Hamilton was sure he could win after the rain fell

Lewis Hamilton knew he would win the Singapore Grand Prix after he realised it was raining. The Brit started the race from fifth on the grid but was up to first after the opening lap, due to retirements from Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton remained in front to the chequered flag and didn't come under any pressure from Daniel Ricciardo behind, who was the favourite of many to take the victory after Friday practice. Speaking to Sky Sports post-race, Hamilton described his emotions after his seventh victory of 2017.

"I didn’t pray for a miracle or for anything to happen but when it rained I thought ‘this is it, I can win from fifth’. I was sure I could do something and then everyone disappeared. I was really happy, no mistakes, a well-controlled race in those conditions.

"Coming here with the idea of damage limitation, thinking ‘I’m going to come out of here behind in the championship again’ and now I’m further ahead. I definitely count my blessings and don’t take it for granted. I just saw commotion at the beginning. I took a really wide line into Turn 1 thinking they might trail into me. Fortunately, I passed before that happened and Kimi went into Verstappen.

"Sebastian span right in front of me so I was hoping he wouldn’t collect me. And then I was in the lead and I like this position. I don’t know if it’s karma [for Baku] but whatever it is I will definitely take it. I love the positivity and energy that’s come from today. I love dancing in the rain and I’m grateful for it. This is our weakest circuit so to come away with the win, couldn’t be happier."

Hamilton now holds a 28 point lead in the championship, the largest margin he or rival Vettel has had this season. With only six races left in the 2017 season, Ferrari's double DNF could well be the turning point in the constructor's championship, as it now trails Mercedes by 102 points.

Fergal Walsh