The Singapore Grand Prix came to an end in the most unique way possible. This was the first race of the season without a Red Bull race win or even a podium. The race started in style with Sainz and Norris battling by the end of it.
However, Carlos Sainz was the winner of the Singapore Grand Prix and led the entirety of the race. Unfortunately for George Russell, his crash got Lewis Hamilton his 196 podium of his career. And while everyone celebrated their podium and race win, Russell was left crying for his last-moment mess.
George Russell was way on his last lap right behind Lando Norris. The drivers were close to winning their respective podiums when Russell suddenly lost it. Only by a few seconds, Russell lost his first podium of the season. After the race, however, Lando Norris talked about Russell’s sudden lock-up. He said, “I think he copied me, and just did it even worse. I feel for him. He fought a tough race. He was the quickest today, I would say.”
Pure agony for George Russell on the final lap💥#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/9Rug7lX08J
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 17, 2023
Russell showed some great pace in this race. The Brit was close to Sainz by 3 seconds in no time. The entire race, Russell overtook Leclerc after losing his P2 position. The driver consistently fought and held right behind the other drivers.
However, it was at the very last minute, that the Brit was about to collect his first podium and the second of his career. Nonetheless, his car had a crash which threw him into the walls. Lewis Hamilton, who was right behind his teammate, took the podium.
George Russell’s pain, Lewis Hamilton’s gain as Mercedes end bitter-sweet Singapore outing
After a long battle-filled season, George Russell came close to winning his second career podium. However, it was at the very last moment that the Brit crashed into the wall. The driver suffered through a huge lockup in his car on the lap of the race.
It was right before he crossed the line that he crashed and was unable to finish the race completely. Russell had worked through the race to only lose it all. And while the Brit cried over spilled milk, his teammate celebrated breaking yet another one of his records.
And one cannot forget this moment when Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen skillfully.
Lewis Hamilton on Max Verstappen #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/PkDCiZXhBz
— deni (@fiagirly) September 17, 2023
Lewis Hamilton won his first podium since the Silverstone Grand Prix. This also counted as the 196th podium of his career, breaking his own record of 195 podium finishes. The Brit is now also in third in the Driver’s Standings after a long-point battle with Fernando Alonso. Hamilton is now 10 points ahead of Fernando Alonso with 180 points to his name for the season. While it was an unfortunate situation for Mercedes, they could win at least a podium.
4 more until Lewis Hamilton reaches 200 F1 podiums! With 7 races to go, it’s still possible to reach that this season. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/K6RJUP7L2R
— iesh🍒 (@lewishamil7on) September 17, 2023
However, for their second driver, Russell, Mercedes mourned the driver’s incredible fight just to go into a crash. The driver was DNF for the race after his crash, a split-second away from the finish line. Nonetheless, the team had a bitter-sweet moment at Marina Bay after Hamilton’s P5 start finished on a podium and Russell’s P2 start turned into a DNF.
