Best bets, Formula 1 tips & analysis for the Singapore Grand Prix practice on Friday
Where to watch the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday
Practice one & two
Sky Sports F1, 10.30am & 2pm Friday
Practice three & qualifying
Sky F1, 10.30am & 2pm Saturday
Race
Sky Sports F1, 1pm Sunday
Best bet
Max Verstappen fastest in practice one
1pt 7-1 general
Singapore Grand Prix practice predictions
The last four runnings of the Singapore Grand Prix have seen four different winning drivers, none of whom were named Max Verstappen.
The fact that two of those came before the Red Bull ace’s championship era makes the stat less remarkable. However, that last year’s race at Marina Bay was the only one Verstappen did not win in the last 13 events of the season is more noteworthy.
After a dominant start to this season, Red Bull have gone totally off the rails, and while they were in contention for victory in Azerbaijan last weekend, the car in question was being driven by Sergio Perez. The Mexican staged a barely believable turnaround in form in Baku and a repeat seems unlikely.
While strong results continue to elude Red Bull, they have at least been starting weekends promisingly.
Verstappen was quickest by three tenths of a second in the opening practice in Baku and his form in Practice One since his last victory reads 1421211.
That makes the 7-1 available for the Dutchman to top the times in the first session in Singapore very tempting.
Verstappen’s championship lead was trimmed to 59 points after the Azerbaijan race and his closest pursuer Lando Norris is 15-8 to gain his third win of the season this weekend.
The Briton’s McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, the winner in Baku, is 4-1 along with Italian Grand Prix victor Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, while last year’s Singapore hero, Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz, is a 7-1 chance.