Nico Rosberg has taken the lead of the world championship after winning the Singapore GP while title rival Lewis Hamilton struggled to third place. After withstanding a late surge from Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, Rosberg’s victory, his third in succession since the summer break, has propelled him eight points clear of his Mercedes team-mate with six races remaining.

Red Bull rolled the strategy dice with 15 laps remaining by pitting Ricciardo for a fresh set of tyres but his pursuit of Rosberg ultimately came up one second short in a captivating finish to an otherwise lacklustre race.

Rosberg would have followed Ricciardo in but after a lap caught in traffic Mercedes opted for Rosberg to remain the tortoise to Ricciardo’s hare – a decision which was vindicated at the chequered flag by precisely 0.488 seconds.

Hamilton had earlier been passed on track by the Finn after running wide, while Raikkonen’s Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel fought back from starting at the back of the grid to finish fifth with an inspired drive. The former world champion was deservedly rewarded with the Driver of the Day award.