This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
Sebastian Vettel Ends Win Drought with Ferrari One-Two in Singapore ¶
Sebastian Vettel ended a 13-month win drought with a one-two finish for Ferrari at the Singapore Grand Prix on September 22, 2019. The German driver led his complaining Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc across the line, 2.6 seconds ahead.
It was Vettel's first win since the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2018, and it marked Ferrari's third consecutive race win, their first such hat-trick since 2008. The Italian team also secured their first one-two finish since 2017.
Charles Leclerc, who had led from pole position, was left crestfallen when Vettel made the most of an early pit stop to leapfrog him. Leclerc's frustration was evident in his team radio messages, where he exclaimed, 'What the hell...?' and later complained, 'I don't understand at all the undercut.'
Despite Leclerc's attempts to mount an attack during the restarts, Vettel kept his head and maintained his lead. The German driver's temperament and future at Ferrari have been the subject of much speculation, but he kept his focus and secured the win.
Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who was fourth but still extended his lead to 65 points over Valtteri Bottas in the drivers' championship. Mercedes have 527 points to Ferrari's 394 in the constructors' championship.
