Showing posts with label Singapore GP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore GP. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 October 2026
RECORD BREAKING ATTENDANCE AT 2026 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
301,294 fans. A sold-out #SingaporeGP weekend. 3 days of non-stop action 🏁✨
The 17th edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix drew 301,294 fans to the Marina Bay Street Circuit – the second-highest attendance on record and the highest since the track change in 2023.
Beyond the track – record hospitality attendance, more than 11 premium offerings, the new floating Barge Stage in Zone 1, and the expanded Waterside enclave in Zone 4 gave fans even more ways to soak up the action.🏎️
Saturday, 10 October 2026
Friday, 9 October 2026
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
VALTTERI BOTTAS HAS ARRIVED IN SINGAPORE BY WAY OF CYCLING
Valtteri Bottas has officially arrived in Singapore… on two wheels. 🚴♂️🇸🇬
After covering 419.67 km by bike, he’s already ridden farther than the maximum 305.337 km he can race on Sunday. 😭
Cyclist first, F1 driver second? 😂
#ValtteriBottas #F1 #SingaporeGP #Formula1
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
GEORGE RUSSELL TO START SINGAPORE GP FROM BACK OF GRID AFTER FRESH PENALTY
George Russell's already slim title hopes appear fainter after a back-of-the-grid penalty was confirmed by Mercedes.
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| © XPB Images |
George Russell is to start this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid after his costly power unit failure in the Bahrain GP.
Behind the safety car in Sepang, Russell pulled the Mercedes off to the side of the track with a power unit failure - the second of the season to strike the Briton following the Canadian GP.
Russell was already set to take one grid penalty in the closing stages of the season when Mercedes introduced its ADUO-boosted engine upgrade, believed to be in the United States GP in Austin.
A team spokesman has confirmed to RacingNews365 that Russell will be taking a new power unit in Singapore - and will incur the back-of-the-grid penalty.
At this stage, it is still to be confirmed if the ADUO-boosted engine could be fast-tracked into the W17 for Russell or if this new power unit he will take will be of the current specification.
If the ADUO-boosted engine is brought into Russell's pool, it would negate the need for a "double whammy" penalty of Russell taking a back-of-the-grid start for his old-spec engine, and then taking another such penalty for the ADUO upgrade.
Russell's penalty will be served in the grand prix itself on Sunday and not during the Sprint race, where he will start where he qualifies, save any in-weekend penalties for himself or other drivers, which either demote or promote him, respectively.
Team-mate Kimi Antonelli took his own batch of fresh components at the Italian GP, storming from 19th on the grid to win, although overtaking on the streets of Marina Bay is a far tougher prospect.
Following the power unit failure in Sepang, coupled with Antonelli scoring 18 points for second place, the points gap between the Mercedes team-mates opened to 84.
Antonelli cannot win the title in Singapore, with 150 points remaining after the weekend, but if he were to score a maximum of 33 points through victories in the Sprint and grand prix, with Russell not scoring a point, the Italian could be crowned world champion at the United States GP in Austin.
- Jake Nichol
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
MERCEDES SPONSOR CEO APOLOGISES AFTER F1 SINGAPORE GP CELEBRATION SPARK BACKLASH
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| Petronas CEO Taufik and George Russell celebrated the team's win at the Singapore GP |
Petronas CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik has apologised after participating in champagne spraying during the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix podium ceremony.
The incident occurred last weekend after George Russell clinched the victory at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, marking Mercedes’ first win in Singapore since 2018.
Having been chosen to represent Mercedes on the podium, Taufik joined the top three – which included Max Verstappen and Lando Norris – in celebrating the result.
In the excitement of the moment, he joined in the customary champagne spraying that occurs on the rostrum, a move that drew controversy back home in Malaysia.
Taufik, who has been CEO of Petronas since 2020, stated that he had not intended to offend anyone.
Meanwhile, he recognised that his actions may have been insensitive, particularly in light of cultural and religious considerations.
“I acknowledge that my spur-of-the-moment exuberance in celebrating that moment of victory may have been misplaced,” he said in a statement reported by The Straits Times.
“While I can categorically state I did not consume any alcohol, as a Muslim, I should have been more aware of the sensitivities associated with taking part in such celebrations.
“I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions.”
The apology followed online criticism from netizens. Comments from members of Malaysia’s Islamic political party PAS and Bersatu’s youth wing, Armada, who said the act was inappropriate for a prominent Muslim leader representing a national company, followed.
Backlash and broader context
Petronas – Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas corporation – has been Mercedes’ title sponsor since the German marque returned to F1 as a constructor in 2010.
The partnership has been one of the most successful in modern F1 history, with 122 race wins and multiple championship titles since their collaboration began.
In F1, alcohol-free sparkling beverages are used at podium ceremonies in countries where alcohol consumption or promotion is restricted. This includes Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Singapore, however, does not impose such restrictions, and the use of traditional champagne is standard practice there.
The annual hosting of the Singapore GP also holds special significance for Petronas, as it is the closest race to Malaysia in geographical terms.
In his statement, Taufik reiterated his regret. He said the experience served as a reminder of the importance of cultural awareness in international settings.
He added that he remains committed to upholding the values of Petronas and representing Malaysia “with integrity and respect” in all future engagements.
- Lena Ferle
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
LEWIS HAMILTON POKES FUN AT FERNANDO ALONSO FOR SINGAPORE GP RADIO RANT
Lewis Hamilton responds via Instagram
Lewis Hamilton has responded to Fernando Alonso’s post-race rant over team radio at the Singapore Grand Prix.
F1’s most experienced drivers ended Sunday’s race just four-tenths apart at the chequered flag.
Hamilton was over 40 seconds ahead of Alonso, running in sixth place.
However, a late-race brake issue meant Hamilton had to drive the final two laps at an incredibly slow pace.
In a bid to get around the track safely, Hamilton cut several corners, which ultimately allowed him to stay ahead of Alonso.
Hamilton’s brake issue – combined with his tactics on the final lap to stay ahead of Alonso – annoyed the Aston Martin driver.
This led to an extraordinary radio message from the two-time F1 world champion.
Alonso said over team radio: “Oh, fu**ing hell, man. I cannot believe it. Yeah, he knew it. I cannot fu**ing believe it, I cannot fu**ing believe it. I mean, I cannot fu**ing believe it. I cannot fu**ing believe it.
“Is it safe to drive with no brakes? Oh, he should…”
His engineer replied: “Yeah, no, no, we are looking to, we agree, we're checking track limits and stuff as well. You see, there's a margin there. Run switch warm-up, mate, run switch warm-up. That is P8 anyway, so good recovery.”
Alonso added: “Yeah, but this should be fu**ing P7. I mean, you cannot drive. Like if you are alone on track. Yeah, I mean, no respect the red flag yesterday, today, free track for them. I mean, maybe too much.”
Alonso was promoted to seventh after Hamilton was handed a five-second time penalty following the race.
HAMILTON RESPONDS
Hamilton has responded to Alonso with a subtle post on his Instagram story.
Captioned “18 years off…”, Hamilton posted a compilation from the British comedy One Foot in the Grave, in which the main character repeatedly exclaims: “I don’t believe it!”
It’s not the first time Hamilton has hit back at his former teammate.
Following previous comments from Alonso about Hamilton’s world titles – and the level of competition he faced in some of them – the seven-time world champion posted a cryptic tweet.
The post by Hamilton was simply an image of him pointing his finger at Alonso when they were teammates at McLaren.
The photo was from the 2007 United States Grand Prix, where Hamilton had beaten Alonso to the win.
- Connor McDonagh
Monday, 6 October 2025
Sunday, 5 October 2025
SINGAPORE GP: WILLIAMS RACING DISQUALIFIED FROM QUALIFYING
Despite seeing their cars finish qualifying for the 2025 Singapore GP in 12th & 13th with Alex Albon leading Carlos Sainz post session checks by the FIA would see both Williams Racing cars disqualified due to issues with the DRS and it's allowable dimensions.
Qualifying for the 2025 Singapore GP had seen the Atlassian Williams Racing Team finish with both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon not making it past Q2. Alex would finish in 12th and Carlos 13th.
But in post-session checks by the FIA it was announced that for both Williams cars the uppermost rear wing elements exceeded the allowed limits. The FIA confirmed the measurement: “Both cars exceeded the maximum limit of 85mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.”
The infringement falls under article 3.10.10 g. of the technical regulations, which governs the Drag Reduction System (DRS). The rule requires that, when deployed, the gap between sections of the rear wing must remain between 9.4mm and 85mm across the span.
This would see both Williams cars disqualified from qualifying. The Williams team had conducted their own measurements on both cars prior to qualifying but these measurements were shown to be incorrect based on the FIA's own checks.
The FIA stated: “The competitor did not contest the measurement procedure, the methodology, or the accuracy of the measuring equipment used by FIA.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles described the disqualification as a setback, emphasising that no performance advantage was sought. (Statement below)
James Vowles Team Principal:
"During FIA scrutineering after Qualifying, the rear wings on both our cars failed DRS slot gap checks. As a result, Alex and Carlos have been disqualified from Qualifying for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. This is bitterly disappointing for the team and we are urgently investigating how this happened.
At no point were we seeking a performance advantage and the rear wings had passed our own checks earlier in the day, but there is only one measurement that matters and we fully accept the FIA ruling. We have a car capable of scoring points here this weekend and will do everything we can to fight from the back of the grid tomorrow, and will immediately review our processes to make sure this doesn’t happen again."
- Williams Racing - Andrew Hooper
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