Sergio Perez was handed a five-second time penalty for not staying within 10 lengths of the safety car when following behind, but the Redbull driver made a brilliant comeback to win the chaotic Singapore Grand Prix. Anyone betting on Perez must have had a trip to hell and back.
Perez had secured only two podiums in the previous eight races, a run which included two retirements.
Perez’s win also put Max Verstappen’s Formula One title celebrations were put on hold, who finished seventh. Verstappen’s equal-lowest position this year matches his seventh at the British GP in July.
Verstappen had won the past five races but needed to win here and finish 22 points ahead of Leclerc to be crowned champion for a second straight season. That could happen next weekend at the Japanese GP.
Verstappen is 104 points ahead of Leclerc and 106 clear of Perez, with 138 points left in the remaining five races, including an additional sprint race in Brazil.