Singapore Grand Prix 2019 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel claimed a strategic masterclass victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, undercut teammate Charles Leclerc to take the lead and controlled the race to the finish at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The German driver executed Ferrari's bold early pit stop strategy perfectly, stopping several laps before Leclerc from third position and using fresher tires to jump both the pole-sitting Leclerc and second-placed Max Verstappen. The undercut proved decisive on the tight street circuit where overtaking is nearly impossible, with Vettel emerging in the lead when the pit stop sequence completed and never looking back.

Leclerc started from pole position and led the opening stint, but Ferrari's decision to prioritize Vettel's strategy sparked immediate controversy within the team. The young Monegasque driver was furious on team radio, questioning why he hadn't been given the same strategic advantage despite being ahead on track. Leclerc was forced to settle for second place, finishing ahead of Verstappen who completed the podium for Red Bull in third. The internal Ferrari politics and preferential strategy call reignited debates about team orders and whether Vettel was receiving preferential treatment despite Leclerc's superior form throughout the season.

Kevin Magnussen set the fastest lap for Haas in an otherwise difficult season for the American team. Vettel's victory marked his first win since the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix over a year earlier, providing redemption after a difficult campaign marred by errors and controversy. However, the manner of the win - benefiting from team strategy rather than outright pace - did little to silence critics questioning his position as Ferrari's lead driver. The Singapore result highlighted the growing tension within Ferrari between their established four-time champion and their rising star, a dynamic that would influence their driver lineup decisions in subsequent seasons. Hamilton finished fourth for Mercedes, extending his championship lead to 65 points with just six races remaining.