Hamilton victorious, closing in on title

SINGAPORE — Lewis Hamilton took a significant stride toward the world title after winning the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday from fifth place on the grid.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo prevented a Mercedes 1-2 by finishing ahead of Valtteri Bottas. Fourth place went to Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz Jr. — a career best for the Spanish driver.

Sebastian Vettel made one of the worst starts of his distinguished career, throwing away pole position as he recklessly caused a crash heading into the first corner. The Ferrari driver took three others out with him — and critically none was a Mercedes.

Instead of moving ahead of Hamilton in their enthralling title battle, Vettel now trails him by 28 points with six races left.

“It couldn’t be a more perfect scenario,” Hamilton said. “I definitely went in today thinking it was about damage limitation. To come out of it in the other direction is a shock.”

Vettel was supposed to score heavily here. With less speed and 23 turns, the hardbraking Marina Bay circuit suited Ferrari much more than Mercedes. Furthermore, Vettel had the Singapore record for wins (four) and podiums (six). But in a few seconds, he threw it all away. The German driver gunned across the track, triggering first-turn mayhem and causing a domino effect as Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Fernando Alonso all crashed with him.

Montreal rookie Lance Stroll finished eighth.