Singapore – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can capture his second world championship this weekend when the Singapore Grand Prix returns following a three-year absence due to Covid.
The Dutchman has a mathematical opportunity to win back-to-back world championships at night on the magnificent and challenging Marina Bay street circuit.
To accomplish this, the 24-year-old must win the race, which he has never done in Singapore, and his nearest competitors must perform poorly.
In the event that this does not occur, the title battle will shift to the Japanese Grand Prix a week later. It seems to be a matter of when, not if.
“You also need a little bit of luck for it,” Verstappen said Sky Sports of his Singapore title defense.
“I do not consider it.”
Verstappen’s victory at the Italian Grand Prix gave him a 116-point lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings. He is 125 points ahead of his Red Bull colleague Sergio Perez in third position.
He must expand his advantage to 138 points by Sunday’s checkered flag in order to clinch the title with five races remaining — the earliest championship victory since Michael Schumacher’s in 2002 with six Grand Prix remaining.
Verstappen won his eleventh race of a potentially record-setting season at Monza.
He needs two more victories to equal the record of 13 set by Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel in a single season (2013).
Verstappen stated, “I want to travel to Singapore and attempt to win that race as well.”
“This is a fantastic season, therefore we should strive to appreciate it and savor the moment.”
To win the championship this weekend, he must win the race, Leclerc must finish no higher than eighth or ninth (depending on who earns the extra point for the fastest lap), and Perez must finish outside the podium positions.
A great deal will depend on Saturday night’s qualifying for a grand prix that has been won from pole position in seven of the last eleven races.
The night race on the narrow street course offers few possibilities for passing, and the suffocating heat and humidity are as much a test of endurance and dependability as they are of driving skill.
As was the case in 2017, when Vettel and Verstappen crashed out before the first turn due to rain-induced confusion, Singapore’s environment always poses a risk of rain-induced disaster.
Mercedes chase Ferrari
Red Bull also appear likely to win the constructors’ title, although they won’t do it in Singapore. However, the race for second is still wide open, with Mercedes hoping for a late-season surge to overcome Ferrari.
In his maiden Mercedes season, the dependable George Russell is mathematically still in contention for the drivers’ championship, but a victory by Max Verstappen would end his aspirations.
However, the Silver Arrows sit 35 points behind Ferrari, who have suffered from a combination of reliability problems and strategic errors.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has won four times in Singapore, but Russell was skeptical of the duo’s chances of breaking the team’s winless streak in 2022.
Russell added, “Singapore may be intriguing.”
“However, Mercedes have historically had some difficulty on this track.”
Invigorated by Leclerc’s second-place finish in their home race in Monza two weeks ago, Ferrari can now approach Singapore with greater confidence.
Team leader Mattia Binotto stated, “I believe we’ve made progress.”
Carlos Sainz surged through the field to finish fourth for Ferrari in Italy, with a late safety car thwarting his bid for the podium.
Binotto stated, “It’s also evident if you look at the vehicles behind us that we’ve gained ground.”
This will be Singapore’s first grand prix since the pandemic, and all indications are that the nation is thrilled to have racing back.
Authorities have not published exact figures, but they claim that ticket sales have already surpassed 2019 levels.
AFP