Piastri says Singapore puncture helped set up Hamilton pass for fifth

Oscar Piastri said his puncture in the Singapore Grand Prix ironically worked in his favour, helping create the conditions for his pass on Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren driver finished fifth at the Marina Bay Street Circuit after what was described as a hard-fought race in difficult conditions.

Before the late twist, Piastri had been running a relatively isolated sixth. He was 20 seconds behind third-placed Hamilton and seven seconds behind team-mate Lando Norris when a virtual safety car was deployed on lap 39 after Lance Stroll pulled aside.

The race was marked by extreme heat and heavy tyre degradation, with Motorsport.com describing it as a war of attrition across the paddock. Piastri's recovery to fifth was presented as an important points result for McLaren in the constructors' battle.