After winning his first grand prix in a year, a very hot and sweaty Fernando Alonso climbed onto the top step of the Singapore rostrum to listen to the Spanish national anthem and be handed his sparkling winner’s trophy.

However, there wasn’t a lot of enthusiasm present, no whoops and jumps of joy, but this wasn’t because the former world champion wasn’t happy, instead it was due to utter exhaustion after the extremely demanding 300 kilometre race.

"I was tired on the podium. I wasn't feeling like doing many gestures because I was a little bit weak,” he told the Spanish press. “This race was very long. In Monaco we do 260 kilometres and here we did 300. The water system wasn't working as usually happens in the most demanding races. On the podium I was seeing red spots and couldn't even recognise people. There were direct lights aimed straight at your eyes, so it was hard to enjoy.”