F1 Singapore Grand Prix Preview: Can Mercedes Go Back To Back?

SINGAPORE STREET CIRCUIT, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 16: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+, leads Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB14, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF71H, and the rest of the field at the start during the Singapore GP at Singapore Street Circuit on September 16, 2018 in Singapore Street Circuit, Singapore. (Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images)

Mercedes have been dominant all year but could their overheating issues leave the door open for Red Bull and Ferrari?

With it set to be a humid 33 degrees in Singapore this weekend it seems Mercedes’ overheating issues may arise and leave a chance for Red Bull or Ferrari to take victory in  Singapore.

Rewind back to Spa and Austria and Mercedes struggled to maintain their top speed due to overheating which saw them have to settle for third and second respectively.

Red Bull will be excited heading into the race as they were able to push Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes to the max last year and with the improvement their engine upgrade showed in Italy they will be looking to do the same this year.

Ferrari will also be confident heading into Sunday on the back of two victories in Spa and Monza but Singapore won’t allow them to showcase their top speed with plenty of low and moderate speed turns.

THE TRACK

At 5.063km, Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit is by no means the longest. But it is certainly the most demanding. It features 23 corners – 14 left handers, nine right handers if you were wondering – the most on the calendar, and they come thick and fast.

With 23 corners, the brake pedal will be getting a good pummeling in Singapore. On average, drivers use their brakes 15 times per lap – more than at any other circuit. That compares to just six times in Monza and 11 at circuits like Monaco, Baku, Budapest and Abu Dhabi. They also spend around 24 seconds per lap on the brakes, which accounts to 25% of the lap – 12% more than last time out at Monza.

Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne once described the grand prix as the ‘Singapore Sauna’, while Bottas said a driver can “lose three and a half kilos” during the race.

Throw in some long-sleeve underwear, a balaclava, then a race suit on top of that, and it’s no wonder Hamilton declared: “It’s just so hot, man.”

With a bumpy track layout and 23 corners to contend with, Singapore is one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar.

The intricate corners are approached at a lower speed than most during the season, and with the walls feeling claustrophobically close, a wrong move by one car often sees multiple drivers taken out of the equation at the same time.

THE WEATHER

THE DRIVERS

Hamilton and Vettel both know what it takes to win in Singapore with both drivers locked on four wins at the Marina Bay track.

Verstappen will be looking for his first win in Singapore but with a solid second placing last year there is no reason 2019 won’t be his year.

WHERE TO WATCH

Stream the Singapore Grand Prix on any device using Kayo Sports 

OUR PICK

We’re thinking the upgrades Red Bull have made to Max Verstappen’s engine along with the potential overheating issues to Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes will see the dutchman claim his first win in Singapore and at the $2.88 he is paying the moment we think he’s good value.

DON”T FORGET DANIEL

Daniel Ricciardo has been strong in Singapore in the past and he will be full of confidence after a solid effort in Monza.

He is currently paying $4.33 to run in the top 6 and we’re taking it!!

THE BETTING

• Bet Now With Ladbrokes
• Bet Now With Neds
• Bet Now With BetEasy
• Bet Now With Melbet   (We Recommend)