As the climax of the season draws nearer and Max Verstappen continues to pile on the pressure at McLaren, the tension is also escalating in Singapore. The night race there has all the potential to turn into a nerve-wracking spectacle this Sunday (12:00 UTC).
Growing Tensions and Pressure on McLaren
The debacle in Singapore, with mistakes made on all sides, the constructors’ title still not secured, the healthy rivalry within the team, and a car that is no longer the fastest everywhere. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have certainly been feeling the heat in recent weeks. As if it wasn’t enough that they have to compete with each other for the championship, Verstappen has now also emerged as an outsider in the title race. This is being felt; from both drivers to Andrea Stella or Zak Brown – not a day goes by without McLaren being discussed in the media in relation to Verstappen. In Singapore, this time it was Norris who was thrown off balance by the Dutchman.
As early as Thursday, during media day, it became clear that the Brit does not particularly enjoy all the questions about his Dutch colleague. But that friendship was momentarily put aside during the final round of qualifying. There was tension in Singapore: Verstappen felt that Norris had driven unnecessarily slowly for too long, affecting his final fast lap. This led to remarks back and forth; Norris, in turn, had criticism for Red Bull.
Is Norris feeling the pressure? He has to chase Piastri, who not only leads him in the World Championship but also on the grid in Singapore. And Verstappen, the man who has been outperforming him for years, has also joined the fray. Moreover, the McLaren drivers are expected to secure the constructors’ title now. This could have been achieved in Singapore, but due to Piastri’s retirement and Norris’ P7, it didn’t happen. If McLaren scores 13 more points than Mercedes and 10 more than Ferrari on Sunday, the constructors’ title will be secured.
However, for Piastri, it all depends on how his race ends. If Max Verstappen again gains a significant number of points – 25 in the worst case scenario for the Australian – it would cast a shadow over any team celebration. Prior to the race, Piastri’s lead over Verstappen is 69 points, while Norris has 44 points more than the Dutchman.
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri discuss the qualification. The Dutchman finished second behind George Russell, while the Australian World Championship leader finished third.
Verstappen has nothing to lose
“I’ve been hearing that all week,” Verstappen said on Saturday, showing little sign of tension when he was once again reminded that he has never won in Singapore. But rarely has there been a better time than now. A victory would give his title chances another boost – it could even be his third consecutive GP victory this season. The idea that he could compete for the win on a circuit like this was unthinkable until recently.
And there’s no pressure. Only the pressure he puts on himself, but as a four-time world champion, he can handle that well. Could title number five be on the horizon? It would be remarkable. But if not, Verstappen has nonetheless maximized a initially challenging season for Red Bull. So, he has nothing to lose in the upcoming races. Starting with today’s race. He can only win.
Russell: The Dark Horse?
While the focus is understandably on the on-track battle between McLaren and Max Verstappen, George Russell might just be the dark horse in Singapore. His pole position, a feat few saw coming, is not to be overlooked. Mercedes has shown impressive speed on this circuit, as evidenced by teammate Kimi Antonelli’s P4. However, the real test will be the race itself. If Russell can secure his second victory of the year – following his win in Canada – it would mean he will fiercely defend his leading position against competitors like Verstappen (P2).
Heat and Strategy
As with every year, the Singapore Grand Prix is not just a test of nerve but also a physical endurance race for Verstappen and his peers. The heat, coupled with a humidity of 70 to 80 percent, is a formidable challenge. This year, drivers have the option to wear a cooling vest during the race to prevent overheating. However, some drivers, including Verstappen and Hadjar, have expressed discomfort with the vest and prefer not to wear it. They will instead carry the weight of the vest in the car as extra ballast. Regardless of whether they wear the vest or not, the conditions will undoubtedly have an impact.
And what about the strategy? “In principle, one pit stop should suffice,” said Mario Isola from Pirelli in a preview on Saturday. Does that mean it will be a dull race? Not at all! The close proximity of the walls in Singapore means a safety car is never far away, opening up a range of strategic possibilities. The true nature of these strategies, from conservative to ultra-bold, will likely only become clear during the race. One thing is certain: the race promises to be a spectacle!
Additional Facts
…the circuit is 4940 meters long
…there are 62 laps in the race
…the chance of a safety car is 83 percent
…it’s 168 meters from the start to turn 1
…there were 62 overtaking maneuvers last year
