The Singapore GP is one of the hottest races on the Formula 1 calendar. The sweltering temperatures turn the heat up for both the track and the drivers. Staying cool and keeping cool are two separate things as this circuit brings both heat and drama. It is very unlikely that the safety car streak will continue after this Sunday’s race.
At last year’s Grand Prix, we saw Carlos Sainz take first place. The year before, Sergio Perez. Redbull’s other driver, Max Verstappen, however, has not won here. Even during his record-breaking season last year where he won 19 races, the Dutch driver failed to win on the streets of Singapore.
Will we finally see the Safety Car again during the Singapore GP?
In 2008, Formula 1 reintroduced the Singapore Grand Prix and since then there has not been a race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit where all drivers on the grid have finished the race. We are currently on a 7 race streak of no safety car but the Singapore Grand Prix is on track to end that. The 2023 Singapore Grand Prix started with 19 drivers after Lance Stroll was not able to start. By the end, we lost another four drivers to collisions, power unit issues, and overheating.
IT’S RACE WEEK!!🤩
We head to Marina Bay Street Circuit this weekend for the Singapore Grand Prix 🇸🇬
With McLaren taking a 20-point lead over Red Bull in the WCC, the fight is officially on with 7 races to go💪#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/s4c0ovMHXb
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 16, 2024
This street race has solidified itself into a showstopping race. Since 2008, we have seen the safety car deployed at every race. Last year there were two safety cars and in 2022, there were 5 safety car periods. Using the last 7 years’ data, a safety car is 99% likely to come out at this year’s race breaking the streak of the past 7 races.
How hot will the Singapore Grand Prix be this weekend?
While the forecast is still being predicted, it is showing chances of rain with the high being 32 and the low being 26. Even if it does not rain, humidity will play a factor. The Singapore Grand Prix is often called the most demanding track as the drivers have to deal with the extreme heat and exhaustion. This is one of the reasons the race is held at night.
In an interview with Sky Sports, 2016 World Driver Champion Nico Rosberg said that he “would lose eight pounds (3.6kg) of body weight from sweating“. Despite it being a night race, the cockpit of the car is said to only drop a few degrees.
More ice bath content for your feed 😉#Alpine #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/asxjVeDFtS
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) September 15, 2023
With the track being hot, the drivers are going to have to be careful with their tyre strategies to make sure they don’t overheat. Due to a long pitlane, drivers may decide to adopt a one-stop strategy.
With the strong chance of a safety car, the drivers may plan on waiting until then to pit. Do you think they will be able to manage their tyres? Or do you think precious positions and points be lost?
