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 closing look of the marketing campaign, Free Follow 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 document – 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 Automobile chance – 67%*
- Digital Security Automobile chance – 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 a protracted, 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 respectable turn-in with out dropping the rear or struggling snaps of oversteer.
There are nonetheless 19 corners after the elimination of the Turns 16-19 part, which has grow to be a protracted straight, and in direction of the top of the lap you’re beginning to fear about your rear tyres overheating, notably in case you’ve not been form to them earlier on.
Braking is especially tough at Flip 7, the place it’s straightforward to run broad. The newer Singapore Sling by Turns 10 and 11 can also be a kind of ones that may lure you into going too deep, usually catching drivers out.
Coming over the bridge, the place you brake to the fitting after which flip to the left, induces lock-ups, whereas plenty 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’ll be able to lose a number of kilos of liquid through the race, so hydration is the order of the day. Monaco is perhaps the one venue with a slower common velocity, however Singapore may be an absolute slog.
Tyre and technique perception
“Observe evolution shall be vital over the course of the weekend,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview. “Intermittent rainfall, typical of the equatorial local weather, may also affect grip ranges and may alter circumstances from one session to the following.
“As is well-known, the race takes place at evening, with monitor temperatures ranging between 30 and 35C. Beneath these circumstances, the tyres are inclined to function inside their working window with none explicit overheating considerations.
“Mechanical stress is just not 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 grow to be limiting elements in race administration.
“For these causes, from a strategic perspective Singapore stays one of many races during which a one-stop technique is the popular choice 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 12 months the comfortable may obtain larger consideration on Sunday from a couple of staff.
“The softest compound within the vary has demonstrated at Budapest, Monza and Baku, the place it was used, that it permits drivers to keep up a powerful tempo because of restricted degradation, whereas additionally providing a bonus by way of grip and confidence behind the wheel. These traits may show much more priceless on a circuit similar to Singapore, which can also be recognized for its vital monitor evolution.
“The newest-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 permit the softer finish of the vary for use for longer and extra aggressive stints than previously.
“With this in thoughts, it could come as no shock to see the red-sidewalled tyre utilized in Saturday’s Dash or, extra typically, to witness extra intensive use of the C5 all through the weekend, inspired by the Dash format itself.”
Present type
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 staff mate George Russell’s dramatic retirement within the latter phases.
Russell went on to recommend that his personal prospects for the title might now be over. Ordinarily the Briton would possibly 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 12 months – however bouncing again may show difficult this time as he’s set to take a grid penalty at Marina Bay.
The monitor is without doubt one of the few that Max Verstappen has by no means received at, regardless of coming shut with a couple of P2 end. Nevertheless, after sealing a commanding first triumph of 2026 one week in the past in Malaysia, the Pink Bull driver would arguably be in good stead to achieve the highest step in Singapore ought to he and the staff carry 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 unsuitable tyre name at 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 combat, 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 latest upgrades, however Aston Martin boosted their tally close to the underside of the desk with a P8 end for Fernando Alonso – a consequence that may 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 staff mate Charles Leclerc was victorious.
Leclerc once more regarded 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 three Security Automobiles 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 monitor, greater than some other driver.
Relive how Vettel’s race-winning technique performed out within the video under.
