Singapore’s not-so surprise - Singapore Grand Prix report

Esther Kienapfel

Sep 22, 20242 min read

The 18th Grand Prix of the season just finished. Singapore may not have been the most thrilling race of the season but most definitely a satisfying race, especially if you were watching as a McLaren fan.

The start was relatively unspectacular, with a few overtakes but no big surprises.

William’s Colapinto divebombed his own teammate, Albon, who lost four positions because of that.

During the next 11 laps a few overtakes took place, namely Colapinto and Perez, the latter overtaking, and Sainz and Tsunoda, Sainz overtaking the VCarb driver. In the previously mentioned lap Ricciardo and Albon, who started on soft tyres, boxed as well. Sadly Albon had to retire his car only 7 laps later, due to still unknown reasons.

In lap 28 Russell, previously on 3, fought with Piastri, who ended up overtaking him, after Russell was called to the box, in order to try an undercut.

Two laps later the two first placed drivers, in both the race and the championship, boxed too. Verstappen’s team reacted to Norris informing McLaren that he has small front wing damage, due to slightly hitting the wall. Both of them boxed in the same round and while Verstappen fell back to behind Leclerc Norris retained his first position and then kept extending his lead. Piastri, following on p2, then boxed 9 laps later, but through a few fights, one of them being against Russell once again in lap 44-45, he managed to go back up to p3.

The last 12 laps were not very exciting. In lap 50 Magnussen got a puncture and had another pit stop, which was not very useful, because he ended up retiring in lap 61. Riccardo boxed again in the same lap and secured himself the fastest lap time and the position of driver of the day in his presumed last race.

Norris ended up winning the Singapore Grand Prix. He was the first driver in 10 Grand Prix to lead from the start until the very end. He was followed by Verstappen in p2, Piastri in p3, Russell in p4, Leclerc in p5, Hamilton in p6, Sainz in p7, Alonso in p8, Hulkenberg in p9 and Perez in p10. The top 10 were followed by Colapinto in p11, who fought to the last second, Tsunoda in p12, Ocon in p13, Stroll in p14, Zhou in p15, Bottas in p16, Gasly in p17, Ricciardo in p18, Magnussen in p19 and Albon in p20.

Congratulations again to McLaren for both of their drivers great job and their great car.

Now we have to wait for almost a month until the next race, taking place in the United States. Let’s see what the formula one has in store for us then!