Sergio Perez wins Singapore Grand Prix despite penalty
Is it better to be lucky or good. Or both? After a good race at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari were hoping things would turn out lucky for them -- a safety car issue late in the race put Sergio Perez's win in some doubt, and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari would be the benefactor should the issue be enforced.
Like many things under the lights at the Marina Bay Circuit, it didn't go Ferrari's way. Red Bull Racing's Perez was indeed penalized, but the penalty handed out added only five seconds to his time. Perez won by 7.5 seconds over Leclerc, who after chasing down the Mexican driver and trying to pass him several times in the final stages of the race, backed off as told by his team that Perez was facing a timing penalty for the safety car infraction.
Early on, the Singapore Grand Prix looked to be swinging in their direction on Saturday when Leclerc took the pole. Combined with the poor qualifying of championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull, that gave them some hope. That was dashed right at the start as Verstappen's teammate, Perez, made a bold move a soon as the track went green and snatched the lead from Leclerc on a circuit that was damp from rain that delayed the start.
Pérez wins Singapore GP as Verstappen missed chance to clinch F1 title
Sergio Perez celebrates after winning the Singapore Grand Prix for Red Bull. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters
Verstappen's Title on Hold After Perez Wins in Singapore
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico celebrates on the podium after winning the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, at the Marina Bay City Circuit in Singapore, Sunday, Oct.2, 2022. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Max Verstappen's Formula One title celebrations were put on hold after the Red Bull driver placed seventh at a chaotic Singapore Grand Prix, won by his teammate Sergio Perez on Sunday.
Perez's second win of the season saw him crossing the line 7.6 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. in third place. Perez was subsequently handed a five-second time penalty for not staying within 10 lengths of the safety car when following behind. But the Mexican driver's lead over Leclerc covered him enough to keep victory by 2.6 seconds.
The 32-year-old Perez won the Monaco GP in May and now has four career wins. “It was certainly my best performance, I controlled the race,” Perez said. “The last few laps was so intense I didn’t feel it that much in the car but when I got out I felt it. I gave everything for the win today.”
Sergio Perez wins Singapore Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc fails to convert from pole again
Sergio Perez claimed his second victory of the Formula 1 season on Sunday, taking the lead from Charles Leclerc on the very first lap and holding on to win a dramatic Singapore Grand Prix in wet conditions.
The Red Bull driver avoided an investigation for a potential safety car infringement, but he would have needed a penalty of more than five seconds to deny him the win and hand Leclerc a reprieve after the Ferrari man failed to convert from pole position yet again. The race was delayed by more than an hour after heavy rain around the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore, and once the action finally began, it was Perez who was sharpest in overtaking Leclerc at once.
Meanwhile, the Mexican’s Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen needed a lot to go his way – including a win – to claim his second consecutive F1 title here, but the Dutch-Belgian struggled after starting eighth and ultimately finished seventh, having slid off the track at one point. Meanwhile, a first victory of the season continues to elude Lewis Hamilton, who started fourth but ended up ninth after hitting the barrier in a grand prix where numerous cars failed to finish.
2022 F1 Singapore GP: Winners and Losers
That was one action-packed Singapore GP for the fans
Welcome back, F1 Singapore GP! The race made a return to the sport's calendar with a bang.
The race was delayed by an hour due to a pre-race rain shower. When it did begin, it displayed the kind of high-level driving and action that was fitting for a race that made a return after three years. In the end, Sergio Perez was the first driver to cross the checkered flag ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Whenever Perez wins, it's a feel-good moment, but given how the race panned out, there will be quite a few who will be heading home with a sour taste in their mouth. The 2022 F1 Singapore GP was rewarding for some, but for others not so much. Who are they? Well, let's find out as we take a look at the winners and losers for the 2022 F1 Singapore GP.
F1 results: Singapore GP and World Championship standings
Perez’s win brings him to only two points behind Leclerc, while a single point now separates Sainz and George Russell.
Verstappen had the opportunity to secure his second consecutive world title in the Singapore Grand Prix, but a dismal performance in qualifying and an unimpressive race put the championship out of his reach, at least for the weekend. He continues to have an overwhelming 104-point lead over Leclerc, and will have another chance to clinch the trophy in the 18th round of the competition.
The next stop for Formula 1 is Japan, to be held next weekend over 53 laps of the 3,608-mile Suzuka International Racing Course.
F1 Singapore Grand Prix records highest attendance in race’s 13-year history
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen drives during the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on Oct 1, 2022. (Photo: ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)
Tickets for the event have sold out, with about 302,000 fans attending the three-day event. This is the largest attendance since the first night race in 2008 where 300,000 were in attendance.
The last edition of the race, held in 2019, drew 268,000 spectators. The Singapore Grand Prix was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A contract was signed in January for Singapore to host the F1 Grand Prix for another seven years - the longest extension for the race to date.
All you need to know about the F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2022
Aerial view of the Marina Bay street circuit, where the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix will be held from 2022 to 2028. (PHOTO: Singapore GP Pte Ltd)
Formula One racing makes its return to Singapore from 30 September to 2 October, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The F1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix will be held for the 13th time as a night race at the Marina Bay street circuit, and continue to do so until 2028, following a contract extension signed in January this year.
Also returning are the entertainment acts on the sideline of the event, as stars such as Green Day, Black Eyed Peas and Westlife are set to thrill their fans amid the rip-roaring action on the race track.
F1 set for lights, cameras and action again at the Marina Bay Street Circuit
The driver to beat will be reigning F1 World Champion Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman not just going for his sixth-straight race victory, and Red Bull’s first at Marina Bay since 2013, but a second-straight title. But, a lot has to go right for him to secure that crown, including at least the win, while rival Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc must be in ninth or lower, and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez – who is looking to become the first to win in Monaco and Singapore in the same season since 2011 – must be fourth or lower.
“It’s important to have a good qualifying lap here so we’ll be focusing on that,” said Verstappen, who has scored 11 wins from 16 races so far this season, with just two more needed to equal the most wins in a single campaign record held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. “It’s very difficult to do a perfect lap here because of tight turns and how close the walls are. I don’t really think about the Championship, I just want to have a positive weekend on track and take it race by race, there’s no rush."
Full weekend race schedule | How to watch on TV
After a three-week break, the F1 2022 season resumes this weekend with the Singapore Grand Prix.
F1’s first-ever night race makes a welcome return to the calendar this season after an enforced three-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The punishing Marina Bay Street Circuit and high humidity levels will challenge the drivers as they race under the lights in Singapore for the first time since 2019.
F1 Singapore Grand Prix weekend schedule (UK times):
Friday September 30
11am - Practice 1
2pm - Practice 2
Saturday October 1
11am - Practice 3
2pm - Qualifying
Sunday October 2
Road closures around Marina Centre and Padang from Sep 30 to Oct 3 for F1 Singapore GP
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Thursday (Sep 29) announced road closures during the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 and advised members of the public to use public transport when travelling to the circuit areas.
"During the closures, access will only be granted to authorised vehicles as well as police and emergency vehicles," the police said in a media release.
"Auxiliary police officers and traffic marshals will be deployed at the affected junctions to assist and direct motorists."
Marina Bay Street Circuit
- When was the track built? The Marina Bay Circuit arrived on the scene in 2008. A street track with the city's famous skyline as its spectacular backdrop, the initial circuit plan by Herman Tilke was refined by KBR Inc, while the event has quickly established itself as one of the standouts on the F1 calendar.
- When was its first Grand Prix? In 2008, Singapore had the honour of hosting the first night-time race in F1 history. The Grand Prix – the 15th round of that season – proved a huge hit with the teams and drivers, while Renault’s Fernando Alonso claimed a controversial victory.
- What’s the circuit like? The 5.063km Marina Bay Circuit is one of the most physically demanding on the calendar, its bumpy street surface coupled with humid conditions giving the drivers plenty to think about. With 23 corners, they are working the wheel a lot, too, around the high-speed lap – the physical stress causing them to lose as much as 3kg over the course of a race. The circuit also boasts some of the most unique features of any track on the F1 calendar, including Turn 18, which actually sees the drivers pass underneath a grandstand.
- Why go? If you want to see Singapore at its best, there’s no better time to do so than when Formula 1 arrives in the heart of this buzzing city. Get the lay of the land by taking a ride on the Singapore Flyer, a giant Ferris wheel overlooking the track’s permanent pits complex, then get stuck into Singapore’s incredible bar and restaurant scene. Cocktail fanatics should also make a pilgrimage to the famous Raffles Hotel – the proper home of the Singapore Sling (non-alcoholic versions are available!)
- Where is the best place to watch? Get yourself comfy in the grandstand located at Turn 1, which offers spectacular views as the cars accelerate into the first corner, before braking hard and whipping through Turns 2 and 3. You’ll get a great view of the start too – expect to see plenty of sparks fly as the drivers blast off the line.
F1 Renews Singapore Grand Prix In 7-Year Deal
Singapore’s estimated annual cost for hosting Formula 1 is $100 million, according to Channel News Asia. Host organizers Singapore GP Pte. Ltd. and the Singapore Tourism Board reportedly paid $35 million per Grand Prix in the previous contract, which ran from 2017 to 2021.
The race has reportedly generated more than $1.1 billion in tourism receipts, according to event organizers. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 2.
As part of the deal, the hosts have agreed to a number of changes:
- The events will switch to renewable energy sources and focus on recycling.
- Singapore will conduct a sustainability audit to ensure it’s following Formula 1’s sustainability goals — Formula 1 aims to be net zero carbon by 2030.
- The hosts said they will also focus on community relations, diversity, and health and safety.
Motor racing-F1 extends Singapore Grand Prix contract until 2028
"Singapore holds a special place on the F1 calendar, and this extension is part of our long-term commitment to continue to grow the sport in Asia," Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. "The Marina Bay Street Circuit hosted the first night race in F1 history in 2008, and Singapore has continued to thrill fans, teams, and drivers ever since." Singapore has established itself as one of Formula One's most glamorous and popular events since it made its debut in 2008. The race is staged in the heart of the city-state, with cars driving around a floodlit street track against a backdrop of glittering skyscrapers, while spectators are entertained by headline music acts.
Partly funded by the government, it has played a key role in boosting tourism to Singapore. The race has generated more than S$1.5 billion in incremental tourism receipts and drawn more than 550,000 unique international visitors to Singapore since its debut, according to organisers. The 2019 race, won by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari, drew a crowd of about 268,000 over the whole weekend, the event's second highest, organisers said as they looked forward to welcoming fans back this year. “The Singapore Formula One race continues to be a strong focal point for tourists, global events and business meetings,” said Singapore’s Minister for Transport S Iswaran.
F1 extends Singapore GP until 2028
Race has been on the series' calendar since 2008 & absent from 2020 and 2021 calendars due to pandemic
Formula One has announced a contract extension with the Singapore Grand Prix for seven years. The new agreement will run from 2022 until 2028.
The Singapore Grand Prix first joined the Formula One calendar in 2008, however it was absent from the schedule in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to RacingNews365, the previous contract saw the series receive US$35 million per Grand Prix from the host organisers, Singapore GP Pte Ltd (SGP) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Channel News Asia pegged the overall cost of Singapore hosting its Formula One race at US$100 million a year.
The latest hosting contract has seen the organisers commit to improving the sustainability of the event. This includes switching to renewable energy sources, using recyclable materials and increasing recycling efforts. In addition, a sustainable audit will be conducted, ensuring that the Singapore Grand Prix is fully in line with Formula One’s own sustainability goals. SGP and STB have also pledged to connect with the local community, seek to promote diversity amongst event volunteers, as well as place greater emphasis on the health and safety of all attendees.
Aerial view of the Marina Bay street circuit, where the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix will be held from 2022 to 2028. (PHOTO: Singapore GP Pte Ltd)
The Formula One Singapore Grand Prix will continue to be held in the city-state for another seven years.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore GP (SGP) and F1 announced in a joint media release on Thursday (27 January) that Singapore will continue to host the motor-racing extravaganza as part of the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2022 to 2028.
This is the fourth contract renewal for Singapore, and the seven-year extension is the longest for the race to date. The stakeholders said in the media release that this will give Singapore a longer runway to capture pent-up demand as international travel recovers. It also allows STB, SGP and industry partners to develop new experiences to meet the evolving interests of locals and visitors.
