SINGAPORE: Pink Bull’s dominant Max Verstappen can clinch a second world championship when the Singapore Grand Prix returns this weekend after a three-year absence due to Covid.
The flying Dutchman has a mathematical probability to seal back-to-back world titles below lights across the spectacular and demanding Marina Bay street circuit.
To take action, the 24-year-old should win the race — one thing he has by no means completed in Singapore — and wishes his closest rivals to falter badly.
If that doesn’t occur, the championship struggle will transfer on to the Japanese Grand Prix per week later. It seems a case of when, not if.
“You want a little bit of luck for that as effectively,” Verstappen instructed Sky Sports activities of retaining his crown in Singapore.
“I do not give it some thought.”
Verstappen opened up a 116-point lead within the drivers’ standings over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc following his victory on the Italian Grand Prix. He’s 125 away from third-placed Pink Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
He wants to increase his result in 138 factors by Sunday’s chequered flag to be topped with 5 races to spare — the earliest championship win since Michael Schumacher’s in 2002 with six GPs remaining.
Monza was Verstappen’s eleventh victory in 16 races of a probably record-breaking season.
He wants two extra wins to equal the single-season mark of 13 collectively held by Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).
“I need to go to Singapore and attempt to win that race as effectively,” Verstappen stated.
“We’re having a terrific season, so we must always actually attempt to recognize it and benefit from the second.”
To take the title this weekend, he should win the race with Leclerc ending no greater than eighth or ninth — relying on who claims the additional level for the quickest lap — and Perez outdoors the rostrum locations.
A lot will rely on Saturday evening’s qualifying for a grand prix that has been received from pole place seven occasions in its final 11 runnings.
The evening race across the tight road monitor affords treasured few overtaking alternatives and the stifling warmth and humidity present a take a look at of stamina and reliability as a lot as driving capacity.
Singapore’s local weather at all times carries a risk of rain-induced chaos, as occurred in 2017, when Vettel and Verstappen began on the entrance row solely to crash out earlier than the primary bend.
Pink Bull additionally look positive to wrap up the constructors’ championship — though they will not achieve this in Singapore — however the race for second continues to be alive with Mercedes banking on a late-season revival to overhaul early front-runners Ferrari.
The constant George Russell continues to be in mathematical competition for the drivers’ crown in his first Mercedes season, although a Verstappen victory would finish his hopes.
However the Silver Arrows are pushing arduous and are 35 factors behind Ferrari, who’ve suffered from a mixture of reliability points and strategic blunders.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has received 4 occasions in Singapore, however Russell was cautious in regards to the pair’s possibilities of ending the group’s 2022 win drought.
“Singapore may very well be attention-grabbing,” stated Russell.
“However traditionally it is a circuit the place Mercedes have struggled just a little bit.”
Ferrari had been buoyed by Leclerc’s second place at their residence race at Monza two weeks in the past and may assault Singapore with extra confidence.
“I feel we made a step forward,” stated group principal Mattia Binotto.
Carlos Sainz lower via the sector to complete fourth for Ferrari in Italy, along with his cost for a podium place scuppered solely by a late security automobile.
“It is clear as effectively for those who take a look at the opposite vehicles behind us, we made a step forward,” stated Binotto.
This will probably be Singapore’s first grand prix because the pandemic and indicators are that the city-state is relishing having racing again.
Authorities haven’t launched precise numbers, however ticket gross sales have already exceeded 2019, they are saying.
The flying Dutchman has a mathematical probability to seal back-to-back world titles below lights across the spectacular and demanding Marina Bay street circuit.
To take action, the 24-year-old should win the race — one thing he has by no means completed in Singapore — and wishes his closest rivals to falter badly.
If that doesn’t occur, the championship struggle will transfer on to the Japanese Grand Prix per week later. It seems a case of when, not if.
“You want a little bit of luck for that as effectively,” Verstappen instructed Sky Sports activities of retaining his crown in Singapore.
“I do not give it some thought.”
Verstappen opened up a 116-point lead within the drivers’ standings over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc following his victory on the Italian Grand Prix. He’s 125 away from third-placed Pink Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
He wants to increase his result in 138 factors by Sunday’s chequered flag to be topped with 5 races to spare — the earliest championship win since Michael Schumacher’s in 2002 with six GPs remaining.
Monza was Verstappen’s eleventh victory in 16 races of a probably record-breaking season.
He wants two extra wins to equal the single-season mark of 13 collectively held by Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).
“I need to go to Singapore and attempt to win that race as effectively,” Verstappen stated.
“We’re having a terrific season, so we must always actually attempt to recognize it and benefit from the second.”
To take the title this weekend, he should win the race with Leclerc ending no greater than eighth or ninth — relying on who claims the additional level for the quickest lap — and Perez outdoors the rostrum locations.
A lot will rely on Saturday evening’s qualifying for a grand prix that has been received from pole place seven occasions in its final 11 runnings.
The evening race across the tight road monitor affords treasured few overtaking alternatives and the stifling warmth and humidity present a take a look at of stamina and reliability as a lot as driving capacity.
Singapore’s local weather at all times carries a risk of rain-induced chaos, as occurred in 2017, when Vettel and Verstappen began on the entrance row solely to crash out earlier than the primary bend.
Pink Bull additionally look positive to wrap up the constructors’ championship — though they will not achieve this in Singapore — however the race for second continues to be alive with Mercedes banking on a late-season revival to overhaul early front-runners Ferrari.
The constant George Russell continues to be in mathematical competition for the drivers’ crown in his first Mercedes season, although a Verstappen victory would finish his hopes.
However the Silver Arrows are pushing arduous and are 35 factors behind Ferrari, who’ve suffered from a mixture of reliability points and strategic blunders.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has received 4 occasions in Singapore, however Russell was cautious in regards to the pair’s possibilities of ending the group’s 2022 win drought.
“Singapore may very well be attention-grabbing,” stated Russell.
“However traditionally it is a circuit the place Mercedes have struggled just a little bit.”
Ferrari had been buoyed by Leclerc’s second place at their residence race at Monza two weeks in the past and may assault Singapore with extra confidence.
“I feel we made a step forward,” stated group principal Mattia Binotto.
Carlos Sainz lower via the sector to complete fourth for Ferrari in Italy, along with his cost for a podium place scuppered solely by a late security automobile.
“It is clear as effectively for those who take a look at the opposite vehicles behind us, we made a step forward,” stated Binotto.
This will probably be Singapore’s first grand prix because the pandemic and indicators are that the city-state is relishing having racing again.
Authorities haven’t launched precise numbers, however ticket gross sales have already exceeded 2019, they are saying.
