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BRIEFING F1: SINGAPORE GP



With the Singapore Grand Prix, the brief autumn Asian tour of Formula 1 comes to an end, ahead of a long, one-month break before the next race. From a logistical and race weekend management perspective, this decision seems rather unusual.


Ferrari has often found success on this circuit in recent years, and once again, the conditions seem favorable. However, what could have turned into a string of victories slipped away, partly due to an overly cautious strategy and a conservative race management by Leclerc in Baku. This situation brings to mind the missteps McLaren made during the first half of the season.


Baku confirmed that Ferrari can be competitive on street circuits, but it also represented a missed opportunity in the Constructors' Championship, particularly due to Sainz's late-race crash. For the Maranello team, the goal now is to fully exploit the favorable features of the Marina Bay track, where Ferrari seems to have good chances, just like McLaren, which is in top form and ready to challenge anyone for the Constructors' title.


In Baku, McLaren achieved an unexpected victory thanks to the bold driving of their “second” driver, who now seems to have assumed the role of the team’s lead driver. Singapore presents another opportunity for Norris to reopen the fight for the Drivers' Championship, while Red Bull, clearly struggling, might suffer once again. However, for Norris, every missed race makes the road to the title easier for Verstappen.


Red Bull tried to limit the damage in Azerbaijan, nearly reaching the podium with Pérez before his crash with Sainz. Pérez himself could redeem his season in Singapore, a track where he has often shined, if his car allows him to. Verstappen, on the other hand, is going through a rough patch, with inconsistent performances that could cost him, even though he still holds a 59-point lead over Norris.


Mercedes remains an uncertain factor. Their fluctuating performances in recent races, especially in qualifying, could prove problematic in Singapore, where starting further back on the grid is a significant disadvantage. However, if Mercedes shows renewed competitiveness, they could become yet another problem for Red Bull.


The Singapore circuit, with its many challenges, could provide opportunities for those fighting for points. Incidents and safety cars are common events and could flip the race script, offering unexpected results to those who qualify well and manage to stay out of trouble.


After Singapore, Formula 1 will pause for a long break, giving Red Bull a golden opportunity to regroup and solve the numerous issues plaguing their performance. While the Constructors' title seems out of reach, the Drivers' Championship is still firmly in Verstappen's hands, provided the RB20 regains its dominant early-season form. Some dream of Leclerc fighting for the title, but Verstappen's talent and Ferrari's weaknesses make this unlikely. If Norris loses the title by just a few points, it will mainly be due to his own shortcomings and those of his team — see the Hungarian Grand Prix.


A final reflection concerns the F1 (and MotoGP) calendar, now overloaded with events, in line with the growing trend of overexposure in professional sports.

Too many races risk diminishing the uniqueness of each event, making them feel more ordinary and overly dramatized for most fans. The motorsport leaders may be right in packing the calendar and maximizing profits, but for those who have followed the sport for years, the excitement has waned. We'll see what trends the future holds...



© Simone Marchetti

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