Singapore Grand Prix: Podium Example

The Singapore Grand Prix returns after a three-year hiatus caused by Covid-19. With the outbreak of the pandemic, authorities have imposed strict restrictions, some of which are still in place but do not prevent the race. From August 29, tourists no longer have to self-isolate for seven days, but on presentation of a vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test. For the fall of 2022, the restrictions are very strict, but in Singapore they are proud that the pandemic did not do much damage to the city-state.

The promoters did not agree to hold the race with empty stands. Some of the circuit’s buildings were temporarily repurposed as a Covid-19 testing center and hospital for those who tested positive. After that, the hospital was removed and the years lost were taken into account in the contract extension. With financial support from the Ministry of Tourism, the Singapore Grand Prix will run until at least 2028.

All tickets for the Singapore Grand Prix are sold out. The stage, like many this season, will be held with a full house – the trend is positive. The Formula 1 audience is growing, including young people. Bernie Ecclestone has been pushing for this for years, but refused to share rights, and Liberty Media found experienced managers and acted more flexibly.

A lot has changed since the last time Formula 1 came to Singapore. A spectacular night stage appeared in Jeddah, setting the bar high – both in terms of the television image, but above all – in the real and risky battle in the race. Now the Singapore Grand Prix organizers have to find something to answer, although their ability to maneuver on the city circuit is very limited.

In Singapore it is impossible to overtake. And cars built to 2022 regulations, which make it easier to chase rivals, won’t help here. They are even heavier and wider, so the success factors remain the same: a successful qualification, a good start and an effective strategy.

Friday and Saturday are beautiful and interesting, especially qualifying, but the race almost always proves unbearable – both for the riders, who race each other for almost two full hours in conditions more akin to a Finnish sauna, and for the spectators watching the. This is usually the longest race of the season.

It rains and thunders almost every day in Singapore in September, but the asphalt dries up in the early morning and afternoon. It wasn’t until 2017 that the race started in the rain, which sparked extra interest and led to many retirements, but so far this has been the only exception.

There was one other exception: in 2008, the deliberate accident of Nelson Pique Jr., organized by Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and technical director Pat Symonds, led to Fernando Alonso’s victory. The ensuing scandal led to the excommunication of Briatore and Symonds, but now they are at the helm of Formula 1 and Alonso continues to race.

At the end of the season, Formula 1 will leave Sebastian Vettel. He won his last – 53rd career win at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2019. Exactly three years ago, driving a Ferrari.

After that there was another bad season at the Scuderia and two at Aston Martin – Vettel has only made it to the podium twice over the years – with Ferrari in Turkey’2020 and with Aston Martin in Azerbaijan’21.

After leaving Red Bull, Sebastian was unable to regain his former confidence, winning four championship titles behind the wheel of a car built by Adrian Newey. Cars with a stable rear that drives as if it were on rails. The Germans no longer had such cars. Now Max Verstappen wins on Newey’s cars, who under certain circumstances could win the title in Singapore ahead of schedule.

It will be Newey’s 12th title and 11th Constructors’ Championship.

PS Interestingly, Kevin Magnussen has two career best laps, both in Singapore in 2018 and 2019.