The 2017 edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix took place earlier this evening, going into uncharted territory as the previous nine races were run in dry weather. And as fate would have it, a dramatic collision at the start of the race between pole sitter Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen saw the three frontrunners taken out of the battle at the first turn.

The crash ended Vettel’s hopes of leapfrogging world championship leader Lewis Hamilton, as the German was forced to retire, leaving his Mercedes rival to claim the lead – and his third Singapore title – from fifth place on the grid. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas finished second and third respectively in the 58-lap, two-hour race.

Hamilton was certainly thanking his lucky stars last night after escaping unscathed from the opening lap crash, and clinching victory in an incident-filled night at the Marina Bay circuit that saw a season-record of eight retirements and three safety car periods.

The win sees him edging closer to a fourth world title, as the Briton extended his lead over Vettel to 28 points with six races remaining on the calendar, and his third consecutive win following a summer break in the championship schedule.