2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Aston Martin: ‘Lucky for us’ Alpine cared about Alonso’s age.
Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack says the side remains grateful that Alpine failed to tie down Fernando Alonso last year due to concerns regarding his age.
09:37 Mon, 11 Sep 2023.
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Rumours emerged that Alpine was intent on only offering a one-year deal with an option included amid concerns about Alonso’s age rather than the guaranteed multi-year agreement the driver was searching for.

Krack alleviates no doubt about Alonso, 42, remaining at the top level, asserting that the thinking behind athletes dropping away with age is now an outdated belief.

“I think, with the right discipline and the right motivation, he will perform without problems. You look at Valentino Rossi, for example, or you look at tennis players, [like Roger] Federer, he had a very long career,” Krack told the Spanish side of Motorsport.com.

‘EL PLAN: Lucky for us’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...t-alonsos-age/


Mike Krack takes a dig at Alpine: Fernando Alonso’s age is just a number.
The 42-year-old Spanish F1 driver has left Aston Martin more than impressed in 2023.
September 12, 2023
By Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Aston Martin pounced to sign the Spaniard after Alpine dithered in offering a contract extension to Alonso given their concerns over his age, which then prompted a swap of Enstone for Silverstone. “It’s not a decision I make alone,” Krack said to Motorsport.com, regarding the drivers hired. “We have Lawrence [Stroll], we have Martin [Whitmarsh] and we discuss those things.”

“I can only say, that at the level he is working, age is just a number, with the right discipline and motivation, he will perform without a problem. You see Valentino Rossi, for example, or you see tennis players like [Roger] Federer, they had a very long career. Maybe we have to change our mentality a little bit.”

‘EL PLAN: Aston Martin pounced to sign the Spaniard after Alpine dithered’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...do-alonso-age/


Fernando Alonso: Aston Martin ‘don’t make big mistakes, like some of our competitors’
12 Sep 2023 9:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Despite losing third place to Ferrari at Monza, Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin can take encouragement from a season in which they’re “not making big mistakes like some of our competitors”.

Quick out of the blocks at the start of the campaign, Aston Martin struggled to maintain their position as the second quickest team on the grid and, as of Monza, have fallen to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship. It’s been a notable decline with just two podiums in the last seven races compared to Alonso’s five in the first seven grands prix. He is, however, still sitting P3 in the Drivers’ Championship.

“I think we are doing the job of executing the maximum from the car,” he told the media including PlanetF1.com. “Sometimes unfortunately it’s ninth, sometimes it’s second. We are not doing mistakes. We are doing good strategy, good pit stops, not making big mistakes like some of our competitors, [like] they made at the beginning of the year.”

‘EL PLAN: Executing the maximum from the car’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...-big-mistakes/


Alonso looking to be 'candidate' for VICTORY in Singapore
Monday 11 September 2023 06:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Fernando Alonso has said that he hopes to be a 'candidate' for the race win at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.. “Singapore will be better than Monza, that's for sure," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"But to win a race we already know how hard it is. With Red Bull performing at an incredible level every Sunday. We will see if we are one of the candidates for Singapore."

“EL PLAN: Singapore will be better than Monza”;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...re-grand-prix/


Alonso promised more aero efficient 2024 Aston Martin F1 car
12th Sept. 2023. 13:43
By: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com

Alonso has urged the team to address efficiency, and McCullough agrees that it is a priority. "Fernando touched on the efficiency of the car," said McCullough when asked about the issue by Motorsport.com.

"It is an area where at the start of the year we were definitely one of the slower cars in the straight line. We worked on that with the base car, and also the rear wing levels that we brought [to Monza]. It's an area of improvement, and it is an area we need to improve more for next year, that's clear."

"The main architecture of the car, the whole car more than just the rear wings, the areas that we've worked on, there are a lot of elements that contribute to the efficiency of the car," he said.

‘EL PLAN: Address efficiency’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...-car/10519245/


Alonso wants 'new ideas' from Aston after 'anonymous' Italian GP
05/09/2023 at 09:06
Phillip van Osten
F1i.com

Fernando Alonso suggested that F1 fans would have been excused if they were left with the impression that he had sat out last weekend's Italian Grand Prix, for it was an "anonymous race that no one will remember" as far as the Aston Martin driver was concerned.

"I think the car and the efficiency of the car is maybe not as it should be for this kind of track," Alonso acknowledged. "It seems to have been our weakness and we know that. Now we need to get better and bring some new ideas. I think we are executing the maximum from the car. Sometimes unfortunately it’s ninth like today, sometimes its second like last week.”

"But we are not doing any mistakes, with the strategy or the pitstops – not making any big mistakes our competitors made at the beginning of the year so we have a good gap in terms of points. It’s getting closer, even Ferrari I think is ahead of us now with this result, so let’s bounce back in Singapore."

‘EL PLAN: Bounce back’;

https://f1i.com/news/486138-alonso-w...talian-gp.html

[Fortitude]

IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.
Eight rounds of the 2023 season remaining and it’s time for the flyaways to start once again with a stunning double-header in Singapore and Japan.
11 September 2023.
Chris Medland
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

There’s plenty to talk about as well after stepping off the plane so here are some of the topics expected to be doing the rounds at Marina Bay. Another challenge to Red Bull? The run of wins for Max Verstappen and Red Bull continued in Monza last time out, but they were both made to work hard for it, particularly in the first part of the race.

The intense battle for podiums: The beauty of that question above is that even if Red Bull retain an advantage over the rest of the field, the fight behind continues to be thrilling.
Final driver market pieces: On Thursday at the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes announced contract extensions for both of their drivers that tie them into the team until the end of the 2025 season and leaves very few seats unconfirmed for next year.

The cost cap: One of the biggest pieces of news to come out since the paddock left Italy relates to the cost cap, as the FIA released their findings for 2022. All 10 teams have been found to be under the cap, in line with the Financial Regulations, and as a result have been issued their certificates of compliance.
A spectacular physical test: The original night race, Singapore has been one of the most iconic races on the calendar from its first appearance in 2008, with the stunning downtown location that sees the track winding its way through the city streets under floodlights.

‘5 storylines’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...0stgN0ZeR.html


Track changes, car changes, same winner? Six Singapore GP talking points
These are the talking points for the Singapore Grand Prix.
12th September 2023, 7:15
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Trimmed-down track: After 13 races around the five kilometre street circuit with the only significant change being the removal of the unique but clumsy Singapore Sling chicane, this year’s Singapore Grand Prix will see the circuit take on a different look with the removal of the float sequence of turns 16 to 19 that saw drivers run along the waterfront before turning under the grandstand.
Flexibility clampdown: In response to concerns about how some teams may be skirting this rule, the FIA have issued a technical directive to all ten teams to make them aware that parts of the cars that could flex under load will be placed under increased scrutiny.

Stroll under scrutiny: It’s clear that Aston Martin need Stroll to raise his game if they are to have any chance of fighting for a top three finish over the final eight rounds of the championship.
Tying loose ends: Days after the Italian Grand Prix, the FIA announced all 10 teams that been certified as being under the 2022 budget cap, with no team found to have committed any material or procedural breaches of the financial restrictions over last season.

‘Singapore GP talking points’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/09/12/...alking-points/


POINTS PERMUTATIONS: Where and when Verstappen can become the 2023 F1 world champion
12 September 2023
Formula One - Official Site

With eight Grands Prix remaining, and three Sprints, there are still 232 points up for grabs, which means no chance for the Dutchman to mathematically end Perez’s hopes in Singapore and secure a third title on the bounce.

Instead, depending on results this weekend, the earliest Verstappen could clinch the title is the scene of his 2022 triumph, the Japanese Grand Prix, where he needs to depart with a lead of 180 points or more over Perez to put things beyond doubt.

Grand Prix Lead required afterwards
Japan 180
Qatar 146
United States 112
Mexico 86
Brazil 52
Las Vegas 26
Abu Dhabi -

‘POINTS PERMUTATIONS’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...DX0u0sIub.html


How Formula One Constructors' Championship can be won in Singapore
The 2023 F1 season is being dominated by Red Bull and their lead in the Constructors' Championship is so large they can win it as early as the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
18:39, Tue, Sep 12, 2023
By Liam Llewellyn
Daily and Sunday Express

Red Bull can clinch the 2023 F1 Constructors’ Championship at the Singapore Grand Prix - seven races before the end of the season. The team was dominant in 2022 but this season they have been untouchable and won every single race so far.

Following Sunday’s race, Red Bull will retain the Constructors' Championship if they lead the standings by 353 points or more. To have any chance of achieving this, Verstappen and Perez must finish first and second, just as they did at the Italian GP earlier this month.

‘1 – 2’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...nship-red-bull


Ferrari explains 'nasty' SF-23 traits that could affect Singapore chances
11 September 1:50PM
Author Jake Nichol
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Ferrari senior performance engineer Jock Clear has detailed some of the "nasty traits" of the SF-23 package that could make the Singapore Grand Prix a challenge for the team.

"Going into Zandvoort, we knew that it was a circuit that wasn't going to suit us and was going to expose the Achilles Heel of the car," Clear told media including RacingNews365. "We know that there are areas in this car that are really tricky, but it does remain a pretty quick car at most places, it just becomes trickier and trickier.”

"You saw that with Charles putting it in the wall in qualifying, so it is a car that is very much on the edge of circuits like that. With a perfect lap around there, we could have qualified third or fourth, which was the potential of the car, but that potential comes with huge risks at those circuits.”

'Nasty SF-23 traits’;

https://racingnews365.com/ferrari-ex...gapore-chances


Mercedes outline BOLD Singapore GP expectations after falling behind Ferrari
Sunday 10 September 2023 09:57
George Brabner
GPFans

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has expressed optimism for the Silver Arrows’ performance at the Singapore Grand Prix. Shovlin expects Mercedes to come back into their own on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

He said in a Mercedes debrief after the Italian Grand Prix: “Well, we’re certainly hoping so [that Singapore will suit the W14 more than Monza], but there’s reason to think that the car will work better because Singapore is a maximum downforce circuit and our performance at the high downforce tracks, if you look at Barcelona, Budapest, even Zandvoort in the race the car was working well, we've had pretty strong performance.”

‘BOLD Singapore GP expectations’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...eorge-russell/


Mercedes has 'reason to think' fortunes will be better in Singapore
12 September 7:30AM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365

Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin expects the team's form will improve at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. "The track though does throw up some pretty unique challenges and we've also got some layout changes for this year," said Shovlin.

"There is a sequence of four corners near the end of the lap that have been removed where the track used to go underneath a grandstand through a tunnel. That's now gone so we've got a longer straight which will change a little bit how the tyres are working.”

“There is a bit less energy there but it's also an abrasive tarmac. We've got the softest three compounds so it's a pretty tough race on the tyres and it's also a bumpy street circuit. Added to that, the race is run at night. Plenty of challenges for us to try and tackle then but we are going there optimistic for a strong performance.”

'Reason to think';

https://racingnews365.com/mercedes-h...r-at-singapore


AlphaTauri develop major upgrade as they copy Red Bull
AlphaTauri will start to adopt Red Bull's design philosophy this weekend at the 2023 Singapore GP.
12 September 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

AlphaTauri are set to commence their final-stretch charge this weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix, where the Faenza-based team are reportedly going to introduce a major Red Bull-inspired upgrades package.

Bayer actually revealed to PlanetF1.com that they will start to adopt Red Bull’s design philosophy this weekend, as part of a major upgrade. “There are no quick gains,” Bayer told PlanetF1.com.

“I mean, this year, we’ve seen some amazing changes in the results scheme, when suddenly Aston Martin popped up, and then suddenly McLaren popped up, but I think that’s really down to the fact that they all understood that what Red Bull Racing did in terms of design philosophy is the right one with this new downforce element which everybody is following.”

‘AlphaTauri develop major upgrade’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/alphataur...copy-red-bull/

[Fortitude]

What to expect from the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix.
What can we expect as F1 returns to the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix?
13 September 2:00PM
RacingNews365

Marina Bay has undergone some temporary track changes for this weekend's race, the biggest since 2013 when the famous 'Singapore Sling' chicane was removed, as Turns 16-19 under the grandstand have been replaced by a straight. This is due to construction works with lap-times set to be trimmed by nearly 20 seconds.

The field will be hoping to catch Max Verstappen and deny him an 11th straight win, and extend the record he broke last time out in Italy. Verstappen has never won in Singapore and only has a second place as his best finish since his 2015 debut. Will the hoodoo continue or will the soon-to-be three-time champion finally chalk the race off his 'to-do list?'

‘Will the hoodoo continue’;

https://racingnews365.com/what-to-ex...ore-grand-prix


Gasly concerned by Singapore track changes hampering Alpine
13th Sept. 2023, 13:07
by Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Pierre Gasly concedes the track alterations in place for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix are likely to hamper Alpine’s chances. After encountering a challenging first half to his debut season with the team since his winter switch from AlphaTauri, Gasly headed into the summer break having secured third place in the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Race.

“As a team we really experienced the highs and lows of racing across the last two events,” Gasly explained in Alpine’s Singapore Grand Prix preview. The podium in Zandvoort was fully deserved and we had a reasonable package there to compete for solid points.”

“In Monza, we expected it to be a challenge and, unfortunately, we lacked performance and could not put ourselves in contention. We had a very productive day on the simulator last week and I think we are in better shape for the next two races where we aim to return to the points.”

‘The highs and lows of racing’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...pering-alpine/


2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix weather forecast
13 September 3:55PM
Author RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

According to our friends at WeerOnline.com, Friday practice is expected to be dry. The chance of showers is small, resting about 20% and the temperature will rise to about 33 degrees Celsius at the hottest time of the day.

However, over the weekend, the threat of rain will increase - on Saturday, the day of qualifying, there will be a 40% chance of a shower at the track. On Sunday, more showers will develop in the region and the chance of rainfall is over 60%.

However, most of the showers will fall in the afternoon and as both qualifying and the race do not start until the evening hours, it does not appear as though the track will be heavily saturated for the sessions.

‘Weather forecast’;

https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-si...ather-forecast


THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on all the F1 news ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix
13 September 2023
Rob Burnett
Special contributor
Formula One - Official Site

The European leg of the Formula 1 season is over – and now we've moved on to the flyaway races, beginning this weekend in Singapore. F1 has been racing at the Marina Bay Circuit since 2008 and this weekend's Grand Prix will be the 14th held at the track since it joined the calendar.

To help keep you occupied until then, we've knocked up a quick quiz. It will test your knowledge of the history of the Singapore GP, and there's a few questions thrown in on the F1 news from the past week or so as well.

‘10 quiz questions’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...uiVZ2yh1z.html


Charles Leclerc hopes to be third-time lucky with Ferrari at Singapore Grand Prix
13/09/2023, 11:56.
Jonathan Wong
Assistant Sports Editor
The Straits Times

SINGAPORE – Charles Leclerc knows he is the fastest man at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. At least over one qualifying lap. After all, he has put his Ferrari on pole at the last two editions of the Singapore Grand Prix.

But staying in front of the chasing pack has been his Achilles heel. In 2019, he finished second behind then-teammate Sebastian Vettel and in 2022, he lost his lead to Sergio Perez before Turn 1 on the first lap, eventually settling for runner-up behind the Red Bull driver.

His Formula 1 record of five wins alongside 20 poles suggests a highly talented racer but perhaps not the ruthless winning machine his rival Max Verstappen (47 wins, 28 poles) has evolved into. No wonder Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, who was with Leclerc at Sauber in 2018 and has a close relationship with him, has heaped praised on the flying Dutchman.

‘Third-time lucky’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...ore-grand-prix


Hamilton and Russell keeping COOL ahead of Singapore Grand Prix
Tuesday 12 September 2023 22:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have been pictured keeping cool during their preparations for the Singapore Grand Prix, by taking an ice bath. Now, they are getting ready for this weekend's Singapore GP – which will be held in sweltering conditions – by taking an ice bath side-by-side.

Both Mercedes and Ferrari have proven themselves to be quick over one lap at times this season, suggesting it might not all be plain sailing for Max Verstappen as he looks to extend his record of 10 consecutive race victories.

‘Keeping COOL’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...re-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

What are the new changes to the Singapore track? As Max Verstappen aims to pick up his first win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
The Red Bull star comes into this weekend's action off the back of a win at the Italian Grand Prix - becoming the first driver ever to win 10 races in a row.
Published: 09:35, 14 September 2023
By James Evans For Mailonline
Mail Online

Formula One is set to return this weekend after a two week hiatus with the Singapore Grand Prix. Ahead of this weekend's action, many fans will notice a few slight tweaks to the track ahead of this year's edition. Max Verstappen will be aiming to win his 11th race in a row at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The new layout will now become one long 397.9m straight, reducing the total number of corners from 23 to 19. The changes will put less stress on the tyres and give drivers a quick moment to take a breather. Work on the new track is set to officially be completed by the end of 2026.

‘A few slight tweaks to the track’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ore-track.html


Max Verstappen's Unconquered Frontier...Yet! 2023 Singapore GP Preview
Published ‎Sep‎ ‎13‎, ‎2023‎ ‎11‎:‎01‎ ‎PM
Inside Line F1 Podcast (Weblog)

Max Verstappen is yet to win in Singapore. Will we repeat this stat after the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix though? Heck, VER is yet to take pole position at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. In fact, Red Bull Racing never has.

Firstly, VER's five race winning streak of 2022 ended at Singapore. Could it be a repeat this year? Of course, this could be for no fault of his own, as we saw in 2022.

Secondly, will the driver breaking VER's ongoing race winning streak become popular or unpopular for breaking the streak? Yes, it is about who breaks the streak. If it's Sergio Perez, he will be unpopular, however, if it's any other driver, he'll be a popular one! The perils of racing along side Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, we guess.

‘Max Verstappen's Unconquered Frontier...’;

https://omny.fm/shows/inside-line-f1...-yet-2023-sing


Why Perez & Ferrari will hope to break Verstappen's streak: What to watch for at 2023 Singapore GP
September 13th 2023
Motor Sport Magazine

Can Perez maintain his reputation as street circuit specialist? Having found polarising success on street circuits in the past — winning in Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia — Perez’s next trip to Marina Bay signifies a shot at redemption. As written by Mark Hughes for Motor Sport, the Mexican’s advantage is due to his “simpler driver style”, which allows him to shave Armco and concrete barriers thanks to his handling of oversteer and very delicate throttle foot to optimise traction.

Could Ferrari be Red Bull’s biggest challenger in Singapore? “Like every race, we have had a competitive car everywhere so why should that not be the case in Singapore?” Helmut Marko told Motorsport.com. “But I have to say Ferrari and especially Leclerc is a specialist around there. If they are faster in qualifying, then it could become a problem for us because overtaking in Singapore is very difficult. But I’m still optimistic that the package we are bringing to Singapore is good enough to win.”

‘What to watch for’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...?nowprocket=1#


All you need to know about F1’s new Singapore GP layout
14th Sept. 2023, 07:32
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Why the change? Although it intuitively feels like a change someone will have pitched in an effort to improve overtaking, the removal of the four corners is dictated by non-F1 matters, specifically the replacement of the Marina Bay Floating Platform that was located in this section of the track.

What it means? A shorter laptime is the obvious knock-on effect. Though the reduction in actual lap length is borderline negligible – around 100 metres, or two percent – the removal of four basically-90-degree corners will obviously do a lot for the average speed of the lap.

What else? The Singapore track was never the most demanding in terms of pure tyre degradation – hence the aforementioned use of the hypersoft – but it is a hot enough place to where tyre overheating is a particular worry.
Who wins out? This is still a relatively minor change, and over the rest of the lap the corners still come thick and fast to where it still looks firmly a high-downforce track.

‘All you need to know’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/all-y...ore-gp-layout/


Singapore Grand Prix could see race-day rain again
Formula 1
Posted on 14th September 2023, 7:15
Written by Ida Wood
RaceFans

The last round of the Formula 1 championship ended a string of rain-affected race weekends. But that may change again at the Singapore Grand Prix. There is a 20% probability that the Marina Bay street circuit will be rained on during daylight hours on Friday, with the first practice session not beginning until 5:30pm and two support series going out before then that can sweep away any standing water.

It’s a similar story on Saturday, with a 40% chance of daytime rain and F1 using the same session timing as Friday for third practice and qualifying. Forecasts predict it to be 30C for the final practice session and 29C for qualifying.

The chance of rain rises to 60% for Sunday, and some of those showers could be heavy and thundery. Whether they and the rain they deposit will linger long enough to affect the race, which starts at 8pm, is the key question. Temperatures of 30C will help to dry up any rain that does fall.

‘Could see race-day rain again’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/09/14/...ay-rain-again/


Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff agree as Mercedes face "unique" Singapore GP challenge
Singapore's Marina Bay Circuit is the next stop on F1's global tour and Hamilton and his Mercedes team are hopeful of a competitive showing over the course of the weekend
06:00, 14 Sep 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Toto Wolff shares the "hope" held by Lewis Hamilton that the Singapore Grand Prix could be a big opportunity for Mercedes.

The Austrian added his belief that it is a track which should be much better suited to Mercedes' W14 cars: "Singapore is a unique challenge for every team. The hot and humid conditions are tough on the drivers, team members and the cars. It's a bumpy track and there are some changes to the layout for this year, too.”

"It should make the lap more flowing and slightly kinder on the tyres. The battle with our nearest competitors is incredibly close. It's hard to predict just how the order will shake out each weekend. Nonetheless, we typically perform better on high downforce tracks, so we're hopeful of a competitive showing."

‘Track should be much better suited to Mercedes' W14 cars’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...re-gp-30933162


Ricciardo to skip Singapore Grand Prix as Kiwi rookie gets golden chance to shine
September 13th, 2023 9:51 pm
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

Daniel Ricciardo will not race at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix to continue rehabilitation for his broken hand. New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson will remain in the cockpit alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

AlphaTauri hasn’t committed to a return date for the injured Aussie, with his injuries to be reassessed early next week. The Qatar Grand Prix on 1 October is firming as a likely return date, though the team is yet to rule out an early comeback at next weekend’s race in Japan.

Lawson has boosted his bid for a full-time race seat in 2024 with a pair of assured performances in Ricciardo’s absence. He made a Q2 appearance at just his second time of asking at the Italian Grand Prix, where he finished 11th and less than seven seconds outside the points despite being saddled with a slower strategy. Neither Ricciardo nor predecessor Nyck de Vries has finished higher than 12th this season, though Daniel finished 11th in Belgium’s sprint race.

‘Kiwi rookie gets golden chance to shine’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...aa99499420507f

[Fortitude]

NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.
Ahead of the event, Need to Know is your all-in-one guide with stats, trivia, insight and much more. You can also see how fans have voted using our F1 Play predictor game.
14 September 2023
Formula One - Official Site

The driver’s verdict:
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Marina Bay is a long, complex circuit, and draining as well – a little bit like Monaco – with plenty of bumps. It’s all about the low-speed and having decent turn-in without losing the rear or suffering snaps of oversteer.

Strategy and set-up keys: Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin F1 strategist: Singapore is F1’s original night race and brings a whole host of challenges, from the intense heat and humidity to the demanding wall-lined layout, meaning drivers and teams are kept on their toes throughout the weekend.

Vital statistics
• First Grand Prix – 2008
• Track Length – 4.940km
• Lap record – N/A (due to 2023 layout changes)
• Most pole positions – Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton (4)
• Most wins – Sebastian Vettel (5)
• Trivia – Due to the physical demands of the climate and circuit, drivers can lose as much as 3kg in body weight over the course of a race in Singapore
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 178 metres
• Overtakes completed in 2022 – 71
• Safety Car probability – 100%*
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 33%*
• Pit stop time loss – 29.83 seconds

‘The most important facts, stats and trivia’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...opUZr70yJ.html


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the build-up ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend
14 September 2023
Becky Hart,
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

Build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix. It is hot in Singapore, the drivers are already posting sweaty selfies on their social media accounts and everyone is in for a tough weekend. This is often the longest race on the calendar in terms of time and sometimes the laps don't get completed in under the two hour time limit.

‘Follow all the build-up’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...s1XqhouC6.html


Verstappen, Perez wary of 'really painful' Singapore GP
14th September 2023, 15:10
Wheels24

Runaway Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen conceded Thursday that his win streak was under threat at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, where his car is "not as competitive".

The Red Bulls have been unstoppable in 2023, winning all 14 races, with flying Dutchman Verstappen taking the chequered flag 12 times.

He said he would spare no effort to extend his record of consecutive wins to 11 but conceded the nature of Singapore's high downforce layout would enable Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin to get closer.

'Really painful';

https://www.news24.com/sport/motorsp...re-gp-20230914


Russell hopeful Singapore strength can aid Red Bull pursuit
14 September 2:20PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

George Russell has outlined his hope of competing closer to Red Bull during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. "Last year [in Singapore] we had a really fast car and unfortunately, we didn't make the most of it during the weekend,” Russell told media including RacingNews365.

"I think it's so close at the moment between ourselves, Ferrari and McLaren. Aston Martin are fluctuating in performance. Hopefully we can close the gap slightly on Red Bull here on the high downforce circuit."

‘Hopeful’;

https://racingnews365.com/russell-ho...l-in-singapore


Ferrari set for Singapore 'reset' after Monza success - Leclerc
14 September 4:30PM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Charles Leclerc expects Ferrari will find the Singapore Grand Prix tough, following its podium challenge at Monza. The team adopted a 'Monza special' aero package which enabled it to maximise the potential of the SF-23 at the high-speed track, but Leclerc expects the team to struggle more at the high downforce Marina Bay Street Circuit, which have proved a weakness for the package in 2023.

"I think it's the overall performance we'll have this weekend," Leclerc told media including RacingNews365 if he was optimistic about Ferrari's chances in Singapore - a track he has taken pole at in both 2019 and 2022.

"It's quite difficult to go from one weekend in Monza, where we are fighting for third position and we are clearly the second strongest team on track, to a weekend like this where we need to reset a little bit. We will be closer at least with Mercedes, McLaren, also Aston Martin. We just need to reset a little bit more."

‘Expects the team to struggle more’;

https://racingnews365.com/leclerc-ex...-monza-success

[Fortitude]

Why Singapore’s F1 schedule operates on European time.
Singapore is Formula 1’s original night race - but there’s a reason behind the nighttime shift beyond the amazing spectacle…
15 September 7:30AM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

Singapore’s nighttime serves a purpose that is deeper than creating fabulous imagery - it is part of the logistic challenge of hosting the race. Upon arrival at the location, team members and drivers operate on European time. Singapore is currently five hours ahead of Central European time, meaning that just as the sun is creeping up on the horizon, F1 personnel will be tucking themselves into bed.

Around lunchtime, they awake and have breakfast, meeting those who are taking their midday meals. It is a strange concept, but eliminates the threat of jet leg and ensures that there is no overhanging tiredness to disrupt the flow of the race weekend.

It also means that for those who are working back at the factory, there is little difference when it comes to work schedules and operating within the same time frame as those at the race track.

‘Operating on European time’;

https://racingnews365.com/why-singap...-european-time


Singapore GP: Thursday's build-up in pictures
14/09/2023 at 19:00
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

After a two-week break, it's back to the grind for Formula 1 this weekend at one of the most challenging events of the season: the Singapore GP.

Check out our pictures from Thursday's buildup to the race weekend at Marina Bay.

’49 Pictures’;

https://f1i.com/news/486614-singapor...ictures-3.html


Singapore GP: F1 technical images from the pitlane explained
Sep 14, 2023, 9:27 PM
By: Matt Somerfield
Co-author: Giorgio Piola
Motorsport.com

Red Bull has a new rear wing design at the Singapore Grand Prix, as the team follows in the footsteps of its rivals. This style of semi-detached tip section was first introduced by Alpine and has found its way onto the AlphaTauri and McLaren already this season.

An overview of Mercedes nose and front wing assembly, which has an elongated mainplane in the outer section, resulting in three elements with a much shorter chord thereafter.

Ferrari’s higher downforce rear wing assembly has a deeper spoon-shaped mainplane arrangement and squared-off tip section. To match the higher downforce rear wing selection, Ferrari has added a Gurney flap to the trailing edge of the upper flap on the front wing.

‘F1 technical images from the pitlane’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/s...ined/10520265/


Hamilton hopeful for Mercedes podium hunt
15 September 5:00AM
Author Rory Mitchell
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Lewis Hamilton hopes Mercedes can replicate last year's performance at the Singapore Grand Prix and fight for a podium. "I think we should we were relatively competitive," he told media, including RacingNews365.

"Last year, we had such a great race. But given the car we had last year, I'm hoping this [years] car has progressed quite a lot. Maybe we'll be a little bit closer, I'm hoping we can fight for the podium."

‘Mercedes podium hunt’;

https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-h...es-podium-hunt


Charles Leclerc bats off Helmut Marko comments in worrying Ferrari admission
Ferrari impressed everyone with their pace at Monza, but the Scuderia may be in for a tough weekend in Singapore.
16:24, Thu, Sep 14, 2023
By Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Charles Leclerc has claimed that he isn’t buying into Red Bull’s fears about Ferrari’s pace ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, suggesting that he is worried that the team could struggle in relation to their rivals on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about the team’s hopes for the Singapore GP, Leclerc said: “It’s nice to read that [Red Bull are worried about Ferrari], but I’m not buying it at all. I mean I really think that they will be the strongest this weekend, especially come race day.”

“In quali it may be close, but maybe not, I mean we don’t know. I think on a high downforce track like here, I expect us to struggle more than Monza, so I don’t think they will have any threat, I think they will be the fastest on track.”

“It’s nice to read that [Red Bull are worried about Ferrari]”;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...-Marko-Ferrari


Norris handed biggest MCL60 upgrade since Austria for Singapore GP
14/09/2023 at 18:23
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

Lando Norris will head into his Singapore Grand Prix weekend as the recipient of a major update on McLaren's MCL60, the biggest since the transformative upgrade introduced by the team in Austria.

Norris revealed that the primary objective of the revisions is to address the MCL60's weakness in low speeds this year. "Probably since Austria, it is the thing that we believe will kind of help us move forward the most since then," said the Briton as he described the magnitude of the upgrade.

McLaren enjoyed the impact of its Austrian update immediately. Norris says that swift fulfilment has strengthened McLaren's confidence that its latest package will also produce a speedy step forward. "Sometimes we would put stuff on and it's not really delivered to what we wanted or what it should have done," he said.

‘Biggest MCL60 upgrade’;

https://f1i.com/news/486657-norris-h...e-austria.html


F1 drivers campaigning for track changes ahead of Singapore GP
14 Sep 2023 4:30 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Will an additional DRS zone be added to the circuit layout in Singapore before the serious action of the weekend gets underway? Speaking on Thursday’s media day in Singapore, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez said the topic of adding on another DRS zone is one topic that will be discussed in the drivers’ briefing ahead of the weekend action beginning on Friday.

“I think we are all expecting and we are all trying to get an extra DRS with the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association), because we feel like it can be improved for racing,” he said. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon was another to lend a voice of support for introducing a DRS zone, saying: “The FIA is concerned about safety in that little left kink. I reckon personally – and the other drivers too – that it’s not going to be an issue.”

“We are pushing at the moment to be able to try it at least in FP1, see how it feels and if it’s OK, potentially keep it. There’s no reason why we would not be able to keep it. Even if we want to be really safe, we just put [it after Turn 15].”

‘Will an additional DRS zone be added’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-dri...-singapore-gp/

[Fortitude]

Leclerc fastest in Singapore first practice as lizards disrupt session.
Leclerc was fastest overall in the first session of the weekend as the teams got their first look at the updated Marina Bay Street Circuit.
September 15, 2023
By Matt Neill
Total Motorsport

The action on track was briefly interrupted for a yellow flag at Turn 8 due to a monitor lizard on track, with the drivers swerving to avoid the animal as it made its way slowly across the circuit – eventually making it safely back behind the walls.

Another appeared later on, this time at Turn 9, with another brief yellow flag to help them on their way unharmed, with a third bring up the reptile hattrick in the final stages of the session.

�� Max: “There’s a lizard again on the track. It’s a smaller one this time!”

�� GP: “Okay understood. Maybe Godzilla had a kid”

����#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/xngLSJ648r
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 15, 2023

‘Lizards disrupt session’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...srupt-session/


SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX: F1 FREE PRACTICE 1 RESULTS
Formula 1 took to the Marina Bay circuit for the first session of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend
September 15, 2023
Abby Bathurst
FormulaNerds

FP1 Results
P1: Charles Leclerc
P2: Carlos Sainz
P3: Max Verstappen
P4: Lando Norris
P5: Lewis Hamilton
P6: George Russell
P7: Sergio Perez
P8: Fernando Alonso
P9: Yuki Tsunoda
P10: Esteban Ocon

Lizard on track! ��
The yellow flags come out but he seems quite chilled ��#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/1YORJCZRh5
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 15, 2023

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/si...ice-1-results/


F1 Results Today: Singapore Grand Prix practice times
Friday 15 September 2023 12:39
Chris Deeley
GPFans

The most dramatic moment in the first practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix came when the yellow flag was deployed for a large lizard on the track not once, not twice, but three times, with drivers just starting to get used to the profile of the Marina Bay track.

Singapore Grand Prix FP1 practice results - Friday September 15
1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 1:33.350sec
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): +0.078s
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): +0.126s
4. Lando Norris (McLaren): +0.172s
5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): +0.190s
6. George Russell (Mercedes): +0.345s
7. Sergio Perez (Red Bull): +0.375s
8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): +0.624s
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri): +0.692s
10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine): +0.716s

‘Large lizard on the track not once, not twice, but three times’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ractice-times/


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from first practice for the Singapore Grand Prix
15 September 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...wK8euDbzf.html


F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023 - Friday Practice: LIVE UPDATES!
15th September 2023, 09:57
Reporting By: Harvey Orgill
Crash.Net

‘LIVE UPDATES’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-sin...e-live-updates


F1 Live - Singapore GP Free Practice 1 Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
15th September 2023
Racing Statistics

‘Free Practice 1 Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql_TNClw5Cs


‘Godzilla’s kid’ interrupts first practice at Singapore Grand Prix
15 Sep 2023 11:23 AM
Thomas Maher

There was a brief moment of levity in the first practice session at Marina Bay, with a big lizard running onto the track and causing a yellow flag at the Singapore Grand Prix.

This is not the first time that local wildlife in Singapore has made its way onto the circuit, with lizards having been a presence on the track in years gone by.

But this time around, a large lizard made its way onto the track on the exit of the Turn 8 hairpin, standing in the middle of the road and causing multiple drivers to take evasive action.

‘Godzilla’s kid’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/godzil...re-grand-prix/


Race guide for the Singapore Grand Prix
14 Sep 2023, 09:00
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

The ultimate test of man and machine: Over the past years, Singapore has established itself as a Formula One classic. With its total length of 5.063km, Singapore is one of the longest tracks on the current calendar. However, the street track rather became famous thanks to its layout. Drivers have to excel with their cars driving through a series of difficult corners and over very high kerbs. Singapore’s climatic conditions characterized by heat and high humidity also add another challenge to master.

‘Ultimate test of man and machine’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/24187


Extensive final McLaren F1 upgrade of 2023 revealed
15th September 2023, 10:38
By Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

The extensive McLaren Formula 1 car upgrade revealed at the Singapore Grand Prix is intended to improve slow-speed cornering performance as a priority. This is the third of three big packages McLaren planned for this season and the second to have been properly influenced by the revised technical structure that was implemented early in the year.

The Singapore developments include a revised front wing endplate, a new sidepod inlet, mirror mounting and halo furniture to work in conjunction with a new bodywork shape for the engine cover and sidepod and “fully revised floor” including updated fences, floor edge and diffuser.

‘Extensive final McLaren F1 upgrade’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/exten...2023-revealed/

[Fortitude]

F1 Singapore GP: Sainz quickest from Leclerc by 0.018s in FP2.
Carlos Sainz outpaced Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in second practice for the Singapore Grand Prix, leading his Formula 1 team-mate by a scant 0.018s.
Sep 15, 2023, 3:10 PM
By: Jake Boxall-Legge

The Monza pole-sitter punched in a 1m32.120s to top the session amid the soft-tyre phase of running, which withstood a siege from Leclerc despite Sainz's inferior first and second sectors.

Being set at the same time of day as qualifying and the race, FP2 was considered the sole representative practice session as the track had cooled under the night sky.

Leclerc set the pace on the medium compound with his final run on the yellow-walled tyres, overturning team-mate Sainz's advantage at the top by approximately a quarter of a second as the Spaniard had largely bossed the top of the timing boards in the early phases of the session.

‘Ferrari 1 – 2’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f...-fp2/10520613/


F1 2023 Singapore GP – Practice 2 results
Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari was fastest in Free Practice 2 at the 2023 Singapore GP
September 15, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 2023 Singapore GP – Practice 2 results

Pos Driver Team Time
1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:32.120
2 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.018
3 George Russell Mercedes +0.235
4 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.358
5 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.465
6 Lando Norris McLaren +0.591
7 Sergio Perez Red Bull +0.692
8 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.732
9 Kevin Magnussen Haas +0.897
10 Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.985

‘After claiming the top two positions in FP1, Ferrari once again showed their pace at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix with Carlos Sainz leading Charles Leclerc in Free Practice 2.‘;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ice-2-results/


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Singapore Grand Prix
15 September 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...rK1jX1ldf.html


F1 Live - Singapore GP Free Practice 2 Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
Sep 15, 2023
Racing Statistics

‘Free Practice 2 Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAWxe2OHyTY


Verstappen ISSUES persist as Red Bull kept off top spot in Singapore Grand Prix FP2
Friday 15 September 2023 16:02
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

After the conclusion of FP1, it was clear that Verstappen was not entirely comfortable with the setup of his RB19. Yet sadly for the Dutchman things did not improve much for him in Friday's second practice session. It took just 20 minutes before he lost the rear of his RB19 past the Esplanade Bridge, proceeding to complain about a lack of grip.
Although the race pace of Verstappen's car will no doubt be strong come Sunday, there are signs that the two-time world champion's run of successive race wins might be in serious jeopardy. And if Red Bull are hoping that Perez can be there to pick up the pieces of his team-mate, a rather concerning radio message may just bring them back down to earth.

"It's just not coming mate," the Mexican told his engineer. 'Every braking zone I feel like I'm going to crash. The rear is just stepping out massively." A seventh and eighth place finish in FP2 for Perez and Verstappen respectively will leave plenty to ponder ahead of Saturday's action.

"It's just not coming mate";

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-bull-ferrari/


F1 results: FP2 timings from Singapore Grand Prix practice
15 Sep 2023 3:01 PM
Thomas Maher
PlanetF1.com

Ferrari carried on where they left off in the morning session, by topping the time in the more representative hour under the spotlights. Claiming another 1-2, it was Carlos Sainz who came out on top of the intra-team battle.

Red Bull’s quest to win every race this year looks slightly under threat, with Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen only managing seventh and eighth, respectively.

Mercedes were the closest rivals to Ferrari, with George Russell popping into third, a quarter of a second down on the Ferrari duo, while Lewis Hamilton was fifth with a time another two-tenths back – the pair were split by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

‘Ferrari carried on where they left off’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-res...rand-prix-fp2/


Alonso accused of animal killing after LIZARD invasion in Singapore
Friday 15 September 2023 14:57
Chris Deeley
GPFans

Formula 1 fans have accused Fernando Alonso of killing one of the lizards which interrupted FP1 at the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday.

The evidence isn't conclusive (although it seems likely that someone will be asked about the incident later in the weekend) but a clip appears to show the Spaniard splatting the unfortunate critter as it wandered into his path through Turn 9.

It appears the FP1 lizard was struck by Fernando Alonso. Poor thing... #F1 #SingaporeGP
— Phillip Horton (@PHortonF1) September 15, 2023
Ofc it’s Alonso who brutally murdered the lizard
— Erik���� (@F1swe77) September 15, 2023

‘The evidence isn't conclusive’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...re-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Vasseur buoyed by BEST Ferrari Friday of the season.
“This is our best Friday since the beginning of the season,” Vasseur told Sky Sports Italia. “Qualifying is tomorrow, and we need to be ready, but it’s always good to start the weekend in the right way.”
Friday 15 September 2023 19:42
Shay Rogers
GPFans

Fred Vasseur: “We need to concentrate on ourselves tomorrow. The set-up of the car and the tyres are our primary focus, but tomorrow will be a different story because different drivers will push a lot.”

“I focus on my team and don’t have time to think about Red Bull. I think tomorrow they will be more competitive. When you have a lot of pressure, you might make some mistakes. But we need to focus on ourselves and not the other teams.”

‘BEST Ferrari Friday’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...re-grand-prix/


Red Bull "way worse than expected" at Singapore Grand Prix as Max Verstappen left baffled
Runaway leaders Red Bull warned ahead of this trip to Singapore that the Marina Bay Circuit might cause them to struggle more than usual, and Friday practice backed up that concern
15:55, 15 Sep 2023
By Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer
The Mirror

Verstappen cut a frustrated figure as he spoke after the session about the struggles he and his team were facing. "A little bit worse than expected today, struggling a lot with the balance of the car," Verstappen said.

"We tried a few things in FP2 – some worked, some didn't, but we never really got the car together. There are a few things to figure out tonight. There are a few things that we don't understand, so that's what we have to look into. I will try to improve, but it's quite a big gap. Ferrari is very fast, I think we're just way worse than expected."

"Way worse than expected";

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...rrari-30951815


Verstappen 'STRUGGLING A LOT' with Red Bull car at Singapore GP
Friday 15 September 2023 18:57
Sam Cook
GPFans

Verstappen has never won at the Marina Bay circuit, a run which dates back to his debut there in 2015. Although there were no races held there in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Red Bull have only won once in Singapore since 2013.

That was last year, when Perez came through to brilliantly take the victory, but Verstappen was hampered by mistakes in both qualifying and the race and could only bring his car home in seventh. It's quite astonishing given how much Verstappen has dominated both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but Singapore seems to be a bit of a bogey track for him.

Red Bull will need to put in some serious thinking overnight if they are to challenge Ferrari, and indeed Mercedes who have also looked fairly quick so far this weekend, for pole position tomorrow.

'STRUGGLING A LOT';

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ling-red-bull/


Red Bull accused of ‘playing games’ after poor Singapore Grand Prix Friday
15 Sep 2023 4:22 PM
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

Red Bull looked all out of sorts on Friday ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, but Danica Patrick is not reading much into that. Patrick though does not believe we should read too deeply into Red Bull’s Friday struggles.

“I’m not always buying every time that a team has a bad day, or even a session,” the former IndyCar and NASCAR racer told Sky F1. “Because sometimes it just all of a sudden turns the other direction.”

“There’s probably games getting played, and then sometimes you just miss it. So yeah, not really counting them out. But they did come in saying it would probably be a little bit more of a struggle, and so far that’s been true…it’s only Friday.”

‘Accused of playing games’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/danica...mes-singapore/


Leclerc expects INCONSISTENT Ferrari at Singapore
Friday 15 September 2023 22:42
Sam Cook
GPFans

Leclerc thinks that the car will struggle around the Marina Bay circuit, one of the longest and physically demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar. “As you know, I love street circuits and this is undoubtedly one of my favourites,” he told the media before the weekend.

“But its characteristics will probably not suit our car that well, because in the past it has performed inconsistently on high downforce tracks. Better to keep our feet on the ground, see how free practice goes and then we will have a clearer understanding.”

‘INCONSISTENT Ferrari expected’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-inconsistent/


Hamilton criticises teams who blocked addition of fourth DRS zone
Formula 1
Posted on 15th September 2023, 17:10
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans

Lewis Hamilton criticised Formula 1 teams who did not support the addition of an extra DRS zone for this year’s Singapore Grand Prix. The FIA chose not to add a fourth DRS zone at this point on the circuit after canvassing the views of teams. “All the drivers, we all requested it from the FIA,” said Hamilton. “The FIA asked all the teams and there’s a couple of teams that turned it down.”

“So in the drivers’ briefing we’ll try to bring it up. But the teams should be for more racing, not against it. It’s interesting to have a few teams that are against it. But we’ll discuss it and try.” Sergio Perez said yesterday the Grand Prix Drivers Association was pushing for an extra DRS zone “because we feel like it can be improved for racing.”

‘A couple of teams that turned it down”;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/09/15/...urth-drs-zone/


George Russell ‘Optimistic’ for Singapore Grand Prix Weekend after ‘Very Positive Friday’
September 15, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag

It was a very positive Friday for us overall,” said Russell. “The car is feeling really good around the circuit. It definitely improved in the cooler temperatures of FP2 but equally, it still felt decent in the slightly unrepresentative conditions of FP1. The times were very tight between several cars.”

“Ferrari looked quick, particularly on the single lap. The long run performance across a number of competitors was also strong but we can be optimistic heading into the weekend. We will do our usual work overnight and hopefully find some improvements heading into Saturday.”

“I am really enjoying the new track layout. It makes the final sector, and the lap as a whole, much more flowing. It definitely improves the experience behind-the-wheel and should help create better racing on Sunday. The new track surface in turns one to five is also an improvement.”

‘Optimistic’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...sitive-friday/


Lawson enjoying ‘quite tricky’ Singapore challenge
15 September 9:30PM
Author Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

With just one more session left to run before qualifying, Lawson says final practice carries great importance as he continues to get up to speed at the track. "Initially, it was quite tricky, but I think that’s expected with how this track is," the New Zealander said.

"But I enjoyed it, still learning a lot, still getting familiar with it. We need to make the most of FP3. So far it has been OK, we’ve just been gradually building, basically. But there’s still a bit more to come."

‘Quite tricky’;

https://racingnews365.com/lawson-enj...pore-challenge


Lando Norris fears McLaren upgrade gains still not enough against ‘way too fast’ rival
15 Sep 2023 5:53 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com

Lando Norris fears Ferrari remain “way too fast” for McLaren at the Singapore Grand Prix despite being pleased with the team’s latest upgrade package. Asked to sum up his day’s work, he told Formula 1: “Good, tricky.”

“I think it was a positive day. I think we weren’t expecting to suddenly be P1 or anything, so P1 maybe looked more positive initially but I think we’re always good at getting up to speed. I feel like it’s a good strength of mine, getting up to speed quickly on a tricky track.”

“So, good day. I think we’ve definitely taken some steps forward, the new bits are looking like they’re doing what they’re meant to do, which is always a good thing. A couple of little mistakes, maybe, which cost me a little bit of lap time, but plenty of things for us to improve on for tomorrow.”

‘Way too fast rival’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lando-...grade-ferrari/

[Fortitude]

Verstappen FUMES as Ferrari keep Red Bull off top spot in Singapore Grand Prix FP3.
Carlos Sainz went fastest during the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen could not hide his frustration after he suffered further issues at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Saturday 16 September 2023 12:41
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

After Ferrari took the fight to Red Bull during Friday's practice sessions, all eyes were on Verstappen and whether he could respond to their impressive pace in the final session before qualifying. The two-time world champion initially looked far more comfortable in his Red Bull on Saturday compared to the day before, yet there were still signs that things were not all going his way.

Aa bizarre moment during the early stages of FP3 saw Verstappen veer off track – at a rather pedestrian pace – before eventually spinning the car around at the escape road of Turn 14. And in a similar theme to Friday's running, it did not take long before the Dutchman revealed that he was not best pleased with his setup, taking to the team radio for an X-rated complaint over his upshifts that he would eventually label as 'unacceptable'.

Perez meanwhile also had issues regarding the rear of his RB19, insisting that it felt 'on the edge', as the Mexican fought to keep control of his car during FP3.

‘Verstappen FUMES’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...appen-ferrari/


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Singapore Grand Prix
16th September 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari -1:32.065
2. George Russell Mercedes +0.069
3. Lando Norris McLaren +0.238
4. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.313
5. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.316
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.470
7. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.665
8. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.719
9. Nico Hulkenberg Haas +0.831
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +0.880

‘Singapore Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice for this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-83160


F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023 - Final Practice Results
16 Sep 2023
Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix - Free Practice Results (3)
Pos Driver Nat. Team Time
1 Carlos Sainz ESP Scuderia Ferrari 1m32.065s
2 George Russell GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team 1m32.134s
3 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team 1m32.303s
4 Max Verstappen NED Oracle Red Bull Racing 1m32.378s
5 Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari 1m32.381s
6 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team 1m32.535s
7 Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren F1 Team 1m32.730s
8 Sergio Perez MEX Oracle Bull Racing 1m32.784s
9 Nico Hulkenberg GER MoneyGram Haas F1 Team 1m32.896s
10 Yuki Tsunoda JPN Scuderia AlphaTauri 1m32.945s

‘Results from final practice at the Singapore Grand Prix, Round 15 of the F12023 world championship’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/results/103...ts?language=en


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from third practice for the Singapore Grand Prix
16 September 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘As it happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...ySKRIW8Sh.html


F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023 - Final Practice: LIVE UPDATES!
16th Sept. 2023, 10:21
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

‘LIVE UPDATES’;

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1/Singapore+GP


F1 Live - Singapore GP Free Practice 3 Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
16th Sept. 2023
Racing Statistics

‘Free Practice 3 Watchalong’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-DeijLZNtQ


Singapore Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz quickest in FP3 as Red Bull’s troubles continue
16 Sep 2023 11:37 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Carlos Sainz secured the practice hat-trick for Ferrari in Singapore with a 1:32.065 in a session in which Red Bull looked to have overcome their issues only to falter. The first of the qualifying simulations began with 20 minutes to go with Russell lowering his benchmark to a 1:32.3. Lando Norris in the upgraded McLaren jumped ahead of the Mercedes teammates by 0.06s.

As the track conditions ramped up, Verstappen went P1 with a 1:33.6…. and then let rip at his “f**k” upshifts. But it wasn’t all bad as he did decline the opportunity to pit for a flap adjustment, telling his race engineer that he was “happy”.

‘Red Bull’s troubles continue’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/singap...3-2023-report/

FOR QUALIFYING;

F1 Live - Singapore GP Qualifying Watchalong | Live timings + Commentary
16th Sept. 2023
Racing Statistics

‘Scheduled for September 16 at 1:30 PM’;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVX7yDMy3Q0