The Singapore Grand Prix will host Spherical 17 of the 2026 Method 1 season this weekend, marking the final leg of a triple header sequence of races.
Because the Dash format makes its ultimate look of the marketing campaign, Free Observe 1 and Dash Qualifying will happen on Friday, October 9, adopted by the Dash and Qualifying on Saturday, October 10, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, October 11.
Important statistics
First Grand Prix – 2008
Observe Size – 4.927km
Lap report – 1m 33.808s, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 2025
Most pole positions – Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton (4)
Most wins – Sebastian Vettel (5)
Trivia – Because of the bodily calls for of the local weather and circuit, drivers can lose as a lot as 3kg in physique weight over the course of a race in Singapore
Pole run to Flip 1 braking level – 198 metres
Overtakes accomplished in 2025 – 58
Security Automotive likelihood – 67%*
Digital Security Automotive likelihood – 33%*
Pit cease time loss – 22.44 seconds
*From the final six races in Singapore
The motive force’s verdict
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Marina Bay is an extended, complicated circuit, and draining as properly – a bit of bit like Monaco – with loads of bumps. It’s all in regards to the low-speed and having first rate turn-in with out shedding the rear or struggling snaps of oversteer.
There are nonetheless 19 corners after the removing of the Turns 16-19 part, which has develop into an extended straight, and in the direction of the tip of the lap you’re beginning to fear about your rear tyres overheating, significantly for those who’ve not been form to them earlier on.
Braking is especially difficult at Flip 7, the place it’s straightforward to run huge. The newer Singapore Sling by means of Turns 10 and 11 can be a type of ones that may lure you into going too deep, usually catching drivers out.
Coming over the bridge, the place you brake to the precise after which flip to the left, induces lock-ups, whereas a number of traction occasions imply you’re spiking rear tyre temperatures – and there’s an emphasis on rear grip right here.
An enormous quantity of focus is required for this circuit and Grand Prix. You may lose a couple of kilos of liquid throughout the race, so hydration is the order of the day. Monaco may be the one venue with a slower common velocity, however Singapore will be an absolute slog.
Tyre and technique perception
“Observe evolution can be important over the course of the weekend,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview. “Intermittent rainfall, typical of the equatorial local weather, will even affect grip ranges and might alter circumstances from one session to the following.
“As is well-known, the race takes place at evening, with observe temperatures ranging between 30 and 35C. Below these circumstances, the tyres are likely to function inside their working window with none explicit overheating issues.
“Mechanical stress just isn’t particularly excessive and the anticipated degradation will primarily be linked to the traditional efficiency drop-off of the rear axle throughout traction phases. Graining and put on are additionally not anticipated to develop into limiting elements in race administration.
“For these causes, from a strategic perspective Singapore stays one of many races by which a one-stop technique is the popular possibility for groups, additionally contemplating the time misplaced within the pit lane and the frequent probability of neutralisations. Whereas laborious and medium are as soon as once more anticipated to be the reference compounds for the race, this yr the comfortable may obtain larger consideration on Sunday from a couple of workforce.
“The softest compound within the vary has demonstrated at Budapest, Monza and Baku, the place it was used, that it permits drivers to take care of a powerful tempo due to restricted degradation, whereas additionally providing a bonus when it comes to grip and confidence behind the wheel. These traits may show much more beneficial on a circuit reminiscent of Singapore, which can be identified for its important observe evolution.
“The most recent-generation automobiles additionally seem to make higher use of the softer compounds. Aerodynamic load, more practical temperature administration and the formulation of the present compounds enable the softer finish of the vary for use for longer and extra aggressive stints than prior to now.
“With this in thoughts, it will come as no shock to see the red-sidewalled tyre utilized in Saturday’s Dash or, extra usually, to witness extra in depth use of the C5 all through the weekend, inspired by the Dash format itself.”
Present kind
Whereas Kimi Antonelli needed to accept second final day trip on the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, the Italian noticed his lead on the high of the championship lengthen additional to a sizeable 84 factors following Mercedes workforce mate George Russell’s dramatic retirement within the latter phases.
Russell went on to counsel that his personal prospects for the title might now be over. Ordinarily the Briton may take coronary heart from the truth that the following cease on the calendar is Singapore – a venue the place he claimed each pole place and victory final yr – however bouncing again may show difficult this time as he’s set to take a grid penalty at Marina Bay.
The observe is among the few that Max Verstappen has by no means gained at, regardless of coming shut with a couple of P2 end. Nonetheless, after sealing a commanding first triumph of 2026 one week in the past in Malaysia, the Crimson Bull driver would arguably be in good stead to succeed in the highest step in Singapore ought to he and the workforce convey that stage of efficiency once more this weekend.
Elsewhere, Ferrari confirmed promise with a powerful restoration drive at Sepang after being amongst these to make the mistaken tyre name in the beginning of the race, whereas McLaren conceded that they had been missing tempo compared to their closest rivals. How will the pecking order amongst the highest 4 play out on the streets of Marina Bay?
Within the midfield battle, Racing Bulls strengthened their maintain on fifth place within the Groups’ Championship with one other double rating – one which noticed Arvid Lindblad rise from the again of the grid to P10 – whereas closest rivals Alpine discovered themselves additional down the order.
There was disappointment for Audi and Williams, with each lacking out on factors regardless of current upgrades, however Aston Martin boosted their tally close to the underside of the desk with a P8 end for Fernando Alonso – a consequence that can absolutely give the Silverstone-based outfit a lift after a difficult season.
Iconic second
Many a memorable second has performed out below the lights of the Marina Bay Avenue Circuit because it arrived on the F1 calendar again in 2008, however on this event we’re taking a visit again to 2019 to relive the ultimate victory of Sebastian Vettel’s record-breaking run on the circuit – which additionally proved to be his final win in Method 1.
The four-time World Champion had arrived into the weekend off the again of a disappointing efficiency on the Italian Grand Prix, the place a spin noticed him cross the road down in P13 whereas Ferrari workforce mate Charles Leclerc was victorious.
Leclerc once more appeared just like the favorite in Singapore after clinching pole place, however an early pit cease allowed Vettel to undercut the Monegasque – in addition to the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton – and put himself into the lead, a place he held by means of three Security Vehicles en path to the chequered flag.
It was an emotional and long-awaited go to to the highest step of the rostrum for Vettel, marking his first win of the season and including to his spectacular tally of 5 victories on the observe, greater than another driver.
Relive how Vettel’s race-winning technique performed out within the video beneath.
