Singapore GP: A Street Racing F1 Weekend Under the Lights at Marina Bay
Max Verstappen driving the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 during the F1 Singapore GP at Marina Bay Street Circuit. September 17, 2023. Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool.

The second leg of an unprecedented doubleheader sees Formula 1 arriving in Singapore fresh from a thrilling race weekend in Baku, where the McLaren of Oscar Piastri took victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Round 18 of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the Singapore Grand Prix, is held this weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, host to the first-ever night race in Formula 1 history (2008).

Since last year’s renovations, the circuit’s revised track layout spans 4.940 kilometers, featuring 19 demanding turns and 62 laps, one more than in previous editions.

A significant change was seen in the area comprising turns 16 to 19, replaced by a 400-meter straight in the final sector.

This season, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) added a fourth DRS zone between turns 14 and 16, intending to increase overtaking.

In addition, the sections between turns 3 and 9, 10 and 12, and 14 and 17 have been resurfaced, resulting in a smoother surface.

Among the characteristic quick direction changes of a street circuit, the proximity to walls poses an extra challenge, which over the years has become synonymous with Safety Car at the Singapore GP.

Running close to the walls, reaching top speeds in the long straights, where the margin for error is close to zero due to the short runoff areas, adds to the high temperatures and humidity levels that will test man and machine over the weekend under the floodlights.

Pirelli, the Formula 1 official tire supplier, has chosen to bring the dry weather compounds to the Marina Bay Street circuit, the C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium, and C5 as Soft.

Last weekend race winner McLaren F1 Oscar Piastri shared his thoughts on the upcoming venue, aiming to keep building upon momentum in Singapore.

After an incredible weekend securing my second Grand Prix win, I am ready to go for it again in Singapore,” asserted the Australian driver, standing fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.

It’s a shorter circuit but an incredibly demanding one for the drivers. We have a good rhythm going in the team, and we have to keep adding as many points as possible,” he added.

We got some decent points from Singapore last year. With a stronger car, we should be in a position to challenge. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going.”

Following the Azerbaijan GP, McLaren moved to the top of the standings in the Constructors’ Championship, the Woking outfit’s highest placing for a decade.

After a successful weekend in Baku, we head to Singapore and another street circuit,” outlined Andrea Stella, McLaren F1 Team Principal.

This is one of the more physically demanding races due to the high humidity. The team is prepared for such tricky conditions and will aim for another good weekend of points.”

We go into this weekend leading the Constructors’ Championship, but we must now work hard to keep hold of this position. We are encouraged by our performance and ready for the next seven races.”

Scuderia Ferrari Carlos Sainz crossed the finish line in first place last year, followed by McLaren Lando Norris and MercedesLewis Hamilton, completing the podium.

With seven races to go, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen leads with 313 points; Norris (254) and Scuderia Ferrari Charles Leclerc (235) continue to close the gap to the three-time Formula One world champion who has secured seven victories in a 24-race calendar.

Cecilia demartini
Sports Pundit staff writer @ceci_2812
Cecilia is a writer and journalist, passionate about motorsport and tennis.Her articles are published in newspapers and international online publications.

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