Fernando Alonso added some more points to Aston Martin’s tally in eighth, with Nico Hulkenberg giving Haas something to celebrate in ninth, as the aforementioned Perez – having been knocked out in the second qualifying phase – completed the top 10 places.
Franco Colapinto added to his impressive drives in Italy and Azerbaijan en route to P11, just a couple of seconds away from Perez and a points reward, followed by the lead RB and Alpine cars of Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon, and the second Aston Martin machine of Lance Stroll.
Kick Sauber drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas crossed the line in 15th and 16th respectively, taking advantage of a difficult race for Pierre Gasly in the other Alpine and a three-stop affair for RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who set the fastest lap after a late move to soft tyres.
Alex Albon lost a hatful of positions at the start when he felt he was forced wide by Williams team mate Colapinto and later retired due to an overheating car, with the Haas of Kevin Magnussen joining him on the DNF list at the end of the race after picking up a puncture.
Norris punched the air in delight as the podium finishers pulled up in parc ferme, having cut Verstappen’s title lead from 59 points to 52. McLaren, meanwhile, depart Singapore with an increased 41-point advantage over Red Bull in the constructors’.
More to follow.
