Former world champion Nico Rosberg once likened the Singapore Grand Prix to being “in a sauna on a spinning bike for two hours.” The race’s unpredictable conditions ensure plenty of action and drama for fans. Last year, more than 260,000 spectators gathered at the Marina Bay Street Circuit to witness a thrilling spectacle. To get in on the action, you can find the real money sporting betting online for this event on leading betting sites.
So what exactly makes this track such a formidable challenge for drivers?
A Unique Street Circuit
Marina Bay is unlike any other street circuit. With 19 corners packed into 4.94 kilometers, it averages one turn every 260 meters. Although the current layout is shorter by four corners than the original, it remains one of the most intense laps in F1. Only Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, and Baku have more turns, but those tracks have longer laps. The average race lap times here are second only to Monaco in terms of slowness, highlighting the circuit’s difficulty. Drivers often comment on how exhausting it is, with Rosberg noting that the tight seatbelts make it hard to breathe, forcing drivers to hold their breath in the corners.
Navigating Between Barriers
The track is lined with barriers, requiring drivers to stay extremely close to the edges. Max Verstappen has admitted to leaving “a bit more margin” to avoid crashing. It’s easy to hit the wall, whether by pushing too hard in qualifying or losing focus during the race. Last year, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll had a big crash in qualifying, and Mercedes’ George Russell hit the barriers on the final lap while chasing McLaren’s Lando Norris. Even Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, went straight on at Turn 7 in 2022, though he managed to avoid damage and continued the race.
Endurance Test
The Singapore Grand Prix isn’t just intense; it’s also the longest race in F1. Last year’s fastest race time was still one hour and 43 minutes, and the two-hour maximum time limit has been reached five times. Drivers must maintain full concentration at high intensity for a prolonged period, with few breaks on the rare short straights. Simply finishing the race is an achievement, let alone strategizing and racing wheel-to-wheel.
Bumps and Kerbs
As a street circuit, Marina Bay is bumpy and has high curbs, making it uncomfortable for drivers. Teams often run cars as stiff as possible, exacerbating the rough ride. Last year, Red Bull struggled with this setup, as their car was better suited to smoother tracks with lower ride heights.
Heat and Humidity
Until last year’s scorching Qatar Grand Prix, Singapore was the most demanding race in terms of conditions. Ambient temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius, with cockpit temperatures reaching up to 60 degrees. Drivers often acclimatize in saunas before the race. The only cooling comes from a small inlet at the front of the car and helmet vents. The humidity can surpass 70%, causing drivers to sweat intensely and lose up to 4kg of body weight. They also experience lower electrolyte levels, higher heart rates, and increased core temperatures. Drinking fluids during the race is challenging, as the in-car drink feed can become uncomfortably warm, as Kevin Magnussen described last year.
Time-Shift Challenge
Singapore’s night race adds another layer of difficulty. The track is brightly lit, making it as clear as day for drivers, but the schedule is unusual. Teams and drivers stay on European time to adjust to the late evening start. This means going to bed around 6 am and waking up at 2 pm, turning the entire schedule upside down, including media and sponsor commitments.
The Elusive Victory
Despite winning at 26 different circuits, Max Verstappen has yet to win at Marina Bay. It’s the only race on this year’s calendar where he hasn’t triumphed. He finished second to Hamilton in 2018 and third the following year. After a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, a fuelling mistake in 2022 saw him start eighth and finish seventh. Last year, setup issues knocked him out of qualifying in Q2, and he started 11th, finishing fifth.
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