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Singapore under the spotlight
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THE F1 title fight resumes this weekend under the lights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, a circuit that has been the domain of Sebastian Vettel in recent years and with this track expected to play to Ferrari’s strengths this weekend after successive Mercedes triumphs by Lewis Hamilton in Spa and Monza, this is Vettel’s best chance to fight back.
Vettel has won four of the last six Singapore Grands Prix. However, into the mix is Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, who’s been a front row starter and runner-up finisher at Singapore in recent years, and who shaded Rosberg all the way to the flag last year. A win for him – or teammate Max Verstappen – this weekend could mix it up in the championship chase with the Red Bulls suited to this circuit.
Hamilton leading the title fight by three points over Vettel with his second straight win last time out in Monza keeping the lead this weekend will depend on how he responds to some tough races over the last two years and a car not suited to this circuit.
Behind the scenes in F1 sometimes makes bigger headlines than the main show and this week is no different with Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz switching to Renault possibly even before the end on the season. This is in part a sweetener for his current team to give up their Renault engine contract to free up Renault to supply McLaren with engines for 2018 and Honda who have a big budget and small horsepower then can switch to Toro Rosso who will become a development bed for Honda. McLaren Renault then may have enough to convince Fernando Alonso to stay with the team for next season. A likely outcome with little other options for the two-time world champion.