Formula 1 comes to the Singapore Grand Prix hoping to end the unquestionable dominance of Red Bull, which has won every race of the season to date, and especially Dutchman Max Verstappen, who has achieved the best consecutive winning streak in history. There are currently ten, but the realignment of the route eliminates the four hairpin bends that turn into a long straight, which does not favor other teams’ options.

In 2008, Singapore appeared on the calendar as the groundbreaking only night race on a tight course that takes drivers to the extreme in close racing (there are now six in the 23-race calendar). up to two hours limit; This led to mistakes and chaos on a Sunday where anything could happen.

However, the exponential improvement in the aerodynamic load of the cars makes it easier to drive compared to previous eras, and since the 2023 version, the addition of the replacement of four slow corners from 16 to 19 with a long straight make it lose the essence with which it premiered in 2008.

A year in which Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who became the two-time Formula 1 world champion in 2005 and 2006, won victory. A victory that continues to have people talking 15 years later, as claimed by Brazilian Felipe Massa He said through his lawyers that this race cost him the championship.

The reason is ‘collision gate’. This was the name given to the investigation that concluded that Renault team boss Flavio Briatore had urged Brazilian ‘Nelsinho’ Piquet, unaware of the plot, to introduce a safety car that would pave the way for Alonso’s victory.

The two-time Spanish world champion reached the podium a year later in a Renault whose performance was far from challenging for these privileged places. In 2010, in his first season with Ferrari, he repeated his victory at a circuit where he achieved ‘Grand Chelem’ – pole position, fastest lap and victory by leading all laps.

It is the Singapore track where he left some of his best outings. In 2013 he moved from seventh to third after the first corner; In 2017, with a McLaren-Honda coming from the back of the grid. He started eighth, finished third and suffered a single blow from Verstappen An incident with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen meters later prevented him from continuing his comeback.

Now, in 2023, Alonso returns to Singapore with a competitive car, albeit away from Red Bull like the others. But there were chances of victory in Monaco, Canada and Zandvoordt, and Singapore was a red-marked circuit on the calendar.

Moreover, it is not a good route for Verstappen. The Dutchman has never won or taken pole position in his six appearances. Moreover, he only led for three laps. Optimistic data that has other drivers, including teammate Mexican Sergio Pérez, hoping to break the longest winning streak in F1 history.

F1 Singapore GP calendar

  • Saturday, September 16: Free 03:11:30.

  • Classification: 15:00

  • Race: Sunday, September 17