Lewis Hamilton wins Singapore GP to move 40 points clear of Sebastian Vettel

Mercedes-GP driver dominates processional race at Marina Bay Circuit

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton competes during Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on September 16, 2018. / AFP / Jewel SAMAD
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Lewis Hamilton extended his lead in the Formula One drivers' championship to 40 points as he won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Mercedes-GP driver won at the Marina Bay Circuit for the fourth time in his career ahead of Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen.

A dispirited Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton's nearest challenger in the standings, was third as he lamented on the pit radio his Ferrari's race strategy.

The race will not be won well remembered for racing at the front of the field as it was dominated by tyre strategy.

All the front runners nursed their tyres, often running three seconds off the pace, in an attempt to make one-stop strategies work.

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Hamilton led from pole, and was only headed during the pit stops. Vettel passed Verstappen on the opening lap for second, but lost the position back after pitting earlier than the Dutchman.

Valtteri Bottas was fourth in the second Mercedes, ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo.

The most notable incidents in the race involved the Force India of Sergio Perez.

He collided with teammate Esteban Ocon on the opening lap, with Ocon being turfed off into the wall and causing a safety car period.

He was later given a drive-through penalty for being found by stewards to be at fault for a clash with the Williams of Sergey Sirotkin.

There are six races of the season remaining, with the next round in Russia on September 30.

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