Formula 1 travels to the brightly-lit streets of Marina Bay in Singapore for its only true night race. This street circuit has the unique distinction of having more turns than any other circuit on the F1 calendar, 23, and a 100% probability [to-date] of a safety car deployment. It is also known for hot and humid weather conditions that challenge both man and machine.
Toro Rosso enter the weekend buoyed by the prospects of racing on circuit that is less power-dependent, especially after not being as far behind as some feared on the recent 'power circuits’. One car in Q3 and one car in the points is a real possibility. The only reasons to hedge on a double points finish would be Brendon Hartley’s first time on the Marina Bay Circuit and the likelihood of a safety car puts everyone at risk.
Elsewhere on the grid, what appeared to be a noticeable Ferrari advantage has been given away by driver errors and poor strategy calls. We have to assume that Singapore will be an unpredictable battle between Merc. and Ferrari. After several tough races at the recent “power” circuits, Red Bull will be hungry to put themselves at the front of the pack; so expect one Red Bull on the podium. From there we can expect a Renault and a Haas battling it out for best-of-the-rest with the latter hoping it has solved low-speed issues with it’s aero package. Expect a Sauber and a Force India to be challenging each other for the next spots. McLaren will attempt to be a spoiler to that battle and they just might with Alonso at the wheel. One, if not both, Williams will be bringing up the rear.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1 – Friday, Sept. 14, 4:25 AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, Sept. 14, 8:25 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, Sept. 15, 5:55 AM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, Sept. 15, 8:55 AM – ESPN2
On The Grid – Sunday, Sept. 16, 7:30 AM – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, Sept. 16, 8:05 AM – ESPN2
Encore – Sunday, Sept. 16, 6:00 PM –
ESPNEWS
Encore – Sunday, Sept. 16, 10:30 PM – ESPN2
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 5.065km (3.147 miles)
Race laps: 61
Race distance: 308.828km (191.897 miles)
Pole position: Right-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’45.008 by Lewis Hamilton, 2017
Fastest lap: 1’39.491 by Sebastian Vettel, 2017
Maximum speed: 296kph (183.926 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and straight to turn seven
Distance from grid to turn one: 200m
Car performance
Full throttle: 46%
Longest flat-out section: 832m
Downforce level: Maximum
Gear changes per lap: 80
Fuel use per lap: 1.6kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.064s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 28.709s by McLaren
Tyre choices: Soft, Ultrasoft, Hypersoft (2017: Soft, Supersoft, Ultrasoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2017 RESULTS
Stats
Pole position: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:39.491
Race laps: 58
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:45.008
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 256
2. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 226
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 164
4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 159
5. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 130
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 118
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 52
8. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 49
9. Sergio Perez, Force India, 44
10. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 44
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 415
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 390
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 248
4. Renault Sport F1, 86
5. Haas, 76
6. McLaren Renault, 52
7. Toro Rosso, 30
8. Racing Point Force India, 28
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 19
10. Williams Martini Racing, 5
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