Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing wins the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore, October 2, 2022. /CFP
Sergio Perez won a rain-affected Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday leaving his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen to wait at least another week to retain his Formula One world championship.
The Mexican took the chequered flag 7.5 seconds ahead of the Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at Marina Bay Street Circuit, the only night street race of the season.
However, he had to endure a nervy few hours before his victory was confirmed when he was penalized five seconds for a safety car infringement.
Sergio Perez (R) of Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme after the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, October 2, 2022. /CFP
Carlos Sainz was third to make it a double podium for Ferrari in the night race that started more than an hour late because of a storm.
Lewis Hamilton started third in his Mercedes and lost a place at the start before later slithering into a barrier and finishing ninth.
Charles Leclerc (C) of Ferrari shakes hands with winner Sergio Perez (R), who takes a rest after the race, in Singapore, October 2, 2022. /CFP
It was the first grand prix to be held under lights at the Marina Bay Street Circuit since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I am so happy to get this victory for me and my Team, it means a lot to me. I haven’t been on the podium the last couple of races but I was always working under the radar and making big noises behind the scenes, so I am super proud of the performance today," Perez said.
Chinese racer Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the race at Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, October 2, 2022. /CFP
Chinese racer Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo did not finish the race.
"It's a disappointing to finish a race with such a crash, there was not much I could do. I was side-by-side with Latifi in turn four, and he decided to fully close the space and put me into the wall. The damage to the suspension was terminal, he got a penalty for this incident but it's not going to change much for me. It was not what we wanted, and it's especially annoying as I think we had a decent pace. We just move on from today and shift our focus to Suzuka: it's a new chance for us to do well and I am looking forward to racing on that track," Zhou explained.
Currently, Verstappen ranks first in the driver standings at 341 points, followed by Leclerc and Perez at 237 points and 235 points respectively.
(With input from AFP)