Singapore is thought to be the most difficult occasion on the F1 calendar; Max Verstappen is but to win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit; watch all classes from the Singapore GP dwell on Sky Sports F1 beginning this Friday, with the race on Sunday at 1pm
Formula 1 is onerous at the better of occasions however the Singapore Grand Prix is physically the most demanding occasion on the calendar and has thrown up some beautiful performances too.
Since 2008, F1 have been racing underneath the lights round the Marina Bay Street Circuit. As it is a avenue circuit, driving near the partitions typically means you go quicker. However, it is really easy to go over the restrict and find yourself in the wall.
Red Bull remarkably stay unbeaten in 2023 and Max Verstappen is on an unprecedented run of 10 consecutive wins. A serious purpose for this unimaginable success is Red Bull’s errors, or lack of, as they’ve operationally been wonderful.
But, if there is one track the place they may very well be caught out, it is Singapore. In reality, all of it went flawed for Verstappen final yr in Qualifying and the Grand Prix, so can he make amends for that 12 months on?
Why has Verstappen not gained in Singapore?
Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Red Bull typically have not had the automobile to beat in Singapore, which is the major purpose why Verstappen hasn’t gained there.
In 2017, the Dutchman began on the entrance row however was caught in the center of Ferrari pair Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel on the run all the way down to Turn One.
A yr later, Lewis Hamilton produced an excellent Q3 lap to take pole place and managed the race from Verstappen, who needed to settle for second.
Ferrari surprisingly took a one-two in 2019, with Verstappen in third and the Covid-19 pandemic meant there was no Singapore Grand Prix for the following two years.
Max Verstappen had a weekend to neglect final yr in Singapore following a fuel-shortage blunder in qualifying and an error-filled race the place he completed seventh.
Last season, Verstappen was the large favorite however a collection of operational errors in Q3 meant he began eighth. Having appeared unbeatable in the opening two components of Qualifying, Verstappen aborted his penultimate lap in Q3 as a way to be the final driver throughout the line, however was then instructed to field in his last lap as a result of he did not have sufficient gas. Both of these flying laps have been adequate for pole.
In the race, he tried to overhaul Lando Norris going into Turn 7, however locked up closely and was pressured to pit for recent tyres, subsequently ending seventh.
‘Like you’re in a sauna on a spinning bike’
All the drivers say Singapore is the hardest occasion of the yr because of the warmth, humidity and demanding track. It’s so scorching, that the drivers’ cool drink turns into consuming a scorching tea after just some laps in the race.
Nico Rosberg, who gained the 2016 Singapore Grand Prix, describes the depth of the hardest race on the calendar.
“I would lose eight pounds (3.6kg) of bodyweight from sweating. It’s like you’re in a skiing suit, while sitting on asphalt which is 45 degrees. Then you have the petrol right behind you, which is 65 degrees, so it’s extremely hot,” Rosberg stated on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.
“There’s no recent air coming in, you’ve the seatbelts actually tight and the carbon seat moulded to your physique, so you possibly can hardly breathe correctly.
Ted Kravitz discusses the sustainable gas that is coming to F1 in 2026.
“Corner after nook the place it’s important to maintain your breath in the corners, you possibly can’t breathe once you’re cornering since you maintain your breath.
“I bear in mind after 10 laps I might have a look at the pit board and it could say ’50 laps to go’ and I’m pondering ‘I’m achieved. I’m 10 laps in and there’s 50 to go’. It’s so horrible the feeling in the automobile, it is like you’re in a sauna on a spinning bike for two hours.
“Your head is starting to pump within the helmet, your sweat is dripping down on the eyes and burning. It’s incredibly tough.”
Will Red Bull’s streak come to an finish?
Jenson Button offers his ideas on Lewis Hamilton’s newest feedback on Max Verstappen’s driving companions, in addition to taking a look at the future for Lando Norris.
Red Bull have gained all 14 races in 2023 however have come underneath stress on the greater downforce tracks, significantly over one lap. Think Monaco when Verstappen was pressured to drive the wheels off his automobile to grab pole from Fernando Alonso, or Hamilton taking prime spot in Hungary with a mighty lap.
Singapore is all about mechanical grip and traction, two key areas the subject are a lot nearer to Red Bull. Ferrari confirmed that at Monza in Qualifying as they not solely had sturdy straight line pace, however the drivers might stand on the throttle out of the slower corners with loads of confidence.
Aston Martin ought to be again in podium competition too with their nice change of course and a automobile that turns very effectively in the low-speed corners.
The pole sitter has gained eight of the 13 Singapore Grand Prix and overtaking is notoriously tough, so a spectacular efficiency from considered one of the Mercedes, Ferrari or Aston Martin drivers in Qualifying, thus giving them track place, may put Red Bull on the backfoot.
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff questions whether or not Max Verstappen would maintain any significance to setting a brand new report of ten consecutive Grand Prix wins.
“Singapore is such a difficult track. It’s a track with one of the most corners of the year, it’s never-ending, corner after corner. It’s really difficult to get the setup right and get the tyres working properly,” stated Rosberg.
“Maybe we can have some surprises with some teams going extremely well. I think it’s going to be refreshing.”
New Singapore layout
There have been just a few tweaks to the Marina Bay Street Circuit layout since its inception in 2008 however this yr sees the largest change as 4 corners have been eliminated in the last sector.
The building of multi-purpose out of doors venue NS Square means Turns 16, 17, 18 and 19 have been eliminated, so the track will not go underneath the grandstand in the direction of the finish of the lap.
Instead, there can be a straight from Turn 15 to the outdated Turn 20 and 21 chicane (which can now be the Turn 16 and 17 chicane). This will put much less stress on the tyres and give the drivers a little bit of a breather too.
Nevertheless, Singapore is nonetheless so powerful and a track that can critically punish anybody who is not on their recreation.
Sky Sports F1’s dwell Singapore GP schedule
Friday September 15
10am: Singapore GP Practice One (session begins at 10.30pm)
1.45pm: Singapore GP Practice Two (session begins at 2pm)
3.30pm: The F1 Show
Saturday September 16
10.15am: Singapore GP Practice Three (session begins at 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: Singapore GP Qualifying
3.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday September 17
11.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP response
4pm: Ted’s Notebook
Next up for the F1 circus are the beautiful streets of Singapore underneath the lights. All classes from the Singapore GP can be dwell on Sky Sports F1 from September 15-17. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel anytime