Formula 1®
DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award: FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
Key Takeaways
- Williams with DHL Fastest Pit Stop for third time this season in Singapore
- Lance Stroll is equipped with new tires in 2.20 seconds
- Red Bull Racing lead DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award
Williams with DHL Fastest Pit Stop in Singapore
Williams have completed the DHL Fastest Pit Stop in Singapore for the third time in the 2018 season following their success in Azerbaijan and Hungary. Lance Stroll was dispatched in 2.20 seconds on Lap 40 in his only pit stop of the race. Despite his crew’s fine performance, the young Canadian was unable to finish higher than 14th and thus missed the points.
“I am really happy with the end result as 14th was a great result for the pace we had yesterday, and throughout the weekend. It wasn’t easy – I would say more mentally than physically. I felt pretty good in the car, as physically I had prepared. Mentally, I am on the edge with no room for error. It wasn’t easy, as every millimeter counts round here and one millimeter too much is contact with the wall,” said Stroll.
The longest race of the season – the Singapore GP normally lasts two hours – was full of twists and turns as regards strategy. Sebastian Vettel was the first of the top drivers to come into the pits on Lap 14 and tried by means of the undercut to overtake Lewis Hamilton in the lead. However, Mercedes responded immediately, bringing the championship leader in to change tires one lap after Vettel.
Hamilton thus not only remained ahead of Vettel but also emerged in front of Sergio Perez, who had not stopped yet. The Mexican acted as a buffer between the two drivers and cost Vettel a lot of time, as the German in the Ferrari dropped back behind Verstappen in the Red Bull, who pitted on Lap 17 and rejoined the track just ahead of him.
The race was more or less decided after that. Vettel was subsequently unable to put pressure on Verstappen, who secured a comfortable second place behind Hamilton. Vettel lost 39 seconds to the race winner in the end and is 40 points down on Hamilton in the fight for the world championship with six races remaining before the season finale.
“We were running second after a good start which allowed me to get past Max. I was happy and confident when I got the call to box. I knew I needed a mega outlap to try and challenge for the lead, but it didn’t work,” said Vettel. “I lost time behind another car and the brakes got a little too hot, it was close but we got the worst of it. I fully support the team’s decision, because I can’t be aware of everything that goes on, as I am sitting in the car, so I rely on them.”
The top-ten pit stops in the FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
- Lance Stroll (Williams) - 2.20secs
- Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) - 2.31secs
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) - 2.45secs
- Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) - 2.54secs
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 2.56secs
- Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) - 2.72secs
- Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) - 2.78secs
- Kevin Magnussen (Haas) - 2.82secs
- Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) - 2.91secs
- Romain Grosjean (Haas) - 2.97secs
DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award: Red Bull remain in lead
Red Bull Racing on 373 points have a clear lead in the overall standings of the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award. Ferrari are their main rivals with 247 points, followed by Mercedes with 219. Williams (198) are now in fourth place after their success in Singapore with Sauber (196) right behind them.
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