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Singapore Grand Prix FP2 saw the return of both Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc from FP1 incidents. With only 3.4 seconds separating all 20 drivers, FP3 is shaping up to be more entertaining than ever as tyre degradation, car traffic, and qualifying strategy are changing as the circuit rubbers in.
Singapore Grand Prix FP2 Summary
Singapore Grand Prix FP2 storyline opens up with air temperature and how the night race, while beautiful, isn’t much more forgiving in the darkness. FP2 is only 3 degrees cooler than FP1.
Mercedes try to beat the heat not only in the garage but in the car but are caught out. The FIA hand out a 5,000 euro fine for breaching fuel temperature. Their fuel measured 1 degree cooler than the allowed 10 degrees variance. I don’t think this was any conspiracy or anything considering how close it was and that it was FP2. But generally speaking, the cooler the fuel, the better the fuel works. Due to the viscosity and denseness of fuel, how cool you can get your fuel is highly beneficial as it allows for optimum performance for the F1 machines these drivers sit in.
The heat is starting to spill out onto the track as Sergio Perez almost squeezes Magnussen into the wall because he “tried to ruin my [Sergio’s] outlap”. FIA take a look – more to come on whether a penalty will be handed out but after further review, Sergio is absolutely in the wrong here. He’s unsafely holding up traffic to protect his lap. You can’t do that in a practice session especially.
Alex Albon, in only his second race with Red Bull, looks a bit shaky having trouble with turn 7. He has a few locks up and finally puts his Honda powered car into the wall head first after hit an especially bumpy patch of track. Luckily nothing major went wrong in terms of damage. But he needs to adapt to the rough ride that is the Singapore circuit or he’ll lose an amazing opportunity to get the wildcard podium spot I believe will be wide open due to the team jockeying on strategy with undercuts, overcuts, tyres, etc.
It’s not just Albon who is having some nerves. Grosjean, despite just re-signing a contract with Haas in a story that has many F1 stunned, he’s making simple errors. To make matters worse worse, Grosjean handed the blame off to his engineer who he claimed caused the spin out of turn 2 over the sausage chicane because he was talking to him during 2 turns. .
Of the last 11 races won at the Singapore Grand Prix, 8 were from the pole sitters. This is why strategy is so important. Qualification importance at Singapore rivals that of Monaco due to it being a one stop strategy typically for the top driver. The Mercedes look very strong, especially Hamilton – but he’s running his softs into the ground. Based on the pace analysis we’ve conducted, Lewis is a fair bit ahead of the other drivers but he’s severely limiting his tyre life.
If Hamilton’s simulations from today are indicative of race strategy Sunday, we’re going to see Hungary 2.0 but in reverse with Max hunting down Lewis. Remember you heard it here first. Below are the simulation times we tracked by team on drivers we could map with significant data on medium tyres aside from Max and Lewis. Notice the gap on mediums between Vettel & Bottas.
Lewis Hamilton – 8 laps for a 1:44.9
Max Verstappen – 6 laps for a 1:45.8
Sebastian Vettel – 7 laps for a 1:46.3
Charles Leclerc – 5 laps for a 1:46.4
Valtteri Bottas – 7 laps for a 1:47.0
I think this is the smoking gun if you are a Vettel plan that gives you hope. Coupled with him being the king of Marina Bay equaling Hamilton’s 4 wins for a Singapore high, Forza Vettel is in full effect.
Singapore Grand Prix FP2 – What To Watch For In FP3
As predicted, Leclerc made it back to the session and Valtteri Bottas was in much better shape than expected. Our race simulations show Red Bull still punching below their weight. The traffic really could be having wide effects with drivers even more cautious than normal to protect their positions and get their lap times in; evident from the Perez – Magnussen incident.
Expect Max to come out more aggressive in the third practice session. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he dips into the low 1:37’s tomorrow ahead of qualifying. Albon conversely has been struggling. I don’t see him recovering this race and expect a Gasly-esque performance in Singapore. Vettel also looks clinical and has shown signs of his technical brilliance on this circuit.
Singapore Grand Prix FP2 – What To Watch For In FP3
As predicted, Leclerc made it back to the session and Valtteri Bottas was in much better shape than expected. Our race simulations show Red Bull still punching below their weight. The traffic really could be having wide effects with drivers even more cautious than normal to protect their positions and get their lap times in; evident from the Perez – Magnussen incident.
Expect Max to come out more aggressive in the third practice session. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he dips into the low 1:37’s tomorrow ahead of qualifying. Albon conversely has been struggling. I don’t see him recovering this race and expect a Gasly-esque performance in Singapore. Vettel also looks clinical and has shown signs of his technical brilliance on this circuit.
The track is full of marbles as this is a green circuit and only used once a year. As the track rubbers in, times will drop tomorrow. FP3 will be the first time we get to see the real Red Bull pace as we see Lewis surprisingly showing his hand early. I think Mercedes were testing to the limits of Perilli’s C5 compound but not because they favored the strategy – more so to see where the limit was. If they do shock everyone for a two stop strategy, it’ll be because Lewis builds a lead based on what he saw today running his red tips into the Singapore dust.
Don’t forget to check out our Singapore Grand Prix FP1 commentary and analysis from the morning session. Here is the video for your convenience, too.
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