Anyone who just happened to tune into the broadcast of the Singapore Grand Prix would have been surprised by the starting maneuver: two Ferraris were dueling with a Mercedes before the first corner. The assumption was that it had to be a canned film – after all, only Red Bull Racing had won this Formula 1 year, Max Verstappen had won ten races in a row. But the principle of every series is that it breaks sometimes: for the first time since November there is now a winner who is not driving in the name of the can.
The Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who started from pole position for the second time in two weeks, brought his Ferrari to the finish line first over 62 sometimes dramatic laps. The sprint at the end, in which Lando Norris came second in the McLaren and his British compatriot Lewis Hamilton third, was tough: the fastest three cars in 1.2 seconds, what a photo finish. Max Verstappen finished fifth from eleventh place on the grid – and extended his championship lead to 151 points over teammate Sergio Perez, who only finished eighth.
Sainz, who only came third in Monza, drove a smart race this time and celebrated himself after crossing the finish line with a slightly strange song, “Smooth Operator”. The race engineer joined in via the pit radio. It was a relief because the Scuderia hadn’t won since July 2022: “An incredible weekend. Everyone at Ferrari can be proud and happy.” Nico Hülkenberg, on the other hand, will be annoyed, the Emmericher started ninth in the Haas Ferrari and ended up in 13th place.
The Red Bull lacks balance – Verstappen sees himself as a “world champion in drifting”
The new colors already emerged in the qualifying session on Saturday night. After three training sessions in which unknown set-up problems became apparent in the previously superior Red Bull racing car, the crash occurred: Verstappen and Perez were eliminated in the second section. The faces of those spoiled for victory spoke of perplexity. “A shocking experience,” admitted the Dutchman.
How could this happen, just like that, overnight? It wasn’t the new subfloor, because it was no longer used on Saturdays. But the vehicle setup had already been completely lost. Sometimes the car understeered, sometimes it oversteered, and above all there was a lack of balance when braking. Overall, the chauffeur summed up soberly: “If the world champion in drifting was wanted, I would have the best chance.” Adrian Newey covered his face with his hands; the brilliant designer usually takes things like this personally. Already gambled away in the simulation, when the car was lowered even further on site, it began to bottom out. Without any illusions, Verstappen was able to start the race in eleventh place. He probably didn’t notice what happened at the start.
Carlos Sainz got off to a perfect start, George Russell only got going with a delay and had to let Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari overtake him in the crucial first corner. Verstappen at least gained one place, that would be a point of honor. Similar to Monaco, a procession then began on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, only under more brutal conditions. And with a surprise guarantee. After a good half hour, the leading Ferrari drivers were arguing over the radio with their engineers about the correct distances, a rain warning came.
However, the rain never came, instead there was a safety car phase because Logan Sargeant scattered sharp carbon fragments across the track after kissing the wall. Everything was at zero, everyone went to the pits to change tires, but Verstappen stayed out with his hard tires – and was second at the restart. A miracle cure? The hope didn’t last long; with fresh tires, his car was passed in sixth place. “It’s like I’m driving on ice,” he complained at half-time, knowing full well that his mandatory stop would put him far behind. He completed this on lap 41 and went down to 15th place.
Furious chase on the last kilometers of racing
Carlos Sainz held the lead, but rival Leclerc had already slipped to fifth. And George Russell in the Mercedes pushed, demanding more engine power from the command post when he had gotten within a second: “Tell me what I have to do to win!” Overtaking, what else? Norris and Hamilton lurked behind him.
Mercedes picked up the radio message from leader Sainz that he still had a second of lap time left. Cool reply from pursuer Russell, who was 0.8 seconds ahead before the last third: “I’m surprised he didn’t say two.” Before an attack occurred, Esteban Ocon’s Alpine rolled to a stop on lap 43 – the race was virtually neutralized. That also played into Verstappen’s hands. Mercedes surprisingly brought in both drivers, full risk.
The decisive phase of the hunt began from fourth and fifth place, albeit with a big gap. A signal to the Ferrari drivers, who really accelerated. “Go faster!” asked strategist Carlos Sainz. With nine laps to go, Russell was at least close to Leclerc – and past him. Hamilton followed in tow. Eight laps and eight seconds left to get to the top – now it really started. The top four within 3.1 seconds, with four laps left. It got tighter and tighter, only 1.4 seconds in the last ten kilometers. Norris fended off the first Mercedes attack for second place, Russell made a late driving mistake and thus missed out on the podium. That also helped Sainz – who barely had any rubber left on the rim and still won.