27 Sep 2010

Hamilton crashes out as Webber finishes third in Singapore

5:41 am on 27 September 2010

McLaren's title contender Lewis Hamilton retired from the Singapore Grand Prix overnight after a collision with Formula One championship leader Mark Webber.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso won the race, ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel in second, with Webber in third.

The retirement was Hamilton's third in four races and dealt a major blow to the Briton's championship hopes after starting the night race in second place overall in the standings and ahead of Webber on the grid.

Hamilton, in fourth place and on fresh tyres after his pitstop, tried to overtake the Australian on lap 36 after the safety car had come in.

But as the 2008 champion moved across the Red Bull into turn seven, the cars came together.

While Hamilton's McLaren suffered race-ending damage, Webber was able to continue in third place.

Hamilton, who won last year's night race in the city-state, was clearly furious with the incident, tossing his steering wheel out of the stricken car.

Race stewards investigated the incident and decided to take no further action.

Hamilton is one of five drivers battling for the championship with just four races, and a maximum of 100 points, remaining.