It wasn’t a classic 2019 Singapore Grand Prix by any means, at least at the front. The leading six cars used their advantage to pull ahead from the rest of competing cars. But the twisty, flowing nature of the Singapore street circuit rewards the brave with a potential imminent collision into the walls if wheel to wheel combat is engaged. So it’s better to play the long game, but not if you are Romain Grosjean. Nevertheless, Ferrari had a narrow advantage over Mercedes as did Mercedes over Red Bull. The result was a stalemate race devoid of overtaking among the top six with position changes resolved primarily at the pitstops.

Ferrari undercut their race leader, Charles leclerc, by ptting third-placed Vettel first on lap 20. Vettel used his new tyres to good effect lapping four seconds quicker and jumped. Leclerc was a spectator as his teammate swept by on lap 21, the young gun Ferrari star was left dazed and confused. Mercedes decided to leave Lewis Hamilton out for a few laps too long and he fell back to 4th after Max Verstappen also made use of the undercut.

Hamilton’s Mercedes had the better race pace of those ahead of him but didn’t have a significant advantage to make use of the speed. Valterri Bottas finshed fifth ahead of the Red Bull of Alex Albon. But there was plenty of close racing behind the top six.

The mid-field represented some close fierce wheel to wheel battles at least to keep the race entertaining. Despite two periods of saftey cars, Vettel was able to retain his advantage. Leclerc wasn’t happy about losing his lead and made it clear over the team radio. But Ferrari secured a 1-2 finish for the first time since 2008.

And Vettel secured his first victory for Ferrari in 2019, his last win was over a year ago. But the real take away from the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix is that Ferrari was competitive at a track that was seen by many to significantly favor the Mercedes.

Perhaps Ferrari has left it too late to mount a challenge but three wins in three races with seven remaining, Ferrari could at least mount a comeback challenge for constructors honors.

2019 Sinagapore Grand Prix Results

Note – Giovinazzi received a post-race, 10-second time penalty for failing to follow the Race Director’s instructions.