Drafting the Circuits

Formula 1 Report

Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Preview

By Steve Aibel

@steveaibel

Lewis Hamilton will chase history this week in Singapore as round 13 of the Formula 1 Championship moves far from Europe to Singapore in Asia. Hamilton currently sits in 4th position all time with 40 race wins in Formula 1. His next win will tie him for 3rd position with Sebastian Vettel and Ayrton Senna. If Hamilton’s 41st win comes in Singapore, he will have achieved his 41 wins in the same number of races, as did Senna.

Hamilton's next win will match Vettel and Senna

Hamilton’s next win will match Vettel and Senna

Hamilton will be highly motivated to earn this win and extend his championship lead over teammate Nico Rosberg. With 53 points in hand, Lewis Hamilton is in a commanding position to land his 3rd F1 Driver’s Championship. In 2014, Hamilton dominated this segment of the race season with wins in Singapore, Japan, Russia, USA and Abu Dhabi. Only a Rosberg win in Brazil interrupted Hamilton’s run of race wins. Rosberg will need to do a lot better this year if he is to mount a challenge.

Lewis Hamilton is making a case for greatness

Lewis Hamilton is making a case for greatness

The Singapore event is a night race, which brings a whole host of challenges for the race teams. While the previous round in Italy is usually one of the shorter races of the season, the race at Marina Bay is often one of the longer races.

And is also hot and humid!

The Grand Prix in Singapore is run through the center of the city and has been on the calendar starting in 2008 as the first night race in Formula 1. Marina Bay also is unique in that most street circuits are narrow windy spider webs that don’t always allow a Formula 1 car to stretch its legs. Marina Bay has four long straights, two of which allow the cars to exceed 180 miles per hour. So this track is a huge showcase for all that Formula 1 brings in terms of speed and pageantry…and did we mention the heat!

Formula 1 Racing at night is all the spectacle magnified 1000%

Formula 1 Racing at night is all the spectacle magnified 1000%

The Singapore race will also be the first race since Hungary where the horsepower driven Mercedes cars are not at a huge advantage. Red Bull Racing and McLaren have been targeting this race as one where they will not be at a disadvantage due to their weaker power units. McLaren have been working hard to improve their power unit and they have said there has been improvement. Singapore will give an indication as to whether Honda has made any significant improvement to their power unit. They have said that their unit is more powerful than Renault. If they have made a gain, they will be able to showcase it here.

McLaren have promised improved performance, but we have not seen this.

McLaren have promised improved performance, but we have not seen this.

And speaking of Renault and Red Bull, it will be interesting to see what sort of relationship the two companies maintain for the remainder of the season. Red Bull has made it very clear that they are sailing their own course, and Renault has made it clear that they are looking at changing their involvement in Formula 1. If the deal with Lotus materializes, then Renault will set the plate for a whole new silly season where engines, drivers and partnerships are thrown into disarray.

Who will supply engines to Red Bull Racing?

Who will use Renault power?

Who will drive the Renault/Lotus cars?

What will happen to Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado?

Stay tuned! There is always something a draw us in with Formula 1.

Singapore may truly be a turning point for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Rosberg is on the precipice and he needs to carve into Hamilton’s lead now if he is to retain his championship hopes. These back-to-back races in Singapore and Japan will show us whether we still have a championship fight or if we are to look toward to 2016.

Drivers’ Championship

  1. Lewis Hamilton 252
  2. Nico Rosberg 199
  3. Sebastian Vettel 178
  4. Felipe Massa 97
  5. Kimi Raikkonen 92
  6. Valtteri Bottas 91
  7. Daniil Kvyat 58
  8. Daniel Ricciardo 55
  9. Romain Grosjean 38
  10. Sergio Perez 33
  11. Nico Hulkenberg 30

 

 

  1. Max Verstappen 26
  2. Felipe Nasr 16
  3. Pastor Maldonado 12
  4. Fernando Alonso 11
  5. Carlos Sainz Jr. 9
  6. Marcus Ericsson 9
  7. Jenson Button 6

 

Constructors’ Championship

  1. Mercedes 451
  2. Ferrari 270
  3. Williams 188
  4. Red Bull 113
  5. Force India 63
  6. Lotus 50
  7. Toro Rosso 35
  8. Sauber 25
  9. McLaren 17
  10. Manor/Marussia 0