5 talking points from the Singapore Grand Prix

Surely, the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix may not have been the most exciting or titillating contest. But even then, it unfurled some meaningful drives for a few on the grid.

It cannot be denied that it possibly provided one of the biggest reliefs to Lewis Hamilton, who by virtue of collecting his second win on the circuit (on the trot, since 2017), opened a big gap on arch-rival Sebastian Vettel on the driver's rankings.

That said, what were the five talking points from the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix?

#1 Charles Leclerc delivering a stellar Grand Prix

F1 Grand Prix of Singapore - Qualifying — Leclerc finished ninth at Singapore

In his maiden run at Singapore, Charles Leclerc enjoyed what could be called a brave ninth, a lap behind the Renault of Carlos Sainz Jr.

In so doing, he reignited the faith of his followers and reaffirmed the trust that the Scuderia stable have entrusted on his young, capable shoulders.

While Leclerc started thirteenth on the grid, that he gained four places and nearly got the better of Nico Hulkenberg during the middle stages confirms that he enjoyed a fantastic run in machinery that cannot be called the fastest.

#2 Lacklustre stuff from Ricciardo

F1 Grand Prix of Singapore — Ricciardo didn't exactly have a great race, it could be said

Not since the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix had Ricciardo finished once outside the podium. In fact, his form at the Marina Bay track had been so utterly brilliant that he completed a hat-trick of P2 finishes at the venue during 2017.

In fact, in giving great hope to his team, when Ricciardo went fastest on Saturday's second qualifying run, it appeared that no one was firing a shot in the dark when it was said the Red Bulls were gunning for a big finish at Singapore.

Yet, in finishing sixth, about a second off Raikkonen meant that Ricciardo exits Singapore without the familiar grin we've come to associate with him. In his pursuit of Raikkonen's Ferrari, what was most surprising about Ricciardo was that while he went nearly 13.5 kilometres faster than Kimi where corner speed was concerned, but he wasn't able to match him on the straight-line speed. And maybe that explained his lacklustre run?

Throughout the race, he seemed uncomfortable when it came to the prospect of lapping the other cars and was unable to pass the Finn in the fighting moments of the stage, to gather a lowly sixth-place finish. In the past three races, this is the first time that the Aussie finished a race, having registered two DNFs at Spa and Monza.

#3 The battle between the Finns

Valtteri Bottas hasn't really had too many talking points this season but his dogged defence of the fourth position, his eventual standing at Singapore, ahead of Raikkonen proved just why he's so highly rated.

For someone who's endured the torridness of being called 'Lewis' wingman' all along this season, Bottas thoroughly deserved his fourth-position, a position he defended brilliantly in front of an attacking Raikkonen, especially from the onset of Lap 45.

At one stage, during the chicane, Raikkonen nearly came wheel-to-wheel with Bottas, who held on to his place on the grid and carried on brilliantly.

On the other hand, Raikkonen had to contend with a modest P5, not what the record-breaking 'Kimster' as seen at Monza would've expected. Still, Raikkonen has found a way to stick to fifth on the driver's standings, so far.

#4 Hamilton's epic drive

In taking an incredible 69th win of his F1 career, his fourth in five races, one that's increasingly becoming as famous as the man responsible for carving it, Lewis prevailed in the end.

In grabbing his fourth win at Singapore, the Mercedes stalwart also braved an initial attack from Sebastian Vettel, who initially seemed threatening, after having passed Verstappen in the early stages of the 61-lap contest.

But one understands just how dogged Lewis' win was by the eventual margin with which he won; a brilliant 9-second gap over second-placed Verstappen.

Now, Lewis is also in firm control of the championship, and he's ensuring that Vettel's woes are only going to multiply, having reigned at Singapore.

#5 Ordinary stuff from Perez

If there was a driver who passed the checkered flag being absolutely guilt-stricken at Singapore, then it would have to be Sergio Perez, the fighting Mexican. On the opening lap, when his teammate Esteban Ocon jumped onto the right of his teammate at around Turn 1, Perez, possibly aware of what had happened, didn't leave even a fraction of a tiny space for the two to contend with.

This led to the two coming together and Ocon crashing into the sidewall barriers.

Later on, it was shocking to find Perez, who should've learned from his Lap-1 gaffe, didn't for a second relent when it came to the scrap with Williams' Sirotkin, leading to another crash. What Peres was up to at Singapore is something one cannot understand.

But it suffices to say that finishing sixteenth, well outside points, didn't help Peres or his team, who had an off day at the office.