International media praise Perez win, but denounce slow FIA action

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport praised Perez's convincing win, but lamented the FIA's - once again - slow action, which delayed the final result for hours. "The theme of slow decision-making during the race is becoming increasingly topical and a source of controversy," writes the Italian medium. "It was difficult to accept that at the fall of the chequered flag, they did not know the name of the winner, forcing the drivers to adjust their driving in anticipation of an unknown penalty."

For Perez and Red Bull Racing, however, there is nothing but praise: "Perez deservedly won on the track, taking the lead at the start and not letting it go. He was also good in the closing stages, because when he heard about the possible penalty, he increased the margin on Leclerc to 7.5 seconds, pending a five-second penalty. Another confirmation of the overall superiority of Red Bull, which (almost) always manages to express more potential than Ferrari on Sunday, at least in terms of the result at the chequered flag."

Marca

Spain's Marca called Perez "the grandmaster of the streets" after his resounding victory at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. "Perez brilliantly won the Singapore Grand Prix, an epic triumph in a chaotic and surreal race, where the wet tarmac caused total chaos. He drove a masterful race on wet and dry, holding off every attack from the Ferrari to snatch a victory, which seemed to be in jeopardy until the stewards gave their verdict."

Marca also has little good to say about the FIA's slow action. "It is unacceptable for the chequered flag to be waved half an hour before the end with no penalty for an incident, and for the FIA to allow the trophy ceremony to conclude in this way."

The Guardian

The Guardian saw world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton go wrong, where Perez scored a resounding victory. "Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez won the race with a commanding victory over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc that served as a salutary reminder of how the track in treacherous, wet conditions could be tamed."

By contrast, Verstappen drove "easily the worst race of his season", the British newspaper further writes. "Not least Verstappen, who put in what was comfortably the worst race of his season, a rollercoaster of charging up and falling back that ended with him managing only seventh."

Bild

Germany's Bild particularly notes the 'crash festival' that characterised the Singapore GP. As many as six cars failed to cross the finish line, while in addition there were several collisions and slips from which the respective drivers managed to recover.

"Verstappen misses the first chance to take his second world championship. For Red Bull, however, there is the reason for celebration: Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez wins the race, securing valuable points in the duel with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for second place in the drivers' championship," the newspaper writes.