Preview guide to everything that you need to know ahead of F1’s return to Singapore after a two-season absence.
Following an enforced three-week break due to pre-season cancellation of Russian Grand Prix, F1 kicks off its run-in with six flyaway races to complete the 2022 season, beginning with a visit to Singapore where the title could be settled.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enters the race with a 116 point lead with a maximum total of 156 points available across the final six races of the campaign, meaning that he could secure a second consecutive title with five races to spare if results swing his way around Marina Bay.
Now, here is a full guide to everything that you need to know ahead of 2022 Singapore GP, including timings and title permutations.
Track Guide
Circuit: Marina Bay Street Circuit
Laps: 61
Race Distance: 308.706km
Tyre Compounds: C3, C4 & C5
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Friday 30 September | FP1 | 11:00am |
| Friday 30 September | FP2 | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 1 October | FP3 | 11:00am |
| Saturday 1 October | Qualifying | 2:00pm |
| Sunday 2 October | Race | 1:00pm |
Five Key Pointers
- Given the potential for traffic and small mistakes around this tight and twisty circuit, it is important to hook up a clean lap in Qualifying to secure the best grid slot possible.
- Having found their best form on high-downforce circuits, Mercedes could well be in the mix for a first win of season if can replicate their form as seen in Zandvoort.
- Red Bull haven’t won in Singapore in the hybrid era but expect them to be a huge threat given their excellent one-lap and race pace since returning from the summer break.
- Due to the tightness of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, there is a high risk of safety cars which could well play a role in determining the race outcome depending on time of deployment.
- Rain is forecast to linger across Qualifying and race days but more for the latter day which could throw up some surprises, given the rareness of wet night races in F1.
Last Time Out
F1 hasn’t raced in Singapore since 2019 after the 2020 and 21 races were cancelled due to the then-ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sebastian Vettel – who is set to retire at end of season – therefore is the last winner of the Singapore GP after he undercut Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc to win the 2019 Singapore GP in a Ferrari one-two finish ahead of Verstappen who leapfrogged Hamilton in the pit stops.
Title Permutations
With a 116 point lead in the title race over his title rivals – Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez and George Russell, Verstappen simply needs to outscore all three rivals by the following points margins;
- Leclerc – 22 points
- Perez – 13 points
- Russell – 6 points
There however are various permutations but Verstappen simply must win and hope that Leclerc and Perez both fail to finish on the podium with the following realistic permutation proving enough to wrap up the title:
- Leclerc – finishes ninth or lower
- Perez – fourth or lower without fastest lap or fifth or lower with fastest lap.
Should Verstappen fail to win then the title fight rolls on for another week to Japan, where Verstappen could then win the title on 9 October if results go his way.
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