F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Singapore Speed Trap: who is the fastest of them all?

Singapore's Marina Bay circuit offers many challenges, but straight-line speed isn't among the venue's most important factors.

As a maximum down force track, Marina Bay's average speed is only 13km/h higher than at Monaco, so the engineering emphasis is on slow-speed grip, good turn-in and traction.

A look at the speed trap readings from qualifying shows us that Ferrari - despite its SF71-H speeding down through the night down Raffles Boulevard faster than any other car - still came up short overall against Mercedes.

At the other end of the spectrum, one will note the rather depressed top speed of Max Verstappen despite the Red Bull driver's fantastic runner-up spot in qualifying.

The Dutchman has been complaining all weekend of a chronic issue impacting his new Spec-C Renault power unit. The readings here clearly confirm the legitimacy of his frustrations, and his incredible ability to surmount the problem.

Max lost 0.45s on the straights, but ended up 0.31s off pole. Enough said...

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

 

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Norris admits ‘very bad job’ as McLaren’s pace goes to waste

Lando Norris emerged from Saturday’s qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas convinced that McLaren…

28 minutes ago

‘No need to smile’: Verstappen unimpressed despite COTA P2

Max Verstappen emerged from qualifying for the United States Grand Prix with a front-row starting…

2 hours ago

United States GP: Saturday's action in pictures

While Ferrari dominated once again Saturday’s final dress rehearsal, it was Kimi Antonelli who popped…

10 hours ago

United States GP: Antonelli beats Verstappen to thrilling Austin pole

Kimi Antonelli delivered when it mattered most at the Circuit of the Americas, snatching pole…

11 hours ago

United States Grand Prix - Qualifying results

Full results from qualifying for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the…

11 hours ago

Budkowski’s Austin comments raise fresh doubts over Bottas

Cadillac is in the final stretch of its first season in Formula 1, and questions…

13 hours ago