The latter phases of the grand prix at Marina Bay kicked into life when Esteban Ocon's stranded Alpine produced a virtual safety car, prompting the two Mercedes drivers to stop for a set of fresh medium tyres.
As George Russell and Lewis Hamilton hacked away at the leaders' advantage to bring themselves into winning contention, Sainz asked to be kept abreast of the gap to Norris so that he could reduce his gap out in front to keep his former team-mate in DRS range.
