Ahead Of The 2023 Singapore Grand Prix: Who Can Challenge Red Bull?

The spark from behind the Fq Red Bull car at the Maraina Bay Circuit, Singapore last year. (photo: twitter @redbullracing)

JAKARTA - The Marina Bay Circuit will return to the Formula 1 arena on the night. This is a special beginning because teams and riders, have to adapt to the atmosphere of the Asian continent. A change in time difference and different weather conditions will be a challenge in itself, apart from the festive news ahead of this race.

Big news comes from Alfa Romeo, a Swiss F1 team run by Sauber, who announced that Zhou Guanyu will remain part of their team for 2024. The final signature of this refined document is believed to have only been signed minutes before the official announcement is made.

Attention then turned to this weekend, with the prospect of a potential Grand Prix very exciting along Marina Bay's path. Several revisions have been made in the last segment of the track, with four corners removed due to the construction of an event venue - and this results in shorter laps and potential opportunities for overtaking more. Of course there is an exciting guarantee that drivers can overtaking in this area, or there will be more opportunities than the previous season.

"In my opinion, this will make racing even more exciting," said George Russell of Mercedes. "In my opinion, Singapore is a very good circuit to drive, but it's a bit difficult to race here. Historically, only Turn 5 is an opportunity to overtaking, while now I hope that at Turn 16, there will be another opportunity," Russel was quoted as saying by F1 News.

But the question that arises is that the riders will be able to catch up with Red Bull, who is technically the strength and speed above the average car that competes? The world champion survives this constructor is unbeaten in 2023. Even Max Verstappen maish is the leader of the standings who won 10 consecutive races. RB19 has been the best on the pitch - maybe even the best car ever in Formula 1.

"We understand these new regulations very well," Verstappen said. "And yes, when you have good people in every position, you can achieve something like what you're seeing right now."

But Verstappen isn't sure they're going to enjoy the same benefits as on most of the track this year as cars pave the circuit this weekend. "I don't think we're as competitive as other circuits," he said. "road circuits are a little more difficult for our car. I still think we can do a good job but it's going to be very tight."

In fact, if Red Bull weren't as strong on some circuits like this year, they would still be hard to beat. Sergio Perez won the race here last year while Verstappen, who has never won a Singapore race, looks unbeaten every time he gets behind the wheel of this year's race.

But there are times this year when they really have to fight and it is estimated that this weekend could be one of them.

"Last year, we had a very fast car and unfortunately we didn't make full use of it over the weekend," Russell said. "But I think right now it's very tight between ourselves, Ferrari and McLaren. Aston Martin fluctuates in performance."

"Hopefully, we can slightly reduce the distance to Red Bull here, at high downforce circuits. So, I think this is a fight for second place on the pitch. But you have to complete every detail perfectly because it will be very tight," he added.

Ferrari is in good form right now after their strongest weekend of the year, with Carlos Sainz picking up his first pole position and podium this year at Monza and team-mate Charles Leclerc finishing in fourth.

Their achievements in Italy are very specific depending on the circuit, with the team diverting resources to produce special packages for the race to maximize the strength of their cars at home.

Scuderia is quite realistic that repeating the best performance at Monza is often up for Singapore, but competition to be the best team for both teams is still wide open.

"I think it could be Aston, Mercedes, McLaren, or even Alpine if they were as competitive as the Zandvoort," Sainz said. "I think Red Bull will come one step ahead but if we do everything well, then anything can happen."

Aston Martin is a more difficult team to predict. They had already felt the peak with seven podiums at the start of this season and felt disappointment at Monza where they lost the pace to compete. Fernando Alonso said he hoped it would be better in Singapore, but was "it's hard to say".

"At Monza, we are not competitive, that's for sure. Here, we hope to be in a bit better condition, but I think everything is very tight. And some street circuits like Monaco, we feel good. In Baku, we are not good. So, I think we have to wait and see. As I said, we will start from the 1st free practice session to build momentum, "said Alonzo.

The most dramatic race start we've ever seen in Singapore 😱#SingaporeGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Z2WWmxScER

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 13, 2023

The most dramatic race start we've ever seen in Singapore #SingaporeGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Z2WmxScER

McLaren could be a surprise this weekend, as they approach a circuit that would be more suitable for them than the last race at Monza. In addition, they have an earlier than planned upgrade. This means they only have one package to be installed in the Lando Norris car, with team-mates Oscar Piastri going to get it in Japan.

"We haven't had a session on the track yet, so we have to wait until everything goes well," Norris said. "But yes, this is a good move, the team has worked hard to get to this, for one of the cars here and then Oscar will get it in Japan later. So, two weekends are interesting for us."

So, overall, it seems that Red Bull has an advantage, but there are four teams very close behind, with leaders from the group often changing from race to race. Everything is ready for a potentially very interesting weekend ahead.