Sergio Perez earns crucial points for Force India in Singapore GP

Singapore: Sergio Perez drove a fine race to finish seventh for Sahara Force India even as his teammate Nico Hulkenberg retired early following a collision in the Singapore Grand Prix, here on Sunday.

Starting 13th in the grid, Perez drove a calculated race to garner six crucial points for the Silverstone-based team, close on the heels of the double points finish at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month.

But it was sad ending for Hulkenberg in the other Force India car as he had to retire in the 13th lap following a collision with Williams' Felipe Massa.

In fact, Hulkenberg has been given a three-place grid penalty for next weekend's Grand Prix in Japan for causing a collision with Massa.

Hulkenberg came together with Massa on lap 13 as the Williams exited the pit lane. While Massa was able to continue, the Force India was pitched into the air and side on into the wall, causing its German driver's instant retirement.

It took the Singapore stewards just six minutes from the time they announced their investigation into the incident to decide that Hulkenberg was at fault, reaching their verdict without feeling the need to speak to either driver.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel registered his third victory of the season - and his fourth in Singapore - after controlling an incident-packed race at Marina Bay, which witnessed two safety-car interventions.

Vettel beat Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo by 1.4s, with Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen finishing third to hand Ferrari their first double podium since 2013.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton retired for the first time in 2015 after technical problems on his Mercedes.

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg finished fourth ahead of Williams' Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat. Force India's Perez was seventh, followed by the Toro Rosso duo of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. Sauber's Felipe Nasr completed the points finishers.

The Vijay Mallya-owned Force India continue to occupy the fifth position in the constructor's standings with 69 points, 19 more than sixth placed Lotus.