Because to Covid, the Singapore Grand Prix will be held this weekend for the first time in three years, giving Red Bull’s powerful Max Verstappen the opportunity to win a second world title.
The Flying Dutchman has a mathematical chance to win consecutive world championships while racing at night on the impressive and challenging Marina Bay street circuit.
The 24-year-old has to beat his closest competitors and win the race, something he has never done in Singapore.
The title match will continue in the Japanese Grand Prix a week later if that doesn’t happen. It seems more a matter of when than if.
Verstappen said of defending his title in Singapore, “You need a little bit of luck for that as well.
I don’t give it much thought.
Following his victory at the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen widened his advantage over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings to 116 points. He leads third-placed Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by 125 points.
To win the championship with five races left, he must increase his advantage to 138 points by Sunday’s checkered flag, which would be the earliest title victory since Michael Schumacher’s in 2002 with six GPs left.
Verstappen won at Monza for the 11th time in 16 races in what may be a record-setting year.
To match the single-season record of 13 wins shared by Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher (2004), he needs two more victories (2013).
Verstappen said, “I want to travel to Singapore and attempt to win that race as well.
“We should really try to appreciate it and enjoy the moment because we are enjoying a terrific season.”
This weekend, he has to win the race, with Perez outside the podium spots and Leclerc finishing no higher than eighth or ninth, depending on who receives the bonus point for the fastest lap.
For a grand prix that has been won from pole position seven times in its past 11 starts, much will rely on qualifying on Saturday night.
The night race on the narrow street circuit offers very few possibilities for overtaking, and the oppressive heat and humidity test competitors’ endurance and dependability more than their driving skills.
Rain always poses a concern in Singapore, as it did in 2017, when Vettel and Verstappen began on the front row but were eliminated before the first corner.
Ferrari pursued by Mercedes
Red Bull also seems to be in line to win the constructors’ title, but they won’t do so in Singapore. However, Mercedes is still in contention for second and is relying on a late-season surge to pass early front-runners Ferrari.
Although a Verstappen win would put a stop to his chances, the dependable George Russell is still mathematically in contention for the drivers’ championship in his debut Mercedes season.
However, the Silver Arrows are making a strong comeback and are just 35 points behind Ferrari, who have struggled with a mix of technical difficulties and tactical errors.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has won four times in Singapore, but Russell was hesitant to predict that the duo will break the team’s winless streak in 2022.
Singapore may be interesting, Russell said.
However, traditionally, Mercedes have had some difficulty on this track.
Leclerc’s second-place finish in their home race in Monza two weeks ago gave Ferrari encouragement, and they can now approach Singapore with greater confidence.
Team leader Mattia Binotto remarked, “I believe we made progress.
In Italy, Carlos Sainz made his way through the field to take fourth for Ferrari; the only thing stopping him from reaching the podium was a safety car that arrived too late.
Binotto said, “It’s also obvious if you look at the other vehicles behind us, we took a step ahead.
Singapore will host its first grand prix since the epidemic, and there are indications that the city-state is looking forward to racing returning.
Although the authorities have not provided precise figures, they claim that ticket sales have already surpassed 2019.