5 predictions for the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix

A premier event on the roster, few races are about as titillating as they are fancy as the Singapore Grand Prix, first held at the Marina Bay back in 1966.

Now, in round fifteen of the 2018 Formula 1 season, the bright lights at the Marina Bay are looking all set to experience some lightning-fast Grand Prix racing of a very high class.

Beginning from the top is Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who, in the process of clinching his 79th career pole has caught the attention- by his usual standards- once again, at a track where it was expected that the Ferrari might dominate proceedings.

Having said that, what could be the 5 possible outcomes at the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix where, for now, it seems an out-and-out Hamilton show?

#1 Max wins

F1 Grand Prix of Singapore - Qualifying — Verstappen will reign

Gaining his second win of the season, his first since the impressive triumph at Spielberg (Austria), Verstappen will pass Hamilton eventually after the duo will grind it out for the opening 20 laps. Later on, upon seeing Lewis skidding out of the track, Max would be pursued keenly by Ferrari's Vettel.

But due to the blistering pace of the Red Bull, going fast as ever especially on a track suited to its corner speed and steady race pace will reward the perseverance of the 20-year-old in the form of another scintillating triumph. Great news for the Orange army.

#2 Ricciardo finishes on the podium

Not since 2015 has Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo managed a position any lesser than second at the Marina Bay.

This year too, he'll be on the podium. In making early moves over Raikkonen, who begins ahead of him but only by a dainty margin and later on, Bottas, the flying Aussie will demonstrate his true grit and keep others involved in massively defending from him.

In so doing, Ricciardo will outpace most others in pursuit and will battle hard to find himself yet another podium, though behind Vettel. A third-placed finish won't exactly pinch, would it Dan?

#3 Raikkonen sets the fastest lap

The Iceman, having demonstrated just what is capable of, having set a record lap at Monza, where he went flying at 1:19:119, will once again show his pace. Though he will just miss out on the podium somehow, he will deliver a race worth remembering.

Despite finishing inside the top ten, possibly fourth, he'll display an example of his dogged speed and will be awarded the "DHL Fastest Lap" of the race award. He'll set a 1:36:100 as the fastest lap on the softer compounds in the closing stages of the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix.

#4 Hamilton retires

Usually, the headline is Hamilton winning, not retiring, isn't it?

Having clinched yet another memorable pole, Hamilton looks all set to win, just that it may not happen.

What might actually happen though, is that owing to exerting early pressure on his tyres, Hamilton, who'll deliver a belter of a few opening laps will spiral out of control somewhere on the middle sector and will crash into the barriers. What's next? Cheers for Sebastian.

#5 Leclerc gets his second P6 of the year

For almost a week now, Sauber driver Charles Leclerc has been the subject of discussion, if not any debate considering his 2019 future. Having bagged a seat at the Prancing Horse, the future for his young guy looks really bright.

After all, having been winning consistently since 2016, in his run-up to the top-most echelons of Grand Prix racing, Leclerc has regularly reminded one of his talent. A great example of this was his personal best run at Baku, where he secured a sixth. This was an epic drive. At the Marina Bay, Leclerc might emerge back from the oblivious positions further down the grid and will break beautifully into the top ten.