F1 Singapore 2023 – 3 things to look out for

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From circuit changes to the title race, these are some key facts for fans to take note of ahead of Formula 1’s return to the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Less than 3 weeks to Formula 1’s return to Singapore in September, what can you expect in terms of circuit changes, faces to see and what the race means for the title fight? Here are some key things to keep your eyes peeled for before you hit the streets on race weekend!

A fresh look

As Formula 1 returns to the familiar streets of Marina Bay in 2023, there are some changes to the circuit that fans should be reminded of before heading down to the track.

As announced by Formula 1 last year, the section between turns 16 and 19 will be changed to a 397.9m long straight. The section, where the Float is located, was previously a specialty of the street circuit, where drivers would have to go under the grandstand, driving beneath the emphatic spectators seated above.

Due to redevelopment works at the Float, the section will be removed and the track layout will be amended.

While the news does mean the removal of the fan-favourite Bay Grandstand, on the bright side, the number of laps are likely to be increased from 61 to 63 according to Formula 1, due to the reduced circuit length from 5.063km to 4.928km.

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To add to the good news, additional grandstands were also announced on 17 April on the Singapore GP website to offer increased ticketing options, as well as “mitigate the overall reduction in capacity due to the closure of the Bay Grandstand.”

The new grandstands are the Sheares, Promenade and Pit Entry grandstands, located at turn 1, turns 17 and 18, and turn 19 respectively. Hopefully, with the new grandstands, more spectators will be able to enjoy F1 weekend and watch the race from new angles despite the removal of the iconic Float section.

New and Familiar Faces

Making their debuts at the Marina Bay Street Circuit will be Mclaren’s Oscar Piastri from Australia, as well as Williams’ Logan Sargeant from USA, who represent this season’s two newcomers who will be taking their talents to Singapore.

Piastri, who had a tough start to his Formula 1 career, retired in Bahrain in the first race of 2023, before finishing 15th in Round 2 in Saudi Arabia.

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Despite the less-than-optimal start to the season, the Mclaren rookie has been able to record several impressive results more recently, including a 4th-placed finish in Silverstone on 9 July, his best thus far.

Sargeant, on the other hand, is still chasing his first points in Formula 1 but has come close to doing so on several occasions. Like Piastri, the American recorded his best finish in Silverstone where he finished 11th, just one position out of the points.

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Both rookies will be hoping for favourable results in Singapore, but may find it challenging to do so at a track that has been regarded by drivers past and present as one of the toughest on the calendar.

Aside from the new boys on the block, fans can also look forward to seeing two familiar faces return to Singapore’s paddock in 2023. Nico Hülkenberg, who is a popular figure among Formula 1 fans, makes his return to Singapore in Haas’ VF-23, having last driven here in 2019 for Renault.

After a cameo in Racing Point colors in the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix in France, and a few more in Aston Martin as the reserve driver in 2021 and 2022, the German returned to the grid as a full-time driver with Haas for the 2023 season, and will make his return to the streets of Singapore for the first time in 3 seasons.

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Another face that fans in Singapore could look forward to seeing is Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who returned the rest of the 2023 season, taking up their vacant race seat previously belonging to rookie Dutchman Nyck De Vries.

Unfortunately the Honey Badger broke his hand in a crash during second practice for the Dutch Grand Prix and is temporarily replaced by rookie Liam Lawson, who will continue to drive for the team until he returns to full fitness. Could he make it in time for Singapore?

Verstappen’s Third Title?

Last year’s Singapore Grand Prix would likely be remembered by most as one that was full of twists and turns, as well as one that left fans thoroughly soaked from head to toe due to the torrential downpour that rained down on the Marina Bay Street Circuit over the weekend.

However, avid fans of the sport may also recall that last year’s race was Max Verstappen’s first opportunity at claiming the 2022 Driver’s World Championship.

The 2021 Drivers’ World Champion came to Singapore 116 points clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second place, making it possible for him to secure his second consecutive title in Singapore, albeit under what many deemed as unrealistic circumstances.

Not only did Verstappen need to win the race, he also had to hope that other results went his way, outscoring Leclerc by 22 points, Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by 13, as well as Mercedes’ George Russell by 6 points if he were to secure the title.

Unfortunately for the Dutchman, a tough qualifying and rough race saw him finish in 7th, while Sergio Perez clinched his first victory in Marina Bay, with the Ferraris driven by Leclerc and Sainz rounded off the podium. Though last year’s race may be one to forget for Verstappen, he will likely be coming to Singapore with much more confidence.

Max Verstappen driving his RB18 along the wet streets of the Marina Bay Street Circuit on 1 October 2022

Entering Round 14 of the F1 calendar in Italy, Verstappen currently leads the drivers championship by 138 points. To put things into perspective, Max led the championship by 109 points at the same stage last year.

The reigning world champion has been sensational this season, having just equaled Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine straight victories last weekend. If Max is able to carry on his incredible run of form, it would not be too far-fetched to think the Red Bulls will win all of the remaining races.

With the days counting down before we witness Formula 1 cars light up the streets of Singapore again, fans can look forward to seeing a new circuit layout, fresh and familiar faces, as well as exciting on-track action that could have a big influence on the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

Fans can still purchase tickets (limited availability) on the #SingaporeGP website to secure various grandstand seats, walkabout tickets and hospitality packages.

With all the exhilarating action that the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix has to offer, as well as an almost-guaranteed appearance from the safety car (which has still appeared in every edition of the race), F1 weekend in Singapore is certainly not to be missed.