Singapore win is Hamilton shock

LEWIS Hamilton admitted he was i n shock after defying the odds to win a chaotic Singapore Grand Prix.

He was the beneficiary of a frenetic opening corner in which his championship rival Sebastian Vettel, the German’s Ferrari t eammate Kimi Raikkonen, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were all taken out of the race in a stunning threeway crash.

The incident, one which could prove the defining factor in this year’s title race, paved the way for Hamilton to claim his third win in as many races and move 28 points clear of Vettel at the summit of the Formula One standings.

Hamilton had been placed as a 16/1 outsider to win the night race after he qualified a distant fifth with his Mercedes machinery struggling at the slow and twisty Marina Bay street circuit.

The Briton claimed he needed a miracle to win and it arrived in the form of rain, Ve t t e l ’s race-ending collision, and his own masterful performance in the wet. This ensures he can now afford to not score at one of the remaining six races and still be crowned champion.

“It could not have been any more perfect given that we are at a circuit where Ferrari have been in another world,” Hamilton said. “I definitely went into the race thinking it was about damage limitation and trying to minimise the loss.

“I could have come out a lot worse. So, to go in the other direction is a shock — but I will take it.”

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory.