The 3 challenges of the Singapore Grand Prix

Will Albon hold up?

Two and a half weeks after missing the Italian Grand Prix following an attack of appendicitis, Alex Albon is back in his Williams at the Singapore Grand Prix, as he himself announced on his social networks. As a reminder, the Thai had also been temporarily placed in intensive care after post-operative complications. When he gave his news a fortnight ago, Albon was barely starting to walk again. Will he reach his full potential in Singapore? Hard to imagine.

The Williams driver, however, has embarked on a huge preparation program in order to be back on his feet as quickly as possible for Singapore. The race held at Marina Bay is in fact the most difficult of the season due to the heat, the humidity, the false jet lag or even the physical route with its 23 turns.

“My preparation for Singapore has been a little different than normal, but I feel good and have done everything possible to be ready for one of the most physical races on the calendar,” he explained. I'm not underestimating the scale of the challenge, but I can't wait to get on the track on Friday and get back behind the wheel. It’s a big street circuit and the closest race to my home in Thailand, so I’m really excited to be here and see the fans who have come.”

In case of worse, Nyck De Vries, Williams' reserve driver, will be there to jump into the car if necessary, as he did brilliantly at Monza to replace the Thai, by going for his first points in Formula 1. 

Will Alex Albon cope with the difficulty in Singapore? © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

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Verstappen, champion on Sunday?

It would take a little combination of circumstances, but Max Verstappen could well be titled this weekend in Singapore. For this, the Batavian will have to count on Sunday evening at least 138 points ahead on competition. Charles Leclerc, its closest pursuer, is now 116 units behind. Basically, to be titled, Max will have to win and hope that Leclerc does not do better than 8th, or 7th if the Dutchman sets the best time in the race.

Czech Perez, also still mathematically in the running, could also spoil the party by finishing on the podium. The simple fact of imagining that Verstappen could win the title with five races to go is quite an achievement when we know that he was 46 points behind Leclerc after Australia. In short, Max can go for the title at the Singapore Grand Prix… but there is still little chance of that happening! 

The probability of this happening the following weekend in Japan, however, is very high. It would probably even be better for Red Bull, which could thus be titled on the lands of Honda, with whom it remains in close collaboration despite the official withdrawal of the Japanese brand. And then, is there really a better track than Suzuka to be crowned world champion? 

Max Verstappen champion from Sunday? © Florent Gooden / DPPI

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Ferrari's last chance?

Until the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari and Red Bull were in a tight spot, both in qualifying and in the race on Sunday. At Monza, during the last race, Charles Leclerc managed to take an eighth pole position, but his pace in the race on Sunday was once again too low compared to that of Verstappen. This was not a surprise, however, as the Red Bull clearly showed itself better than the Ferrari on the motor circuits.

Conversely, the Scuderia seems to be closer to victory on more winding tracks, as was the case at Zandvoort, in Austria, or even in Canada. Considering the long straights of Suzuka, Mexico, Brazil and the now new Abu Dhabi track at the end of the season, we say that the Singapore Grand Prix is ​​probably the last chance of a regular victory for the horse reared up.

With Austin too, but to a lesser extent. For his only participation with Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc had also taken pole position before being surprised by his teammate, the master of the place, the five-time winner Sebastian Vettel, who had successfully undercut him.

Charles Leclerc to carry Ferrari's last hopes of victory? © DPPI

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Session times French time:

Friday :
12 p.m.: EL1
15 p.m.: EL2

Saturday :
12 p.m.: EL3
15 p.m.: Qualification

Sunday :
14 p.m.: Race