Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB18.
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB18.

F1 Singapore Grand Prix - Sergio Perez wins in the wet!

  • Sergio Perez of Red Bull wins the F1 Singapore Grand Prix but "under investigation" for Safety Car infringement
  • Max Verstappen denied the 2022 title today.
  • Lewis Hamilton makes contact with the wall
02 Oct 2022
14:04

All 20 drivers are on intermediates.

14:02

Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C42. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street
Guanyu Zhou (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C42. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

14:00
The grid

Leclerc, Perez, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso, Norris, Gasly, Verstappen, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Stroll, S chumacher, Vettel, Zhou, Bottas, Ricciardo, Ocon, Albon, Latifi and Russell (PL).

13:59

We're five minutes away from the start of the formation lap. 

13:56

Drivers are now being strapped into their cars.

13:49

It's now time for the Singapore national anthem! 

 

13:48

Circuit atmosphere - marshals sweep the circuit of rain water. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix,
Circuit atmosphere - marshals sweep the circuit of rain water. Formula 1…

13:46

Alonso expects it to go from intermediates to slick tyres, like in 2017.

13:42
13:39
The sweepers are at work

Circuit atmosphere - marshals sweep the circuit of rain water. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix,
Circuit atmosphere - marshals sweep the circuit of rain water. Formula 1…

13:39

25 minutes until the formation lap gets underway. It's been a long wait...

13:36
Will the championship be decided tonight? 

Let's not forget that Max Verstappen has the chance to become a two-time world champion tonight. 

Verstappen needs to claim his first victory in Singapore in order to have any chance of sealing the 2022 title tonight, while he also needs nearest rivals Charles Leclerc (who starts from pole) and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez (who starts second) to both have a shocker and score lowly. 

Here is a breakdown of the full permutations

It seems unlikely, given his starting position of eighth, but in these conditions anything could happen. And we know how good Verstappen is in the wet... 

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17,…

13:25
Could we get going sooner?

I agree with Sky Sports F1's Paul di Resta's suggestion that the FIA should cut the pre-race grid procedure in order to get this race started earlier, rather than wait another hour to get going. 

The regulations state that we have a three-hour maximum window to get the race run, which will only take effect when the formation lap begins at 2.05pm UK time. 

Given the extra time for the track to dry out, surely we should have a standing start here on full wet tyres - or possibly intermediates - rather than a rolling start behind the Safety Car. What is the point of having extreme wet tyres if we aren't going to start racing until the track is nearly dry? 

 

13:25

The pit lane is now open!

13:24

Paul di Resta: "If we don't have a standing start then something is wrong!"

13:16

Circuit atmosphere - marshals sweep the circuit of rain water. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix,
Circuit atmosphere - marshals sweep the circuit of rain water. Formula 1…

13:12
13:11

Reminder that George Russell is set to start from the pit lane after taking new power unit components. 

13:08
The king of Singapore!

Sebastian Vettel (GER) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street
Sebastian Vettel (GER) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship,…

13:04
13:03
Before the rain arrived...

Sebastian Vettel (GER) Aston Martin F1 Team on the drivers parade. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand
Sebastian Vettel (GER) Aston Martin F1 Team on the drivers parade. Formula…

13:02
12:58
Update from the FIA

FIA have announced that the starting procedure will commence at 8:05pm local time (1:05pm UK) pit lane will open at 8:25pm and close at 8:35pm.

Formation lap for the race will begin at 9:05pm (2:05pm UK time).

12:46

There will be a further update in 10 minutes...

12:44

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