(Motorsports news) This weekend, Formula One returns to the lights of Singapore, where alterations to the course are expected to challenge the teams’ setup and possibly introduce some unpredictability. With the removal of four extremely slow and narrow turns near the conclusion of the circuit and the addition of a new straight section, lap timings will be slashed and previously impossible overtaking opportunities will now be possible.
One of the few counter-clockwise-running circuits still focuses on strong downforce, but teams anticipate that it will be friendlier to tyres, which may limit the value of prior statistics. Teams will need to act quickly to figure out how to pick up speed, and since thunderstorms are expected on Sunday throughout the day, though they should abate by the time the race starts, there may be some potential for surprises.
POLE PERFORMANCE:
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz won the pole position at the most recent race in Monza, but it was his teammate Charles Leclerc who has won the top spot in Singapore’s last two F1 appearances, although after taking a chance in a drying session last year. Leclerc is rated at 10/1, but Verstappen is still the pole favorite at 23/50 and Perez is at 37/5. The Singapore track’s high downforce characteristics are similar to those of circuits in Spain and Hungary, where earlier this year Lewis Hamilton made his sole season-opening front-row start there.
He is currently 10/1 for pole, which is also terrific value, and his Mercedes keeps getting better. McLarens, who were among the rest of the field, performed well in Hungary, qualifying third and fourth with Norris actually topping the timings in Q2, and they will be hoping to rebound after a trying recent stretch. A Norris pole is not a very good value, though, at 15/1.
PODIUM CHALLENGERS:
Last year’s race in Singapore was chaotic due to rain, and while Sergio Perez prevailed, it will be challenging to replicate identical circumstances this year, especially given the circuit alterations that could have an impact. Obviously, it is difficult to foresee anything other than a Verstappen victory after a record-breaking 10 straight victories.
But eventually, his run must come to an end. Given that, he has a 13/50 chance of winning and won 15 times last year. Even Perez, who has won Singapore three times, appears to be a good value at 43/5 (just over 8/1), while Hamilton, who has won Singapore three times, could be even better at 17/1 (for a win) or 7/4 (for a podium).
PLAYER’S POINTS:
All of the major teams—Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Aston Martin—had two finishes in the top ten in Hungary, with the latter two at the bottom. But both Valtteri Bottas and Alex Albon were at a critical juncture. Albon finished sixth in the most recent race in Monza, although his Williams prefers fast tracks because all of his points have been earned there.
The new straight may assist, and Albon’s performance in Hungary implies he can still run well at increased downforce even though Singapore is not one of those places. He is scoring at 61/100. Alpine performed admirably at the circuit in Spain with more downforce, but both cars were destroyed by lap two in Hungary and had no chance to compete. They haven’t been on their game lately, but Singapore might give them a chance to shine.
Their chances of putting both cars in the points are 7/2, while each driver has a 6/5 chance of placing in the top 10. Valtteri Bottas was successful in earning points for the Alfa Romeo Stake in Spain with a high-downforce configuration, and he also scored again in Monza. His current odds of 7/2 for points would be worth taking into account if he qualifies successfully.
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