In the wake of Ferrari’s first one-two of the season Formula 1 Managing Director, Motorsport Ross Brawn, analyses the impact it might have on Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari, and looks at how the ongoing tussle between the Scuderia and champions Mercedes might lead to a more exciting 2020.

Vettel victorious

Twenty-three Grands Prix have gone by since we last saw Sebastian Vettel on the top step of the podium. The Ferrari driver has now won in Singapore five times, more than at any other track. More than this, the win also came at a track that was maybe the least suited to his Ferrari. But, in the end, in the sweltering Singapore night he claimed a somewhat unexpected but well deserved win.

Ferrari were the strongest in terms of single-lap pace in qualifying, and the team then did a very good job in what was clearly a very tactical race, especially in the first stint.

And surprise, surprise, it was Sebastian who made the most of the undercut, vaulting ahead of team-mate and early race leader Charles Leclerc and also Lewis Hamilton who had chosen to go as long as possible in his first stint. It was an important moment for the German who has been through a difficult period, especially in Monza when he was the member of the Ferrari team with little to smile about.

READ MORE: The Winners and Losers of the Singapore Grand Prix

It was also a morale booster for the entire team, starting with Mattia Binotto. Ferrari has clearly made progress with its car and the updates brought to Singapore had a marked effect on a circuit where downforce is key. The success of those updates bodes well for the team’s 2020 campaign as well.

On top of that, the win was inevitably a weight off Vettel’s back. It will restore confidence and also relieve some of the pressure resulting from Leclerc’s phenomenal progress and any affect that has had on dynamics within the team.

Though it may sound strange to say it, it was actually also important for Charles who was clearly unhappy with how the race played out. The Monegasque is hungry for wins, and so he should be, but in the long term even he will benefit from the fact the team will be much calmer now, with fewer distractions, and more able to concentrate on developing the car, which is a vital part of the preparation for next season.