Red Bull’s Max Verstappen makes ‘interesting’ F1 claim on Singapore GP change

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen feels it will be ‘interesting’ to see what impact the changes to the Singapore Grand Prix track layout have on how Formula 1 teams set up the cars.

A slightly altered version of the Marina Bay Street Circuit awaits the 20 drivers and 10 teams when F1 visits Singapore this weekend. It is also the first time in 10 years that the organisers of the race have adapted the layout. But the modifications are only due to feature this year.

Not since the organisers of the Singapore GP removed the famous ‘Singapore Sling’ chicane have they changed the track’s layout. The organisers removed the fast left-right-left string of corners at Turn 10 and its notoriously brutal kerbs in favour of a tightening left-handed turn.

The changes to the track for the 2013 Singapore GP reduced the overall lap time by around one second. But this year’s alteration may cut nearly 20 seconds off the lap times, dropping them from last year’s fastest race time of a 1:46.458 set by George Russell to below a 1:30.

Formula 1 has also increased the race distance of 61 laps from the 2022 GP to 62 given the expected change in lap times. But what are the changes to the Singapore GP track layout in 2023 and what has two-time F1 world champion Verstappen said about the modifications?

What changes have been made to the Singapore GP track layout in 2024?

Well, the organisers of the Singapore GP have changed the layout of the track between Turn 16 and T19 for Formula 1’s visit in 2023. It means the drivers will not turn off at the start of Sector Three and pass by the waterfront before driving underneath the Turn 18 grandstand.

Instead, the track changes have removed the T16-19 sequence of corners to create another straight. The circuit now connects Turn 15 with what was T20 and reduces the length of the track from 5.063km (3.146m) to 4.940km (3.070m). But the track changes are just for 2023.

The construction of an entertainment and stage area forced the Singapore GP organisers to change the layout of the track for Formula 1’s visit in 2023. Work started on the project this March but is expected to be concluded before F1’s visit in 2024 to revert the track changes.

Max Verstappen expects an ‘interesting’ challenge awaits Formula 1

Verstappen expects the changes to the Singapore GP track layout will hand the F1 teams an ‘interesting’ challenge this weekend. The Red Bull ace feels the removal of the two chicanes for another straight will force the teams to adapt the set-up of their cars for the faster laps.

“I’m looking forward to the night race in Singapore,” he said, via quotes by RacingNews365. “Marina Bay is a cool circuit.

“This year, it will be interesting to see how the revised track layout will impact the general behaviour and set-up of the car. I think the lap times will be much quicker.

“Singapore is probably going to be the most challenging weekend out of the upcoming races as the stakes are heightened on a street circuit and the field is usually very close – not to mention the heat and humidity.”