Following a week off, F1 heads to the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday morning (8 a.m. ET, ESPN).
This year’s Singapore GP will look slightly different than in the past.
The final turn complex at the end of the track will remove the four sharp corners and replace them with a longer straight section of track before the final corner. This will help teams that aren’t as strong in slower corners but will also help with brake and tire cooling.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit was one of the highest downforce tracks on the calendar, but this will be slightly less pronounced with the changes to the track. Corner-exit traction is critical here for acceleration out of corners.
Red Bull will have the advantage over the rest of the field, of course, as they have won every race this season. However, the battle for the next-best teams is always more interesting as it changes with every course type.
This week at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, there are multiple ways to take advantage of the differing strengths between these cars.
F1 Singapore Grand Prix Picks
George Russell vs. Charles Leclerc
Mercedes is likely the best non-Red Bull vehicle in the field this weekend. Between them and McLaren, these two will be most equipped to challenge for spots on the podium.
This Mercedes vehicle is potentially the best in the pack in slow corners, maybe even rivaling Red Bull.
On the other hand, this is where Ferrari struggles. They have had no rear grip all season, causing their car to slide around, accelerate slowly and burn up tires when coming off of these slow corners.
With Mercedes as one of the favorites and likely struggles looming for Ferrari, this is the perfect bet to take advantage of this difference in equipment.
The Pick: George Russell over Charles Leclerc (-120 at BetMGM)
Oscar Piastri Top Six
As mentioned above, this McLaren could pose a threat this weekend as well. While McLaren excels most in medium-speed corners, they should be solid in these slower corners as well.
Not that too much should be gleaned from this, but in last year’s Singapore GP, both McLarens finished in the top five.
Oscar Piastri has had a run of bad luck over the last few races, but this is where he can regain his stronger form from earlier in the summer. Piastri should have a strong chance to battle for a top-six position, so I like taking him at plus odds this weekend.
The Pick: Oscar Piastri Top 6 Finish (+125 at BetMGM)
Alpine Best of the Rest (Qualifying)
Alpine has been the best team in the mid-pack this year at high downforce tracks. This was on full display at Monaco with Esteban Ocon’s podium, but they have been strong at other high downforce tracks this season as well.
Reliability has been a major issue for Alpine, however, and that's why I like looking toward qualifying this weekend more than the race.
This circuit is very well suited to Alpine’s strengths, and they may get two cars into Q3.
