Formula One: Hamilton in the ascendency after sneaking Singapore

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has smashed through the brick wall that saw him take just one of seven mid-season races to claim two on the bounce following the Singapore Grand Prix, and is now just 8/15 to win the drivers’ championship for the second time.

Hamilton regained the lead in the title race, despite being 22 points behind teammate Nico Rosberg prior to Formula One’s latest round, after the German retired on Lap 14 due to horrendous steering issues, having initially stalled on the grid.

For the second raceweek running, the 29-year-old Stevenage native completed the treble of pole position, fastest lap and overall winner, with this website’s Christian Crowther serving up another cracking weekend’s tipping.

Having called the hat-trick at 7/4 a fortnight ago, news.Ladbrokes went with a safety car coming out at 1/5 in Singapore as the banker bet, alongside Sebastian Vettel making the podium – also at 7/4 – plus Hamilton grabbing pole at 4/6. All three wagers landed.

With only four races left in the season, the 2008 champion’s luck seems to have changed markedly and Rosberg, who is next best in the outrights at 6/4, may need a couple of unlikely retirements from his co-worker to stand any chance of capturing the crown for the first time.

Hamilton has been at the back of the grid after qualifying in a couple of races this year, and took up mid-division pitches from the off in others after bouts of brake failure in the super-quick Mercedes.

However, the Switzerland resident has only had to duck out before the end three times during 2014, with one of those retirements coming after Rosberg smashed into him in Belgium, and made the podium in every Grand Prix he has finished so far this term.

Rosberg is also second-favourite at 2/1 to win the next race in Japan, behind 8/13 Hamilton.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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