Thunderstorms set to affect Singapore Grand Prix as Checo emerges as favourite…

By Joe Murphy

With the Singapore just days away, it is time to start thinking about whether Max Verstappen can make it an unprecedented eleven wins in a row or can someone else stop the run.

After a very impressive win in Monza, in which Max had to hunt down and overtake the Ferrari or Carlos Sainz, the world title is now an inevitability. However, there is still much to fight for in terms of podiums and points to see who finishes second. That’s where Checo comes in.

The Red Bull is unsurprisingly set to be quickest around this track. Although Max is mighty around this particular circuit, Checo could utilise his experience to be the one who takes the top stop on Sunday and brings an end to the record-breaking run of victories. After all, he did win at this track in 2022.

It isn’t only his teammate, Sergio Perez, who Max will have to keep an eye on. The Ferrari’s looked a different animal in the previous outing, and should have no problem securing a podium, should they find similar pace again this weekend. Moreover, should the weather surprise us and be slightly damp, then McLaren could even emerge as a contender. With hot thunderstorms in the forecast, this becomes a real possibility.

Who won’t be a contender though are George Russell or Lewis Hamilton. Both of these drivers, George in particular, managed to cling on to the back of the Ferrari’s and Red Bull’s. However, their simply isn’t the same dominance from this car as ones from previous years at Mercedes and as good as someone like Lewis is at this track, he is limited somewhat by his machinery. A top six finish is about as good as can be expected fror the team this weekend, anything else is a bonus.

It is worth keeping an eye on Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon and Estaban Ocon. Fernando could put himself into a decent points position whereas the Frenchman could lead the rebound after a string of poor races for Alpine. Alex, meanwhile, had been on fire for Williams and putting his car where it had no right to be. Although a finish around twelfth is more likely, don’t discount the Thai born driver in what is essentially his home race.