Nico Rosberg led from start to finish to win the Singapore Grand Prix and celebrate his 200th Formula One race by retaking the championship lead from Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton.

After a chaotic start that brought out a safety car on the opening lap, the German stayed clear of a late charging Daniel Ricciardo in a Red Bull at the Marina Bay Circuit as Hamilton fought back to third after a well-timed pit-stop enabled him to leapfrog Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in the closing stages.

It was Rosberg’s eighth win of the season and first at the Singapore circuit and this result sees him move eight points clear of his nearest rival Hamilton. Daniel Ricciardo is currently sitting third, 86 points further back.

Controversial win

The first Singapore Grand Prix, which took place in 2008, was soaked in controversy as the Marina Bay circuit was the scene of the infamous ‘crash-gate’ scandal which arguably cost Felipe Massa the championship. Spain’s Fernando Alonso held his nerve to win the race, but his Renault team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr later admitted that he purposefully crashed under team orders to bring out the safety car and enhance Alonso’s chances of winning.

Renault received a two-year suspended ban from the sport while the FIA agreed not to pursue action against Piquet in return for his role in uncovering the details of the scandal.