Vettel: Early Singapore retirement 'a pity'

Sebastian Vettel was left downbeat after a clash with Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Red Bull's Max Verstappen caused him to retire from the Singapore Grand Prix on the opening lap, hurting his championship hopes.

Vettel looked poised to move back into the lead of the drivers' standings after taking pole position in Singapore, with Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton sitting fifth on the grid.

Verstappen and Raikkonen both made good starts and tried to pass Vettel down the inside, only for the three to crash together and all retire due to the damage sustained.

“It's not ideal is it," Vettel said after returning to the paddock.
 
"I didn’t see that much. I saw Max and then the next thing I see is Kimi hitting the side of me and Max somewhere there.

“It is what it is and we move on. It doesn’t change much.

"Obviously we are not in the race, that’s a pity, we can’t show the pace that we have.

"But I am sure there will be more opportunities."