Four memorable F1 Singapore flings

The exotic night race on Singapore’s characteristic streets quickly established itself as a popular modern addition after hosting its first F1 Grand Prix 10 years ago. But overtaking here is never easy and the sweltering climate – even after dark – makes this a tough one on both drivers and cars. 

And coming as it does at the beginning of the end of the F1 season, its result is usually crucial to the title outcome.

Hamilton and Vettel both have decent history around the 3.147-mile circuit and statistically they have dominated the 10 races held so far: Vettel has won four of them, Hamilton three.

But while they’ve enjoyed glory, this place has also bitten them. Both have made critical errors under pressure on these streets. Another now, in these circumstances, could make all the difference.

As our examples here show, Singapore’s cocktail of drama has both shaken and stirred F1 over the past decade – but can also sling a driver well on his way towards a gilded crown.

1 2008: Piquet’s spin of shame

That first Singapore F1 grand prix turned out to be one of the most unforgettable in history – but only in hindsight. And for the worst possible reason.

Fernando Alonso won for Renault despite qualifying poorly and taking a strange early pitstop on lap 12 that left him at the back. The turning point was a safety car intervention caused by his team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr, who spun and clouted the wall at the slow Turn 17. It seemed an odd place to lose it, but as this was Singapore’s first modern-day GP, few thought little of it – even after Alonso proved the main beneficiary.

A year later, amidst a messy divorce from Renault, Piquet sensationally admitted his spin had been intentional and part of a plan cooked up within the team. It spelt an end to boss Flavio Briatore’s career in F1 and left a stain on the reputation of respected engineer Pat Symonds – but Alonso maintains to this day that he knew nothing about the conspiracy.

Perhaps the most underplayed consequence was its effect on the outcome of the 2008 world championship. Felipe Massa had been leading comfortably until Piquet threw his car at the wall, but a subsequent botched Ferrari pitstop cost him dear.

Most remember the Brazilian losing the title to Lewis Hamilton at the dramatic Interlagos finale. But had he won in Singapore as he should have, Hamilton’s final-corner pass on Timo Glock in Sao Paulo wouldn’t have carried anywhere near as much significance.

2 2010: Hamilton hits a low

Lewis Hamilton won for McLaren in 2009, but a year later it was in Singapore that his hopes for a second world title derailed significantly after a mistake all of his own making.

His move on Mark Webber for third place was complete in his own mind, but the Red Bull driver – unexpectedly leading a championship he was determined to win – came back at him as they braked for Turn 7. The McLaren came off worse in the ensuing contact, and Hamilton was left kicking himself.

That night, Alonso won from pole for Ferrari, as he had done at Monza, jumping up to second in the points behind Webber. Vettel, who finished second for Red Bull, was now fourth in the standings and moving into contention…

Hamilton was far from out of the title frame – but after Singapore it would be this trio who would take centre stage in what would turn out to be a thrilling championship climax. 

3 2016: Rosberg stakes his claim

Six years later, the world was a very different place for Hamilton, following back-to-back world titles for Mercedes in 2014 and ’15.

But this season something didn’t compute. His team-mate, who he’d known and raced against from childhood, wasn’t supposed to be a threat. Hamilton usually kept Nico Rosberg firmly in his place – but now things had changed. Nico, intelligent and dedicated, had worked out how to beat his former friend.

They arrived in Singapore with Hamilton two points ahead after what had been a fascinating personal duel: Rosberg had shocked the world by winning the first four races, then they collided twice – in Spain and Austria – before Hamilton clawed his way back to the front.

But they would leave Singapore with Rosberg savouring a consummate victory from pole position, in his 200^th grand prix, and with a new eight-point title lead following Hamilton’s lacklustre third place.

Before the summer break, Nico had been 19 points down. After Singapore, he’d never be headed in the standings again. Rosberg had turned his bitter rival’s world on its head.

4 2017: Vettel’s ill-timed implosion

A year later, Rosberg was gone – retired in satisfied exhaustion following his 2016 achievement. Now Lewis faced a different yet familiar threat, from a rejuvenated four-time champion in an increasingly fast red car.

Vettel took pole position for Ferrari in Singapore and knew he could go a long way to furthering his claim for a career defining fifth title. But not for the first time – and certainly not for the last – he’d blow it.

A poor getaway triggered one of Vettel’s costliest mistakes as he collided with team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at the first corner in an incident that also took out Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. Hamilton must have been smiling.

He certainly was on the last lap as he took a conclusive victory to stretch his points leads from three to a gaping 28. His own fourth title was now on its way.

Another year on and Hamilton returns to Singapore with much of the hard work already done. But it’s far from over. History and experience will remind him how this night race can cause terrors. One mistake in a gruelling race on an unforgiving street track, and all that graft can unravel.

Let’s see who is smiling on Sunday night.