As the teams pack up and heads to Singapore, Formula 1 turns up the heat on the fastest series in motorsport
Teams have already begun to arrive in Singapore for what is promising to be one of the most exciting races of the Formula 1 season thus far. Petronas Mercedes and their lead driver, Lewis Hamilton, will work to fight off the hard charging Sebastian Vettel and Scuderia Ferrari. In the midst of this battle Red Bull has put new engines in their cars and knows it’s now or never if they plan to make a move on the championship.
Singapore is a track more favorable to Ferrari
Since returning from the summer break Petronas Mercedes has looked strong. They have looked so strong, in fact, that their lead driver, Lewis Hamilton has taken over the points lead in definitive fashion. Going into the last race at Monza, the home track of Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari’s team principal Maurizio Arrivabene acknowledged that Monza was not the track most suited to his cars. The statement proved to be true and Ferrari struggled the entire weekend, with Sebastian Vettel barely securing a place on the podium.
Singapore, however, is suited for both the red cars and their drivers. It is a track that requires more downforce, which so far this season has been the domain of Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel.
Arrivabene made several comments over the course of the last race weekend that this track would be more favorable to his cars and Sebastian Vettel will come to the circuit in Marina Bay as the driver to beat. Lewis Hamilton, however, will not go down easily and has had his own success in the exotic locale and is hoping to pull off another victory and secure his place as championship points leader.
Daniel Ricciardo may be the dark horse of the race
After dismal performances in several races this season, most notably the Italian Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner announced that he would be putting new engines in the car. Horner also intimated that he realized the importance of Red Bull not only making a good showing but actually being competitive at the Singapore Grand Prix.
This would prove to be especially true if Daniel Ricciardo is going to have any hope of staying in the chase for the championship. Throughout the course of this season, Ricciardo has been a dark horse. Quietly stalking the leaders and, when given the opportunity, climbing to the top of the podium. The track in Singapore, with a new engine, may just what Ricciardo needed to truly challenge both Mercedes and Ferrari.
As teams begin to arrive at the exotic circuit in Marina Bay, the Singapore Grand Prix holds the promise of continuing the excitement the season has held so far. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes goes into the weekend with the points lead, however, it is Sebastian Vettel and his Ferrari that are considered the car to beat.
Not to be forgotten, looming somewhere behind them, charges Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull. While no one can say for sure what will happen in the race, what can be said is it should be an exciting, heart stopping weekend and Formula 1, and its fans, can’t ask for any more than that.
