Singapore Grand Prix: Will Verstappen wrap up the title on Sunday?

Formula One ventures into Singapore for the first time since the pandemic with the possibility of crowning a champion after this year’s night race.

Singapore ready to light up 

Singapore was first visited in 2008 and quickly established itself as a firm favourite of the paddock. The grand prix starts at 8pm locally, which allows everyone to remain on European time for the race weekend.

The circuit is renowned as one of the most physically tough races for drivers and teams. The weather in Singapore is generally hot and humid, while the Marina Bay Street Circuit features 23 corners with little room for mistakes given the close proximity of the walls. 

As the lap has the slowest average speed of the season, a grand prix can reach the two-hour limit in Singapore. The quickest race in the city took an hour and 51 minutes to complete, meaning it was significantly longer than the standard hour and 30 minute race distance. 

The pandemic caused the event’s cancellation in both 2020 and 2021, but Formula 1 is ready to return to Singapore after a three-year wait with a fresh deal through 2028 that was agreed during the pause. 

Champion in waiting?

Singapore’s grand prix presents reigning world champion Max Verstappen with his first chance to win his second title. If he takes the opportunity it would be the second-earliest title-clincher in history with five rounds still left to run when the chequered flag falls on Sunday.

However, Verstappen’s odds of wrapping the title up here are relatively slim. The Belgian-Dutch driver must stretch his title advantage from 116 points to 138 in order to be mathematically assured. That means he must effectively win, with Charles Leclerc finishing ninth or lower, as well as a range of permutations that also involves Sergio Perez and George Russell. 

Max Verstappen: has proved unbeatable of late and could wrap up the title at Singapore

Yet Verstappen enters the weekend in a rich vein of form. The Red Bull racer has won the last five races, despite starting from seventh, tenth and 14th in that period, which highlights his - and his team's - current purple patch. 

He has now won 11 grands prix this year, just two off the record of the most victories in one season that is currently jointly held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, and he still has six opportunities to add to his tally. 

Vettel’s venue

Singapore has been a happy hunting ground for Vettel. The four-time champion has claimed five victories here, including his last appearance at the event’s most recent running in 2019. 

Now with Aston Martin, Vettel’s prospects of a sixth in Singapore are slim-to-none, but keep an eye out for him in the midfield as he challenges for points at a circuit where he thrives. 

Lewis Hamilton has scored four wins in Singapore, but he and Mercedes remain without a victory this season - even this far into the year it’s hard to predict how their W13 will respond to different circuits. Fernando Alonso (twice) is the only other active driver to have claimed victory here.  

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