[Official] Singapore Grand Prix 2023: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 16 of 23

[Born Racer]

Fantastic grid. I've long rated Leclerc, but Sainz seems like the more complete package and it's getting difficult to claim Leclerc is faster over one lap. If so, which lap is it?

George Russell is another one super fired up. He really is testing Lewis Hamilton and doesn't seem to get enough credit for his performances against the seven-time champ.

As for Verstappen, well, he was very scrappy last year from far down the grid. More of the same this year? The devil in me can't wait for him to have get some of his own medicine and have to do some wheel-to-wheel stuff. Singapore drinking game - have a swig every time Verstappen complains on the radio. Bad idea. Tomorrow is Monday.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Lawson has been impressive, particularly getting into Q3 (and dumping Max out..... ). For me, I don't see why Ricciardo is a 'given' at all, unless contractually. Having a youngster come in and do the business hasn't helped his cause much at all.

I agree, Lawson has done enough already to warrant a seat next year.

RB need to decide quickly who out of Ric, Tsu or AN other get the other B team drive, or even the 2nd RB seat...

I suspect Checo's seat is much safer after 'Marko gate' though!

[E.B]

Stroll wont be starting the race. The car and he are both a bit too bruised it seems.
A statement from Aston Martin read:

“Following Lance’s crash in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, Lance and the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team have jointly agreed that he will not participate in this evening’s race."

“The team face a huge job repairing the car today and Lance is still sore following such a high impact."

[S griffin]

Wow, what a session that was. RBR have struggled, but even that is a bit of a shock to see both cars failing to make Q3. Has the car finally revealed a weakness?

Great job by Lawson to get into Q3, he's looking more and more likely to be in an F1 seat full time. Ferraris prove their pace at Monza was not a one off. Good to see both Haas in the top 10

Shame Stroll won't start, but that did look quite a big one

Look forward to the race, especially if the weather plays a part

[E.B]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Wow, what a session that was. RBR have struggled, but even that is a bit of a shock to see both cars failing to make Q3. Has the car finally revealed a weakness?

Or have the new flex tests introduced this weekend entailed a bit of modification work at RBR in order to comply with the new tests?

It does seem a bit of a coincidence that a car that has been strong on every type of circuit to date suddenly loses much of its pace and balance the weekend the flex tests get modified.

Just sayin.....

[P38 in workshop]

It won't happen,of course,but I wouldn't mind seeing Danny Ric in the second Aston Martin.Leaving Tsunoda and Lawson in the Alpha Tauri seats.I also wouldn't be too upset if Stroll jnr decided to sit out Suzuka and they decided to call on the guy who said he would be happy to race there in future years.


Clearly the Red Bull problems have materialised at an inconvenient time considering the technical directive that takes effect at this event but I have seen elsewhere remarks attributed to Martin Brundle that indicate his belief that other factors are behind the slump in performance.

[fergus_r]

I’ve long been a fan of Mark Hughes, and his (free-to-read) analysis on The Race is well worth a look. It offers some realistic and accurate answers as to why RB is struggling this weekend instead of playing the conspiracy theory card:

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...y-undriveable/

Let’s also not forget that even Mercedes had “off” weekends when they were at their most dominant. And Red Bull in the Vettel era. Etc etc…

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

I’ve long been a fan of Mark Hughes, and his (free-to-read) analysis on The Race is well worth a look. It offers some realistic and accurate answers as to why RB is struggling this weekend instead of playing the conspiracy theory card:

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...y-undriveable/

Let’s also not forget that even Mercedes had “off” weekends when they were at their most dominant. And Red Bull in the Vettel era. Etc etc…

It's less of a conspiracy theory and more of an observation that it is a coincidence. Horner himself, earlier this year, said that he was surprised that other teams had not attempted to copy the way that the wings on the Red Bulls operated.

[bjohnsonsmith]

The SC finally comes out, after Sargeant goes into the wall though he manages to get back to pits.


That was a bad stop for Leclerc.

[bjohnsonsmith]

VSC. Ocon's car comes to a stop on the track.


Mercedes double stack their pitstop.

[bjohnsonsmith]

No, Russell into the wall.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Congrats to Sainz, well deserved.

[BTCC frog]

What a fantastic race, the best of the season by far and perhaps better than any from 2022 as well. The key to a brilliant race is to genuinely not know who is going to win until the final lap and that was exactly what happened in Singapore today. I was supporting George Russell all the way through and was convinced he had it when he came in for that pitstop, but Sainz's defence by giving Lando Norris the DRS (quite similar to his defence against Perez in Austria when he kept backing off for the DRS), was outstanding. In my opinion, Carlos Sainz just put in the best drive of 2023 so far, eclipsing Max Verstappen's great win in Monaco. Hopefully these teams are closer to Red Bull next year and we can have more strategic races like this, while it was also good that overtaking was quite difficult for a change in 2023. Even the first stint when nobody could pit was fascinating and actually a shame it was ruined by the safety car. Brilliant race, thanks Formula 1

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

I’ve long been a fan of Mark Hughes, and his (free-to-read) analysis on The Race is well worth a look. It offers some realistic and accurate answers as to why RB is struggling this weekend instead of playing the conspiracy theory card:

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...y-undriveable/

Let’s also not forget that even Mercedes had “off” weekends when they were at their most dominant. And Red Bull in the Vettel era. Etc etc…

Great read, thanks!

[Lancsbreaker]

Sainz's gamesmanship in backing off just enough to give Lando DRS to keep him as a bulwark against the marauding Mercs was masterly. How the heck you can judge things that finely when under the pressure of driving on well-worn tyres round a circuit like that is beyond me

[GT6]

yep best race so far this season and well done Carlos you showed today that charles can not be classed as the number one driver in that team

[Plantagenet]

Sainz showed really maturity with an excellent win - to my kind, he looks increasingly like the more complete of the Ferrari drivers. Excellent race, real crescendo until the last 5 laps where 4 drivers were genuinely in the mix for the win.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

What a fantastic race, the best of the season by far and perhaps better than any from 2022 as well. The key to a brilliant race is to genuinely not know who is going to win until the final lap and that was exactly what happened in Singapore today. I was supporting George Russell all the way through and was convinced he had it when he came in for that pitstop, but Sainz's defence by giving Lando Norris the DRS (quite similar to his defence against Perez in Austria when he kept backing off for the DRS), was outstanding. In my opinion, Carlos Sainz just put in the best drive of 2023 so far, eclipsing Max Verstappen's great win in Monaco. Hopefully these teams are closer to Red Bull next year and we can have more strategic races like this, while it was also good that overtaking was quite difficult for a change in 2023. Even the first stint when nobody could pit was fascinating and actually a shame it was ruined by the safety car. Brilliant race, thanks Formula 1

Yes, magnificent stuff by Carlos. As someone once said, 'Not bad for a #2 driver'. Number 2 my backside.....

Hugely enjoyed that, with a fantastic battle over the last few laps. Almost a cathartic experience with the Bulls not featuring. More like this one please!

[broadrun96]

I may have watched a very different race, couldn't watch the middle with the Ferraris not wanting to actually race. It was just about watching them try to lose it and who could actually get around them, rather watch paint dry than cars driving slowly to hold up the field. It was obvious everyone outside of Max and MB were just trying to not lose and just be in the way. At least it seems like Sainz actually tried at times to race but then was told to back it off, or at least it felt like it. Both MB were so much faster in the closing stages. Not sure the Sargent SC was really needed but it did at least throw the plans of pit wall out the window


Also, TV director needs to be sacked. If there's a flag maybe actually show it. They make picture in picture production, you should consider it if you want to show the front of the field too

[Aysedasi]

On their strategy, I don't think the Ferraris could afford to race harder, if they had they'd have been well and truly done long before the end.

[rika]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Sainz's gamesmanship in backing off just enough to give Lando DRS to keep him as a bulwark against the marauding Mercs was masterly. How the heck you can judge things that finely when under the pressure of driving on well-worn tyres round a circuit like that is beyond me

Sainz has in the past already showed that he is very good at thinking race strategy and execute it. Also last year he some times had better strategy than Ferrari engineers and then they listen to him!

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

On their strategy, I don't think the Ferraris could afford to race harder, if they had they'd have been well and truly done long before the end.

Yeah, I get it but rather watch paint dry. I get Sainz's play and called by him in the car so I'm better with that than team slow, slow, slow orders

[S griffin]

That was some race. Nice to see a proper fight for the win, especially between Merc and Ferrari. Just what we needed. Carlos deserved that one. Leclerc did alright, but was unlucky with his pitstop

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

George Russell is another one super fired up. He really is testing Lewis Hamilton and doesn't seem to get enough credit for his performances against the seven-time champ.

Have you seen the points table? George is at a key point as to whether he might be considered a genuine topliner in future, or whether he’s going to be a ‘number one and a half’ at best.

[PhilipR]

Interesting last few laps of the race and was really hoping MB would win - but it became apparent it would be difficult without getting by Norris quickly. Also I think Russell should have accepted 3rd place and settle in the last lap. Points for the Constructors are important

However I do not see Merc's strategy here. They gave up a sure 2nd place for a potential yet far fetched chance of a win
IMO they should have kept Russell in 2nd and pit Hamilton and allow him to come through. Russell could have pushed Sainz and make him work his tires harder and if Ham could have passed Norris then allow him to go after Sainz. I know Russell would not have been happy with this but at this point when you have not won in ages and this is first situation when it looks like the team can win, maybe do not care so much about individual drivers feelings and work together for a win

Oh well - back to normal service in a week's time