Written by Owen Bradley
Formula One returns to the fast but tight streets of the Marina Bay Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix. A circuit that has seen some renovations recently, as well as four DRS (Drag Reduction System) zones this year. In this article, you will find all of the session times and where you can watch the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit
A circuit that has seen 24 Safety Car deployments since the track first held a Formula One race back in 2008, the Marina Bay Circuit has played host to some iconic moments in F1’s recent history.
Who could forget perhaps one of the most controversial moments in F1 history, crashgate. Nelson Piquet Jr. revealed that in 2008, he had been told by Flavio Briatore, the team principal, to crash intentionally to bring out a Safety Car whilst teammate Fernando Alonso was in the lead, with Alonso benefitting from the incident and going ahead to win.
Another iconic moment came in 2013, when Sebastian Vettel managed to set a blisteringly quick lap at the start of Q3 to take pole position, not feeling the need to rejoin the session at the end. Ultimately, the four-time champion would officially take pole position whilst standing in the pit lane.
With 19 corners, 11 to the left and 8 to the right - navigation around the Marina Bay circuit is incredibly difficult, with a variety of long straights leading into tight, twisty corners. The main overtaking zones will likely be at Turn 1 and Turn 3, the front straight leading into the quick first left-hander, followed up by a slower, windier Turn 3 that allows cars to complete their overtake.
Turns 6 and 7 will likely be the most popular overtaking zone, on the longest straight at the circuit, leading into a relatively slow left-hander at Turn 7, cars will be assisted by DRS down the back straight, allowing for them to draw alongside one another heading into Turn 7.
If the cars are still duelling after Turn 7, which can be a familiar sight during a Singapore Grand Prix, then the incredibly slow Turn 8 right-hander will sort the drivers' position, as the circuit becomes much tighter in the middle sector.
The slow hairpin of Turn 13 is certainly a potential overtaking zone, despite many attempts going wrong in recent years, like when Sergio Perez attempted to dive up the inside of Alexander Albon in 2023, sending Albon wide and facing the outside barrier. Turn 13 will be difficult to make a pass at, but is not impossible.
A brief back straight following on from Turn 13 leads into the tight right-hander of Turn 14, another great opportunity for cars to make a move before leading onto the refurbished back straight with the left-hand Turn 15 kink, and flowing all the way through to the Turn 16 and 17 chicane, which is likely to be the last overtaking opportunity, with the straight once again being assisted by DRS.
Could Red Bull's problems become music to McLaren's ears around Singapore?
Red Bull are in a noticeable decline in performance at the moment, with Max Verstappen's last victory in F1 coming nearly three months ago. Things have declined at Red Bull so far, that they currently do not even lead the Constructor's Championship, with that honour going to McLaren after Oscar Piastri took victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
However, things may be about to get even worse for Red Bull, as the Milton Keynes based team had their worst performance of their dominant season in 2023, around the streets of Marina Bay. It looked to be the only circuit that Red Bull struggled at, with Max Verstappen leading as the top Red Bull for a fifth place finish, despite having drastically the best car on the grid.
If Red Bull are already enduring a tumultuous time, then the circuit that not even their best machine could take a victory at, could pose as a bad omen for things to come throughout the weekend.
On the contrary, McLaren have been going from strength to strength throughout the 2024 season, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both taking two victories a piece, with Norris even an outside threat for the overall championship, despite sitting at well over 50 points adrift from Verstappen.
McLaren and Ferrari have both taken victories around the street circuits so far, with Leclerc winning his home Monaco Grand Prix, and Oscar Piastri recently taking victory at Azerbaijan. The only other street circuit, in Saudi Arabia, was won by Max Verstappen very early into the season.
With both McLaren and Ferrari being the main challengers for glory at both Monaco and Azerbaijan, their most recent performances around street circuits will likely be the most crucial piece of data to look into.
Owen's Predictions
For the first time in months, I am predicting that we finally see that Safety Car to hopefully help spice up the strategies for drivers on the grid. There are also thunderstorms currently expected on Saturday, so a difficult Qualifying session might be in store for the drivers as well.
Ultimately, my prediction is that we see a very entertaining race between all of the McLaren's and Ferrari's. I'm predicting that Oscar Piastri will come out on top once again and take victory at Singapore, with Carlos Sainz beating Lando Norris for second place. I think it will also be a fight to stay inside the Top 10 for Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
Singapore Grand Prix Session Times - UK Time
Friday 20th September
FP1: 10:30 - 11:30
FP2: 14:00 - 15:00
Saturday 21st September
FP3: 10:30 - 11:30 Qualifying: 14:00 - 15:00
Sunday 22nd September
Singapore Grand Prix Start Time: 13:00
Where to Watch the F1 Singapore GP?
UK viewers can watch all the action on Sky Sports F1, or with NOW TV.
U.S viewers will be able to find the racing action on ESPN.
European and other global viewers can watch the Austrian Grand Prix on F1 TV.
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