelli compounds, a tactic aimed at maximizing under a potential safety car scenario common in Marina Bay. Verstappen and Perez faced early exits in a dramatic second-quarter session, leaving the Dutch driver with a tall task as the race progressed.

A scheduled safety car appeared on lap 20 when Sergeant Williams driver Logan Sargeant suffered an incident at Turn 8, scattering debris on the track and prompting pit stops for all contenders. Sainz navigated this phase with composure, maintaining an advantage in the race’s early third before switching to a cautious but firm pace as the field reorganized behind him.

Challenge and Sanctions for Alonso

Fernando Alonso’s day featured a notable setback when he received a five-second penalty for not following race direction in the pit lane after an incident near the garage complex. The race continued with Sainz extending his lead briefly, while Verstappen and Leclerc clashed for position in the middle pack as the track evolved with fresh tires and changing traffic.

The action resumed after the penalty with Sainz maintaining a strong rhythm, while Verstappen and Leclerc pressed forward. Russell and Norris benefited from a slightly different strategy mix, and Hamilton, eager to rebound, surged to challenge across the closing stages. Tension built as the top four or five cars traded places several times and the crowd watched for any slip that could alter the podium landscape.

Impact and Final Push

The closing phase featured a tight three-way duel involving Alonso, Perez, and Ocon as the field shuffled behind the leaders. A notable radio moment captured Alonso expressing frustration with the car’s handling as the Alpine struggled to keep pace. A late, virtual safety car reshaped the pit-stop dynamics, and Mercedes capitalized with a strategic edge during the final stint.

With twelve laps to go, Sainz faced pressure from the chasing pack, including Norris and the two Mercedes entrants. He responded with a measured response, resisting the late surge while maintaining control to cross the finish line ahead of the pack. Russell challenged on the final laps, but Sainz’s early lead and adaptive pace ensured a celebrated finish for Ferrari, while Alonso’s day ended with a lower finish than expected in the context of the title fight.

Red Bull’s setback in Singapore marked a rare departure from the season’s dominant narrative, as Sainz’s win punctured what had become an extraordinary run by Milton Keynes. The race closed with Sainz taking victory, Norris third, and Hamilton and Russell rounding out the leading quartet, sparking renewed momentum for Ferrari in the championship chase.

In summation, Singapore delivered a landmark performance for Carlos Sainz and Ferrari, a weekend that will be remembered for the strategic clarity, on-track execution, and the moment when the balance of power shifted away from the previously dominant entity and toward a refreshed challenger.