Two thirds of the 2016 season have been run and two points separate the major protagonists as we approach the most unpredictable race of the season. Singapore provides the spectacular backdrop to the longest, most gruelling race of the year, and while spectators sip cocktails and limber up for A-list pop stars to gyrate on stage, in between concrete walls drivers are dancing on the edge of traction and trying to keep cool in the tropical night furnace. This event has it all, and like Monaco which it already rivals as one of the must-see and must-be-seen-at Grand Prix, the edginess of the challenge adds another layer of drama.
Qualifying is crucial here as it is in the Principality, but it is not impossible to overtake, particularly when allowing for differing tyre strategies. The Safety Car is a regular visitor, and the race can be turned on its head by an inconveniently scheduled crash. It rewards the very best drivers; only Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton have won on the Marina Bay Street circuit, but critical to any good performance is making the tyres work at their absolute peak, and that's where Mercedes fell down twelve months ago. Soon after Pirelli had introduced tough new measures for protecting the tyres after blow-outs at Spa in 2015, the normally dominant Brackley team completely failed to bring the super soft tyres to their peak; they paid the price as Ferrari hit the sweet spot and romped away with pole position and race victory.
This year, I don't see Mercedes being caught out quite so easily. Their tyre management has been superb this year, and on occasions when we thought they would be at the mercy of Ferrari's slightly less aggressive use of the rubber, they have confounded expectations and creamed the opposition. The Baku street track was a case in point, as was their pace in Austria, the last time we saw the new-for-2016 Ultra Soft tyres in use. But let's not forget that Daniel Ricciardo used those same tyres in Monaco to steal a thoroughly well deserved pole position and set himself up for victory until it all went wrong at the pit stop. This weekend really does provide Red Bull with a chance, and their record here is impressive; at least one driver on the podium at every race since 2010, a total of three wins, and in Ricciardo a driver who has just one place to go after finishing third then second in the last two years. Add in a significant Aussie dimension to the crowd as they take advantage of one of their closer events, and Sunday could be quite a night for the Honey Badger.
Mind you, he'll have to fend off his feisty team mate who fought his way from the back of the field to finish eighth here last year in a Toro Rosso and stubbornly ignored team orders en route. Max Verstappen may have blown his chances in Monaco with an over-ambitious approach, but he'll have learnt from that, and will relish his chance. Red Bull were pegged back by Ferrari at Monza, and Vettel's affinity with this track is astonishing, but even so it's hard to see a repeat of last year's impressive win unless the night-time stars suddenly realign.
On the other hand, anything can happen. This has to be the most open race of the year so far and predicting a winner is satisfyingly difficult. So, let’s not bother and just enjoy the show.
Qualifying is crucial here as it is in the Principality, but it is not impossible to overtake, particularly when allowing for differing tyre strategies. The Safety Car is a regular visitor, and the race can be turned on its head by an inconveniently scheduled crash. It rewards the very best drivers; only Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton have won on the Marina Bay Street circuit, but critical to any good performance is making the tyres work at their absolute peak, and that's where Mercedes fell down twelve months ago. Soon after Pirelli had introduced tough new measures for protecting the tyres after blow-outs at Spa in 2015, the normally dominant Brackley team completely failed to bring the super soft tyres to their peak; they paid the price as Ferrari hit the sweet spot and romped away with pole position and race victory.
This year, I don't see Mercedes being caught out quite so easily. Their tyre management has been superb this year, and on occasions when we thought they would be at the mercy of Ferrari's slightly less aggressive use of the rubber, they have confounded expectations and creamed the opposition. The Baku street track was a case in point, as was their pace in Austria, the last time we saw the new-for-2016 Ultra Soft tyres in use. But let's not forget that Daniel Ricciardo used those same tyres in Monaco to steal a thoroughly well deserved pole position and set himself up for victory until it all went wrong at the pit stop. This weekend really does provide Red Bull with a chance, and their record here is impressive; at least one driver on the podium at every race since 2010, a total of three wins, and in Ricciardo a driver who has just one place to go after finishing third then second in the last two years. Add in a significant Aussie dimension to the crowd as they take advantage of one of their closer events, and Sunday could be quite a night for the Honey Badger.
Mind you, he'll have to fend off his feisty team mate who fought his way from the back of the field to finish eighth here last year in a Toro Rosso and stubbornly ignored team orders en route. Max Verstappen may have blown his chances in Monaco with an over-ambitious approach, but he'll have learnt from that, and will relish his chance. Red Bull were pegged back by Ferrari at Monza, and Vettel's affinity with this track is astonishing, but even so it's hard to see a repeat of last year's impressive win unless the night-time stars suddenly realign.
On the other hand, anything can happen. This has to be the most open race of the year so far and predicting a winner is satisfyingly difficult. So, let’s not bother and just enjoy the show.