F1 news: Three of the most memorable Singapore Grand Prix races
Oscar Piastri beat Charles Leclerc to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory last weekend after his audacious divebomb on the Monegasque going into turn one.
This week, the Formula 1 paddock heads to Singapore for round 18 of the 2024 season with McLaren now leading the constructors’ championship over Red Bull.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Harry Whitfield looks at three of the most unforgettable races at the Marina Bay Street Circuit over the years.
2008: Crashgate
In 2008, the biggest story of the year was perhaps Lewis Hamilton winning his first F1 championship in only his second season.
However, many remember the infamous incident dubbed ‘Crashgate’ that took place at the inaugural Singapore GP held at the Marina Bay circuit.
Renault driver Fernando Alonso started from P15 but won the race after he pitted just before the Safety Car was deployed and eventually inherited the race lead.
The Safety Car came out due to his team-mate, Nelson Piquet Jr, crashing into the wall two laps after Alonso had pitted.
The FIA investigation revealed that Piquet Jr was ordered to crash on purpose by Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and engineer Pat Symonds to help hand the two-time world champion the race victory.
2023: Sainz DRS Masterclass
Last season was dominated by Red Bull with Max Verstappen winning 19 times, but the one race they didn’t win was the 2023 Singapore GP.
It was the one race that Red Bull struggled at as both of their drivers qualified outside the top 10, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking pole from George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
Sainz led comfortably for most of the race until the Mercedes duo took advantage of a Virtual Safety Car to pit onto fresher tyres and chase down the Ferrari driver and Lando Norris.
However, Sainz deliberately allowed Norris to stay within DRS to make it harder for the Mercedes drivers to pass the McLaren and then challenge him for the win.
On the last lap, Russell clipped the wall and crashed into the barriers, ending his challenge for the win and sealing a famous victory for the Spanish driver.
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2017: Verstappen and Ferraris go bowling
Of course, no one can forget the spectacular opening-lap collision between Max Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel in a soaking-wet 2017 Singapore GP.
The first race to be staged at night with wet weather conditions, Vettel started from pole position with the dominant Mercedes cars down the order.
Raikkonen got an amazing start and pulled alongside Verstappen on the left with Vettel to the right of the Red Bull.
The Dutchman was in a Ferrari sandwich and the three spectacularly collided with each other, immediately retiring Verstappen and Raikkonen with debris shattering everywhere into turn one.
The German driver carried on until he spun due to extensive damage to the car, handing an unexpected lead to Lewis Hamilton, as he cruised home for his seventh victory of the season.
