The final third of the F1 season is a hectic world tour from East to West, ending in the Middle but beginning with the Singapore street race. Now in its 10th year, the night time extravaganza has captured both avid race fans and weekend party animals. Grab a cocktail, enjoy a concert, watch the fastest racing drivers in the world and dance the night away in a nearby club. The blend of ambitious Asian economy with Formula One glamour has been symbiotic and profitable on both sides, and we can expect an announcement of an extended deal this weekend
This event also presents a fascinating competitive challenge at a key stage in the championship. With more corners than any other circuit on the calendar, the emphasis is on chassis not engine. Red Bull have more podium results here than any other team, and having taken the pain of grid penalties in Monza, they should be fighting fit this weekend. Daniel Ricciardo has been second or third for the last three years at a venue that draws plenty of Australian fans and he's found a rich vein of form this season even if his team mate has generally been the faster qualifier. Relentless consistency is the key here, but it needs to be combined with a daring effort in qualifying. Only twice in nine events has this race not been won from pole position.
Talking of which, Vettel and Hamilton have each taken three poles here, but in terms of victories on the Marina Bay Circuit, Vettel beats Hamilton 4-2. On current season form Ferrari come into this one as favourites having taken 1-2 finishes in both Monaco and Hungary on similarly low average speed tracks, and Vettel took one of his wins here with the Scuderia in 2015. But it would be foolish to assume anything on this layout, where the key to performance lies in getting the tyres into their sweet spot. That was where Mercedes tripped up two years ago, and found themselves fifth and sixth on the grid, and it was where Hamilton struggled last year while Rosberg coaxed them perfectly and went on to take one of the most significant wins of his entire title winning campaign.
Squeezing the last ounce of performance out of the Ultra Soft tyre in qualifying, and then ensuring it lasts in the race will be more important than downforce levels or power unit strength, and that's why I think that Mercedes still have a very realistic shot at winning here. The lessons learnt from that painful 2015 event have not been forgotten, and while they haven't always prepared the tyres perfectly this year, I think they will be on the case this time. Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - they all have a shot at supremacy in Singapore and being such a tough and unpredictable race there might also be opportunities for others to shine. Esteban Ocon on his 21st birthday perhaps or Carlos Sainz now that his future is mapped out and his career is on the climb, or even McLaren Honda....
There's no easy formula for success on the flood-lit streets sweltering under a tropical night sky. In a city where cocktails are high on the menu, this weekend's Formula One race should supply a heady mix.
This event also presents a fascinating competitive challenge at a key stage in the championship. With more corners than any other circuit on the calendar, the emphasis is on chassis not engine. Red Bull have more podium results here than any other team, and having taken the pain of grid penalties in Monza, they should be fighting fit this weekend. Daniel Ricciardo has been second or third for the last three years at a venue that draws plenty of Australian fans and he's found a rich vein of form this season even if his team mate has generally been the faster qualifier. Relentless consistency is the key here, but it needs to be combined with a daring effort in qualifying. Only twice in nine events has this race not been won from pole position.
Talking of which, Vettel and Hamilton have each taken three poles here, but in terms of victories on the Marina Bay Circuit, Vettel beats Hamilton 4-2. On current season form Ferrari come into this one as favourites having taken 1-2 finishes in both Monaco and Hungary on similarly low average speed tracks, and Vettel took one of his wins here with the Scuderia in 2015. But it would be foolish to assume anything on this layout, where the key to performance lies in getting the tyres into their sweet spot. That was where Mercedes tripped up two years ago, and found themselves fifth and sixth on the grid, and it was where Hamilton struggled last year while Rosberg coaxed them perfectly and went on to take one of the most significant wins of his entire title winning campaign.
Squeezing the last ounce of performance out of the Ultra Soft tyre in qualifying, and then ensuring it lasts in the race will be more important than downforce levels or power unit strength, and that's why I think that Mercedes still have a very realistic shot at winning here. The lessons learnt from that painful 2015 event have not been forgotten, and while they haven't always prepared the tyres perfectly this year, I think they will be on the case this time. Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - they all have a shot at supremacy in Singapore and being such a tough and unpredictable race there might also be opportunities for others to shine. Esteban Ocon on his 21st birthday perhaps or Carlos Sainz now that his future is mapped out and his career is on the climb, or even McLaren Honda....
There's no easy formula for success on the flood-lit streets sweltering under a tropical night sky. In a city where cocktails are high on the menu, this weekend's Formula One race should supply a heady mix.
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