Singapore Grand Prix 2017: The Opening Shunt Involving Vettel, Raikkonen and Max Verstappen as Seen From the Stands

The 2017 Singapore Grand Prix had a lot of drama at the very beginning of the race. Sebastian Vettel was on pole position ahead of Red Bull duo, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Unfortunately, things did not quite go to plan for Ferrari and Red Bull, while Mercedes could hardly believe their luck.

Kimi Raikkonen in 4th got a lightning quick start and the two Ferraris sandwiched Max Verstappen. Unfortunately, at that point, things went horribly wrong as Raikkonen, Vettel and Verstappen tangled.

The veteran Finn was helpless as he skidded across the damp circuit and collided with Verstappen a second time. Meanwhile, a fast-starting Fernando Alonso, in a perfect world, would have slotted into 3rd, as he was overtaking the hobbled Max Verstappen. Sadly, the Spaniard was just around the outside of Max Verstappen when the two were blindsided by the out-of-control Raikkonen.

Then, more heartbreak for Ferrari as Sebastian Vettel spun and wrecked his front nose cone. When the safety car came out so that the marshals could clear the kerfuffle, the big winner was Lewis Hamilton.

He led behind the safety car from Daniel Ricciardo and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg respectively. Sadly, Hulkenberg was robbed of yet another chance of a maiden podium when his car developed an oil leak.

As a result, Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes gleefully took the podium spot. So, the race concluded with Hamilton winning from Ricciardo and Bottas. Meanwhile Max Verstappen and the Ferraris were left wondering what could have been.

Behind them, a delighted Carlos Sainz came home in a career-best 4th, ahead of Sergio Perez, Jolyon Palmer, Stoffel Vandoorne, Lance Stroll, Romain Grosjean and Esteban Ocon. The only remaining finishers were Felipe Massa and Pascal Wehrlein.