F1: Top 5 Races at Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore

The Marina Bay street circuit which has been hosting the Singapore Grand Prix since 2008 is known for deploying safety car at least once during every race. 17 times safety car has been deployed in the ten Singapore Grand Prix that has happened.

That is how challenging the scenic circuit is, demanding high precision skills from the drivers. Despite the challenges and the controversial turn 10 chicane issues Fernando Alonso has been the only driver consistent at Marina Bay, has finished in top 5 for 8 times in 10 races.

Here are the top 5 races at Singapore

#5 2008 Singapore Grand Prix

The inaugural race at Singapore was the first night-time event to happen in Formula One history. This race is infamously known for the controversy involved in it. Flouting the controversy, the race was a spectacle for everyone and especially if you are a fan of Fernando Alonso. The Spanish racer who could manage only a 15th spot at qualifying due to engine issues went on to win the race, which was his first in that season. Massa who started the race at pole kept increasing his lead from Hamilton and Raikkonen who were trailing behind him.

Alonso’s hunt to podium started off by going past Jarno Trulli who begun the race with heavy fuel load. Alonso was the first one to take the pit as early as in 12th lap and got his tank with light fuel load which was right away establishing his strategy to pass the cars in front of him.

The controversial crash of Piquet at 17th lap brought the Safety car into race, regulations back then ruled that pit lane would be closed until all cars are picked by the Safety car.

This regulation eliminated the advantage of the cars in lead. Ferrari’s Massa faced a delayed pit stop as the fuel hose was prematurely released, which pulled him further down at the standings from his pole position. Massa finished the race at the 13th place having started the race at the pole.

Renault’s debatable strategy of making Alonso opt for an early pit paid off, as he gained the lead in the final third of the race and clinched the title of first Singapore Grand Prix.

#4 2013 Singapore Grand Prix

The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s hat-trick wins at Marina Bay completed at 2013 Singapore Grand Prix. The 6th night race in Formula One at same circuit got some more modifications to the ‘Singapore Sling’ chicane at the turn 10. This modification cut down to a single change in direction and the curbs were removed which was there to mark the chicane.

The race demanded a good tire strategy as the tire manufacturers Pirelli stated that their medium compound is two seconds slower per lap than the supersoft tires. Vettel was dominating the entire race weekend right from practice sessions, qualifying rounds and went on to win the race from pole position.

Kimi Raikkonen who started the race at 13th spot raised up in the standings and got a podium finish, aiding to the perfect tire strategy. While Nico Rosberg was at the receiving end of the failed tire strategy, finished the race at the 4th spot having started the race ay 2nd spot.

#3 2017 Singapore Grand Prix

The 14th round of 2017 Formula One world championship was the Singapore Grand Prix, prior to the start of the race the circuit was extended contract till 2021 season. Red Bull seemed to have the advantage over both their rivals Mercedes and Ferrari, as Max Verstappen was quickest in both the Q1 and Q2 qualifying rounds. Then in the final round, Ferrari’s Vettel took the pole followed by Verstappen and Ricciardo.

The race saw both the Ferraris getting eliminated in the very first lap of the race, which happens to be the first time in the entire Formula One history. Verstappen in middle of both the Ferraris collided with Raikkonen who then lost control and hit the left sidepod of Vettel causing significant damage to both. The collision caused the immediate retirement of Verstappen and Raikkonen.

While Vettel’s damaged car subsequently retired after spinning out of the track due to the damage caused during the collision. The collision at turn one also had Alonso as a victim who was also forced to retire at the 9th lap. Post the Saftey car periods Lewis Hamilton went on to win the race with a comfortable lead over Ricciardo.

#2 2014 Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Airlines has been sponsoring the Singapore Grand Prix from the 2014 season. Despite the four lead changes among three different drivers during the course of the race, the pole sitter Lewis Hamilton went on to the win the race with a comfortable lead of 13 seconds. The British driver who briefly lost his lead to Red Bull’s Vettel at his final pit stop managed to go past him to take his seventh win of the season.

Nico Rosberg who was contending for the championship that season started this race from pit lane as he was not able to get off the dummy grid in the formation lap. Rosberg’s woe got worse when he was forced to retire at 13th lap due to gearbox failure. So, the battle for the 2nd spot was between Vettel, Ricciardo, and Alonso.

In the last few laps, all the cars were covered by less than a second, neither Ricciardo or Alonso could make any progress ahead and Vettel held on for second place while Ricciardo made to the final podium position.

#1 2010 Singapore Grand Prix

This race is regarded as one the greatest Formula One races of all time and also considered to be Alonso’s best race till date. The Spanish star though went on to win the race from pole position it was not that easy as the Red Bull’s Vettel was right behind him battling for the top spot, finished the race just 0.2 seconds behind Alonso.

Former Formula One Champion of Ferrari, Schumacher making his comeback from retirement made headlines from this race for wrong reasons, as he collided with Heidfeld’s rear end ending his race at 37th lap, while Schumacher limped back to pit lane to replace his damaged front wing.

Another dramatic moment of the race was when Kovalainen’s Lotus car caught fire at the penultimate lap of the race, which was doused off by Kovalainen himself with help of a borrowed extinguisher from Williams team right at the main straight course road

Edited by Kishan Prasad