The Singapore Grand Prix has become a classic on the Formula 1 calendar. Hosted for the first time in 2008 on the Marina Bay circuit, it was the first night race in the history of the sport, becoming a permanent fixture ever since. Only in 2020 and 2021 did the circus not visit the streets of Singapore due to the pandemic, returning this year with a memorable edition. However, starting in 2023, the track will undergo significant changes to promote overtaking and on-track excitement.
Although very captivating and physically demanding, the circuit has always had considerable difficulty allowing drivers to overtake. This is due to just one overtaking spot at the end of the first sector down the straight. Like all street circuits, overtaking is always challenging, and Marina Bay is no exception. The Singapore GP is also one of the most demanding races of the year for drivers, with a race distance of 61 laps that takes about two hours and often more to complete.
The areas that will undergo changes are those from turn 16 to 19, which will disappear entirely to open up the track and essentially form a new straight. This part of the track became famous for cars passing under the bridge, which then led back to the main straight. All of this will now give way to a straight section, possibly with DRS, to facilitate more overtaking. However, the changes have not been officially confirmed by the circuit organizers yet.
Albert Park (Australian Grand Prix) and Yas Marina Circuit (Abu Dhabi Grand Prix) have also undergone significant revisions in recent years to enhance wheel-to-wheel battles. Singapore would be part of a trio of circuits that have been extensively reviewed after many years on the calendar. Changes to previous circuits have proven successful in enhancing on-track excitement. We’ll see if Singapore, which has always been considered a nighttime Monaco, will allow for more on-track action.
Source: f1ingenerale
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