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Sainz marches in with perfect Singapore drive to end Red Bull streak

Carlos Sainz clinched victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, ending Red Bull’s 2023 win streak. George Russell’s crash in the final lap after a late charge cost him a potential podium. Lando Norris secured second, and Lewis Hamilton finished third. Championship leader Max Verstappen placed fifth.

Published

1 year ago

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by Daniel Hicks

Carlos Sainz said Ferrari “didn’t put a foot wrong” as the Spanish driver drove a perfect race to win a thrilling Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday and end Red Bull’s hopes of sweeping every race in 2023.

But an emotional George Russell was close to tears after crashing his Mercedes on the final lap after attempting a late victory charge on fresher tyres.

Lando Norris was second after a brilliant defensive drive to hold off the Mercedes pair as Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in third after teammate Russell’s lapse.

Championship leader Max Verstappen, who had won the last 10 races, was only fifth as Red Bull failed to take the chequered flag for the first time this season after a weekend where they were consistently off the pace.

His teammate Sergio Perez crossed the line eighth.

Sainz controlled the night race around the city-centre street circuit brilliantly from pole position to take only his second career win, the first coming at the British Grand Prix last year.

“An incredible feeling. We didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend,” said Sainz.

“We nailed the race. We had one opportunity to win a race this year and we did it perfect,” added the Spaniard.

Sainz seemed set for a comfortable win until a virtual safety car 20 laps from the end gave the two Mercedes the chance to change to fresh medium-compound tyres.

Russell and Hamilton came out flying and soon reeled in and passed the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth.

But when they got on the heels of the top two they could not get past as Sainz cleverly backed up to keep his former teammate Norris within DRS (drag reduction system) range so the Englishman could defend second place.

“It was just quite tight at the end. We gave Lando a bit of a cheeky DRS boost to help him and in the end it worked,” said Sainz.

“The safety car forced us to pit earlier than we wanted and I knew it was going to be a long stint on the hards.”

‘Very generous’

Russell was all over the back of Norris until his challenge ended in the barriers, handing Hamilton the final podium place.

“It’s heartbreaking after such a great weekend,” said Russell. “I feel like I let myself and the team down. It’s tough but we will come back.”

Norris was grateful for the help he received from Sainz, his former teammate.

“Carlos was very generous trying to help me get DRS. It helped my race and it also helped his,” said Norris.

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was sixth, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri seventh.

Rookie Liam Lawson picked up his first championship points in ninth for AlphaTauri on only his third Formula One start and Haas’s Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top 10 points scorers.

Sainz began the race smoothly to take the lead with Leclerc slotting into second and there was little action until Logan Sargeant prompted a safety car when he lost the front wing of his Williams on lap 20.

A flurry of pit-lane activity followed as all the leaders headed in for fresh hard tyres to take them to the end of the 62-lap race.

Leclerc was held up double-stacking behind Sainz and Russell and Norris emerged in front of the Monegasque.

The order was unchanged until Esteban Ocon’s engine gave out causing a virtual safety car with 18 laps left.

It prompted the Mercedes pair to dive in for fresh medium tyres as the leaders stayed out.

It put the pair behind Leclerc but they were lapping two seconds quicker and soon swept past the Monegasque and closed on Norris until Russell’s error cost him a podium place.

Verstappen is still a runaway favourite to claim a third world title but the all-conquering Dutchman has still never taken the chequered flag in Singapore.

He now cannot clinch the title until the Qatar GP in three weeks’ time, but said the team would bounce back at next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, where the track will suit them better.

“I had fun in the second stint. We were quite quick on the medium compound,” said Verstappen, who increased his lead over Perez to 151 points with seven races to go.

“I think we will be quick in Suzuka.”

— AFP

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

Published

7 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

By

A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Arts & Culture

Epigram Books to close SAM bookshop amid low sales and footfall

Epigram Books will shut down its bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum on 26 January 2025, citing low sales and foot traffic. The independent bookstore, known for supporting local authors, will continue to operate its online store, but its future in brick-and-mortar retail is uncertain.

Published

8 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

By

Epigram Books, a major supporter of Singaporean literature, will close its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) on 26 January 2025.

The decision comes after years of struggling with low sales and foot traffic at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark location, marking the end of the bookstore’s three-year lease.

The announcement on 19 September follows Times Bookstores’ closure of its final outlet in Holland Road, highlighting the growing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar bookstores in Singapore.

Edmund Wee, publisher at Epigram Books, expressed disappointment, stating: “We tried everything to make this work. Over the past three years, we’ve often asked ourselves, how many people even knew our bookstore existed here, let alone visited?”

Despite efforts to boost traffic, including operating shuttles to increase accessibility, the bookstore struggled to attract visitors consistently.

Epigram Coffee Bookshop, previously located at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Maxwell Road and later in a pop-up at Beach Road, relocated to SAM in May 2022 in partnership with Balestier Market Collective.

The 20-seater store featured towering shelves showcasing local and Southeast Asian titles, including books from other independent publishers like Ethos Books and Math Paper Press.

However, the location’s industrial setting, which only saw spikes in visitors during major exhibitions like Olafur Eliasson’s, limited consistent footfall.

The closure coincides with the end of Eliasson’s exhibit on 22 September 2024. Although the exhibition provided a temporary boost to the bookshop’s sales, Epigram noted that the increased traffic was short-lived.

Epigram’s future in physical retail remains uncertain. Mr Wee indicated that high rental costs make reopening a physical store unlikely: “Unless rent prices relent, it’s unlikely we’ll move into another space.”

Epigram Books has been a significant presence in Singapore’s independent book scene, promoting local authors and holding literary events.

The bookshop was also a community hub for the literary arts, hosting numerous book launches and events supporting local writers. “These spaces are special to our literary arts community. They’re where book lovers gather, where literary events and book launches happen in support of our writers,” said Mr Wee.

Despite the closure of the SAM store, Epigram will continue to operate its online store. The publisher emphasized the need for continued support from readers: “We’ve come this far with everyone’s support, and we look forward to continued support from our readers as we transition to focus on online sales.”

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