Hamilton moves clear after crash putsVettel out of Singapore race

LEWIS Hamilton’s hopes of winning this year’s Formula One championship were dealt a seismic boost in Singapore after he benefited from rival Sebastian Vettel’s first-lap crash with Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen to storm to victory.

Hamilton, who started only fifth and had claimed that he needed a miracle to win, led every lap of a chaotic race which saw the safety car deployed on three occasions.

The British driver crossed the line 4.5 seconds clear of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, with Valtteri Bottas completing the podium, to move 28 points clear of Vettel with just six races remaining.

On a damp track following a deluge of rain just 15 minutes before the start, Vettel moved to his left to cover off Verstappen, and a faststarting Raikkonen.

Raikkonen, tight against the pit wall, surged ahead of Verstappen, but at 120mph his right rear tyre made contact with Verstappen’s front left, and he was sent out of control before thudding into the side of his Ferrari team-mate.

As Raikkonen and Verstappen came to a sudden halt at turn one – colliding with an unfortunate Fernando Alonso in the process – Vettel managed to keep his Ferrari on the straight and narrow. But on the exit of turn three, and with significant damage to his car, the German lost control and crashed into the concrete wall.

Hamilton surged past Vettel and took the lead of the race.He kept his cool to not only remain in charge of the championship, but extended his lead to more than a single victory.

Vettel attempted to put a brave face on the mayhem, but he will know that his chances of stopping Hamilton march on to the title have taken a significant hit.

“I had an average start, moved slightly to the left and was trying to fend off Max,” Vettel explained. “Then the next thing there was a bump on the side and I saw Kimi’s car, so I don’t know what happened.

“There’s nothing we can do now. It doesn’t change much.”

In contrast, Verstappen moved to lay the blame at Vettel’s door. “If you are fighting for the world championship you shouldn’t take those risks squeezing someone that much,” he said. “You can see what happens. Lewis is leading the race and the three of us are out.”