Singapore F1 Grand Prix 2023: A race of surprises and certainties

Author: Shreyas Sharma

The 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix is not just another race on the calendar; it is a turning point in a season that has been overwhelmingly dominated by Red Bull Racing. Team boss Helmut Marko said that a win here could set the stage for an outright victory this season. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Max Verstappen, the team’s star driver, is particularly motivated to win, especially after narrowly missing out on first place last year. The new track layout, with a long straight in the third sector, seems to have been tailor-made for Red Bull’s strengths. The car’s efficiency in low-speed sections gives them a significant advantage, making Verstappen the man to beat.

Weather conditions

The weather conditions for the Singapore Grand Prix are expected to be quite challenging, adding another layer of complexity to the race. With a 50% chance of precipitation and the possibility of thunderstorms, the teams and drivers will have to be prepared for a wet race. These conditions can significantly affect tire strategies and race pace, potentially leveling the playing field and offering an opportunity for surprises.

The battle for the podium

Although Red Bull is the undisputed favorite, the battle for the other podium places is open and promises to be very tight. Mercedes and McLaren have shown impressive performance on tracks with similar characteristics to Singapore, such as the Hungaroring and Zandvoort. Both teams have the technical prowess and strategic acumen to challenge Red Bull, at least for a podium finish. Aston Martin is another team to watch. After a good performance at Zandvoort, the team underperformed at Monza. However, the Singapore track could be a strong point for them, making them an underdog in the race for the podium.

Who can beat Max Verstappen?

The million-dollar question ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix is: Who has what it takes to beat Max Verstappen? The Dutch driver is in great shape, but he’s not invincible. Mercedes and McLaren have the technical ability to challenge him, especially if they can exploit the weaknesses in Red Bull’s set-up. What’s more, the FIA’s new technical guideline on flexible wings could be a wild card that shakes up the qualifying order. Teams will be under scrutiny to comply with these new regulations, and any slip-up could have significant consequences. This could be the opportunity Mercedes or McLaren need to close the gap and possibly overtake Verstappen.

Permutations for the title win

The 2023 Formula 1 season has reached a critical juncture with Singapore, a race that could decide one of the two titles up for grabs this year. Max Verstappen, the prodigious talent who leads the drivers’ championship, has built up an impressive 145-point lead over his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. With 12 wins in 14 races, Verstappen’s dominance is unquestionable. However, the title is not his yet. With eight Grand Prix and three Sprints remaining, a total of 232 points are still on the table. This means that Verstappen cannot mathematically secure his third consecutive title in Singapore. The earliest he could win the title would be at the Japanese Grand Prix, provided he left with a lead of 180 points or more over Pérez.

In the constructors’ standings, Red Bull is in an even more dominant position. They lead their closest rivals, Mercedes, by an incredible 310 points. A second place in Singapore, along with the fastest lap, could seal a second consecutive constructors’ title, provided Mercedes score one point or less. Considering Red Bull’s average score of 42 points on race day, compared to Mercedes’ 19.5, the likelihood of Red Bull winning the title in Singapore is high.

The end of the season is shaping up to be a showcase for Red Bull, but the mathematical possibilities keep the championship alive. Verstappen’s title will probably be decided in Qatar, while Red Bull’s constructors’ title could be decided in Singapore, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2023 F1 season.

The underdogs and the fighters

Ferrari, a team with a remarkable history in F1, is expected to struggle in Singapore. The low-speed nature of the track and the highly abrasive surface are not conducive to the car’s current configuration. It’s quite possible that the team will be relegated to fifth place among the fastest, a far cry from its performance at Monza. On the other hand, Williams has been the surprise of the season. With Alex Albon at the helm, the team scored points in the two races after the summer break. Her adaptability to different types of track makes her a formidable competitor in midfield.

Previous winners in Singapore F1

• 2022: Perez (Red Bull), Leclerc (Ferrari), Sainz (Ferrari)
• 2019: Vettel (Ferrari), Leclerc (Ferrari), Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2018: Hamilton (Mercedes), Verstappen (Red Bull), Vettel (Ferrari)
• 2017: Hamilton (Mercedes), Ricciardo (Red Bull), Bottas (Mercedes)
• 2016: Rosberg (Mercedes), Ricciardo (Red Bull), Hamilton (Mercedes)