02/10/2022
NEWS STORY
To secure his second title - or first depending on the reports from the FIA's forensics accounts team - Max Verstappen must today out-point Charles Leclerc by 22 points and Sergio Perez by 13.
With his two rivals starting from the front row and he from the fourth, the Dutchman will have his work cut out.
One can imagine Stefano and the boys sitting around their monitors praying that Leclerc can get his act together while at the same time hoping that Verstappen encounters an issue... anything to keep the championship alive that little bit longer.
Despite their determination to spice things up, Stefano and his team still don't get the fact that it is the unexpected that usually provides the thrills, that and the anticipation of the unexpected.
Today, for example, we have the threat from the Weather Gods. Then there's Max starting from eighth and George Russell from the pitlane.
We've seen incident throughout the weekend so it can be assumed there will be more this evening - whatever the weather - while the various battles - Alpine and McLaren for example - add some genuine spice.
Sainz will no doubt be charged with riding shotgun for his teammate, a role that may well be given to Sergio also, while Magnussen, Tsunoda and Gasly are at the back of the leading pack, in addition to putting pressure from those ahead they will be under attack from the Aston Martins, the Alfa Romeos, Schumacher and Ricciardo.
Just over an hour before the start it begins to rain, and while it is expected to stop it will leave the track wet, and as we saw in qualifying yesterday it tends to remain wet for some time.
Alonso, who this weekend becomes the most experienced driver in the sport's history, says that yesterday's qualifying was one of the hardest of his career, and with today's conditions somewhat similar that probably tells you all you need to know.
Even a relative newcomer such as Norris admits that today is a day when risks will need to be taken.
At which point Race Control announces that the whole start procedure has been delayed by 30 minutes due to the conditions, which have worsened.
In terms of strategy, according to Pirelli this should have been one-stopper, involving starting on the medium tyres and running them until between laps 22 and 28, before going onto the hard until the flag. An alternative would be to run the soft for between 18 and 24 laps, before switching to hard. However, all that has gone out of the window.
At 19:30 Race Control announces that there will be a further update in 15 minutes... we've been here before haven't we.
At 19:52 the rain stops, as Race Control reports a 20% chance of further rain during the race.
At 19:55 Race Control announces that the start procedure will begin at 20:05, the pit lane will open at 20:25, close at 20:35 and the formation lap will get underway at 21:05, an hour later than originally scheduled.
The pitlane opens as scheduled, but there is no rush to action, certainly from the drivers, for while the mechanics take their place on the grid the cars remain in their garages.
Eventually the cars begin to emerge, first Stroll, then Schumacher, Verstappen, Magnussen and Zhou.
As more drivers head out, most are on full wets, though Verstappen pits for Inters. However, an early excursion down the escape road at Turn 7 suggests he might have made the switch too soon.
Ahead of the formation lap Race Control once again warns of a 20% chance of rain.
There's a late precautionary brake bleed for Verstappen but Adrian Newey says it isn't of concern but due to his sudden stop at the end of Q3.
In the excitement we forgot to mention that Russell is starting from the pitlane after taking on a new engine overnight.
Ahead of the formation lap the air temperature is 27 degrees C while the track temperature is 30 degrees. Humidity is 82%.
Everyone is starting on the Inters. All are on fresh Inters, bar the AlphaTauri pair.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly. There is still plenty of standing water.
"Number 350, let's make it a good one," Alonso is told.
The grid forms.
They're away!
Perez and Leclerc both get off the line well, while, further back, Gasly goes around the outside of Alonso.
Into Turn 1, Perez leads Leclerc, while Sainz is on the inside of Hamilton, with Norris behind, ahead of Gasly and Alonso. Verstappen has had a dreadful start and has dropped 12th.
As he battles with Sainz, Hamilton, courtesy of a little nudge from the Spaniard, goes wide and misses the first corner,
Alonso battles with Gasly, while Verstappen and Stroll appear to touch and Albon spins off at Turn 7.
What with the spray and the jostling for position it is somewhat chaotic, and throughout the field there appear to be little clashes including Verstappen and Magnussen.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Norris, Alonso, Gasly, Vettel, Tsunoda and Stroll. Verstappen has dropped to 12th while Russell is 19th.
"Magnussen has the end plate loose," reports Verstappen.
Verstappen makes short work of Stroll to claim 10th as Hamilton declares that he has "no grip".
Lap 2 sees Leclerc post fastest lap (2:02.214) as he trails Perez by 0.990s.
"I told you about these tyres," says Hamilton who is believed to have wanted to start on full wets. "In future you have to listen to me."
Verstappen passes Tsunoda for ninth, as Russell nails Zhou for 18th.
Zhou reports a lot of understeer as Russell passes Latifi for 17th.
"I'm struggling to get out of corners with the drivability," reports Ocon.
"As you can tell it's not drying very quick," says Norris as Verstappen hangs on to the rear of Vettel's Aston Martin.
As Magnussen is shown the black and orange flag for that endplate, Verstappen shows the first signs of frustration as he fails to make a mark on Vettel.
"I'm much quicker than them but I can't catch them," says Hamilton.
Meanwhile, Zhou has stopped at Turn 5, while Latifi has a puncture. Replay shows the two collided following a rash overtake from the Williams driver and then hit the wall for good measure.
Magnussen pits.
The Safety Car is deployed in order that Zhou's car can be removed, as Latifi arrives back at the pits where he climbs from his car.
As the Safety Car takes its place at the front of the field, nobody takes the opportunity to pit.
Meanwhile, another replay reveals an incident involving Bottas and Russell which sees the Mercedes head off down the escape road.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of lap 10.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore here.
Ahead of the restart, the Ferraris swarm over the back of Perez' Red Bull.
A brilliant, brave move sees Verstappen nail Vettel for eighth, with Gasly his next target. Of course, the Frenchman drives for 'sister' team AlphaTauri.
Sure enough, Verstappen makes short work of Gasly to claim 7th. Next up is Alonso.
The stewards are looking at the Zhou/Latifi incident and that involving Verstappen and Magnussen earlier.
Lap 12 sees a new fastest lap from Leclerc (59.328), the Monegasque 1.2s on Perez but already 3.9 clear of Sainz who is under pressure from Hamilton.
No further action to be taken over the Verstappen/Magnussen incident.
"Our tyres are starting to work," says Bottas as he is told that others are beginning to struggle.
Both Ferrari drivers told to look for wet patches in order to cool their Inters.
"The goal is to make there Inters last longer than anyone else's," Norris is told.
"We're going to be on these tyres for a while," Hamilton is warned, "so we may need to look for opportunities to cool them." Damp patches!
We are 16 laps in.
"Tyres becoming more slick," reports Norris.
A 58.983 from Leclerc.
"Not far from slicks now," suggests Sainz, though Verstappen disagrees. "Still wet," he says.
"Massive lag on the upshift," reports Verstappen.
"Is there any dry line, because I cannot see any," asks Alonso whose vision is compromised by the reflection of the lights on the wet surface.
"Engine, engine," says Alonso as he grinds to a halt at Turn 10 on lap 22. Elsewhere, Tsunoda has a moment and nearly hits the wall.
The VSC is deployed.
Russell is the first to make a scheduled stop, the Briton fitting a set of new mediums.
All eyes will now be on the Mercedes.
Verstappen is appraised of Russell's decision. "That's brave at the moment," says the Dutchman.
Indeed, the Briton is clearly struggling. "No grip," he reports.
The VSC is withdrawn, and surprisingly Russell stays out.
In clear air, Verstappen is quickest in the first two sectors, crossing the line at 58.377 to post a new fastest lap.
Perez responds with a 58.332, as Hamilton hangs on to the rear of Sainz' Ferrari.
Alonso watches proceedings from the side of the track.
Russell's pace is improving, but he remains 7 seconds off the pace of the leaders.
Albon is nose first in the barriers at Turn 8. HE is able to continue albeit without his front wing. Replays shows the Williams simply running out of grip and track.
The VSC is deployed as his front wing is retrieved.
Albon arrives in the pits, a set of mediums are fitted but there's a problem and he kills the engine.
Nobody else pits as it is likely to be a very brief VSC.
"I'm losing so much time behind this guy (Sainz), he's really slow," says Hamilton.
As Ocon goes off track at Turn 13, Russell insists he cannot keep his car on the road.
Clearly Ocon has an issue, he is unable to get the car going.
The VSC is deployed for a third time.
Ah, replay shows Ocon's engine blowing big time. Previously that wasn't obvious.
Under the VSC, Hamilton is just 0.584s down on Sainz, while Leclerc is 6.2s down on race leader Perez.
The VSC is withdrawn at the end of lap 29, and as Hamilton harries Sainz, so Verstappen is all over Norris. Indeed, for a brief second, before the green light, the Dutchman is alongside the McLaren. "That was very dangerous," says the McLaren driver.
Hamilton complains that Sainz brake tested him.
Lap 31 sees a new fastest lap from Leclerc (56.259).
Perez is told that Russell is still struggling. "Is it getting any better?" ask the Mexican.
Oh dear, Hamilton has gone off and into the barrier at Turn 7. He is able to continue, though he loses a position to Norris.
"Sorry about that guys," says Hamilton.
Meanwhile, Russell goes quickest in S2.
Hamilton's left front wing is damaged, and Verstappen reports it.
Gasly pits at the end of lap 33 as do Tsunoda, Bottas and Magnussen. Gasly switches to mediums, as does Tsunoda and Magnussen while Bottas opts for softs.
Leclerc pits at the end of lap 34 for mediums, as do Hamilton and Vettel. The seven-time champ opts for mediums also, as does the German.
Leclerc, who overshot his pit slot, has rejoined in third.
Perez pits at the end of lap 35, as does Sainz.
Tod "box opposite Norris", Verstappen duly pits.
Meanwhile, Tsunoda is in the barrier at Turn 10. "Switch off, switch off," he is told.
The Safety Car is deployed for the second time.
Russell pits again, as do Norris and Ricciardo, a free pit stop for the McLaren pair. Norris switches to mediums while Ricciardo opts for softs.
So, with everyone having pitted, after 36 laps, it's: Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Stroll, Vettel, Hamilton and Gasly.
Still under the Safety Car, Norris almost goes off at Turn 14.
All are now on mediums, bar Ricciardo and Bottas who are on softs.
A disastrous day for Alpine, whereas McLaren has both drivers in the points, as does Aston Martin.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of lap 39. Perez backs up the field before letting slip... there are ni surprises until Turn 7 when Verstappen makes a bold move on Norris but carries too much speed, locks up and heads down the escape road. He rejoins in 8th.
"I need to pit," he reports after flat-spotting his tyres.
Meanwhile, Perez has been noted for a Safety Car infringement.
Russell has a puncture, following an incident involving Schumacher, and slowly heads back to the pits as Verstappen rejoins the race in last position.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore here.
0.583s down on Perez, Leclerc posts a new fastest lap (53.302).
As a result of Verstappen's over enthusiasm, the McLarens are running fourth and fifth.
Leclerc is all over Perez who appears to be struggling.
Schumacher is slowly making his way back to the pits.
"I am having issues with the drivability of the engine," reports Perez. "Under braking or on traction," he is asked. "Both," he responds.
On Lap 43, DRS is enabled, though currently only Leclerc and Hamilton have it.
Despite his issue, Perez posts a new fastest lap (51.355).
Meanwhile, Vettel, still under pressure from Hamilton, closes in on his Aston Martin teammate.
Down in 12th, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (50.616).
Leclerc is pushing it to the limit as he looks for the perfect opportunity to make his move.
A lock-up into Turn 14 for Perez, but still he holds on.
Verstappen passes Magnussen for 11th.
Leclerc makes a small mistake, allowing Perez to build a 1.3s advantage, but soon the Ferrari is hunting down the Mexican again.
"Schumacher's defending like it's the race of his life," says Russell, who is unable to pass the Haas with his Mercedes.
Verstappen passes Bottas for tenth.
Meanwhile, Race Control announces that the Perez' Safety Car infringement will be investigated after the race.
Results to be announced on Wednesday along with the finding of the accounts investigation.
Verstappen passes Gasly for ninth.
Informed he is under investigation, Perez responds "for what?".
Now 3.1s clear of Leclerc, Perez is advised to built the gap in case of a penalty.
Russell stops at the end of lap 52, his fourth stop of the evening. He heads back out on softs.
"High priority, that bump into Turn 7...". "I know," he replies. "I'm trying!"
Verstappen closes to within 0.456s of Hamilton.
As Vettel holds off Hamilton and Verstappen, Russell posts a new fastest lap (46.458).
Leclerc has dropped 4.5s behind Perez.
Hamilton makes a move on Vettel but the German has it covered, he tries again and overdoes it, running wide in Turn 8 he loses position to Verstappen.
Perez' lead now up to 7.4s. "Bring it home," he is told.
A hard charge sees Verstappen pass Vettel for seventh.
Perez takes the flag after 59 laps. Leclerc finishes second, ahead of Sainz, Norris, Ricciardo, Stroll, Verstappen, Vettel, Hamilton and Gasly.
Bottas is eleventh, ahead of Magnussen, Schumacher and Russell.
An entertaining race, that had more than its fair share of moments, with Perez taking a well-deserved win, pending the stewards final say.
Some strong performances and great fightbacks, and overall a race the one feels should see everyone awarded some sort of prize just for taking part.
Having failed to claim the title this weekend, indeed having finished 7th, Max may well have to wait beyond Japan, while McLaren and Aston Martin finally have something to celebrate.
"Very tough out there," admits Sainz, "I never got into the rhythm in the wet. I had to settle a bit for P3.
"I was quick towards the end when I managed to build a bit of confidence," he adds. "It's crazy how long it takes here to dry."
"I pushed all the way," adds Leclerc, "the bad start put us on the back foot. I had a little bit of wheelspin.
"A difficult race, a good night's sleep and we'll get ready for Japan."
"Certainly my best performance," grins Perez. "I controlled the race, the last few laps were so intense.
"I gave it everything for the win today... I have no idea what's going on (with the investigation), I was just told to increase the gap.
"All in all a fantastic day."
We always get criticised when using adjectives to describe races so let's stick with entertaining, and let's hope that the result stands for Sergio definitely deserves today.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore here.