LEWIS HAMILTON feels relaxed rather than relieved after reclaiming the lead in the battle for this year’s Formula One world title.

In taking the chequered flag at the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton claimed victory number 29 of his Formula One career and his seventh of the season, two more than when he won his only title in 2008.

Championship rival and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg suffered his second retirement of the campaign – a wiring loom breaking in the steering of the German’s car, leaving him without a number of vital functions ahead of the start of F1’s only night race.

As the field filed away on the formation lap, Rosberg was left on the grid frantically attempting to engage his car into life.

It was to no avail, forcing his mechanics to rescue the 29-year-old and push him into the pit lane, from where he managed to get going.

But running 21st and last – Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi retired on the formation lap – he made little headway, even against the likes of Max Chilton and Marcus Ericsson.

After 14 laps, as he pulled in for his pit stop, the team’s bid to change the steering wheel and coax his car into some sort of fighting mode ultimately failed, and with it came retirement.

After a consoling hug from Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff in the garage, Rosberg then watched Hamilton win to take a three-point lead in the drivers’ championship.

It is only the second time this season Hamilton has had his nose in front, the other being for one race going into a highly-contentious Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton said: “I just feel relaxed. I came here to do a job, and I came through it without any issues on our side of the garage all weekend, which was a real blessing.

“I also came here hoping to gain seven points on Nico (the difference between first and second), with anything more than that a bonus.

“Of course, the extra points are a huge help, and you would think I should be relieved, but that’s not the case.

At the moment I’m not thinking that.”

Instead, Hamilton is more concerned with Mercedes’ reliability record that has now resulted in five mechanical retirements overall – three against him and two for Rosberg.