The Marina Bay circuit, home to the Singapore Grand Prix, is one of the most physically demanding tracks for Formula 1 drivers. This weekend, teams will return to the track with the goal of challenging McLaren, which is currently leading the championship race solo, while Max Verstappen will attempt to close the gap to Oscar Piastri. However, the Dutch driver has never managed to secure a victory at this venue. Ferrari, on the other hand, holds the record for the most pole positions in Singapore, with a total of seven. Can they bounce back from a disappointing weekend in Baku? Meanwhile, Pirelli has revealed the tire compounds that will be used this weekend.
The tire compounds
The Marina Bay circuit presents significant challenges due to its location. High temperatures and, above all, high humidity put a major strain on drivers’ endurance and physical fitness. Although the Singapore Grand Prix is held at night, this does not make the race easier. Next year, despite these challenges, Singapore will host one of the six Sprint races scheduled for the 2026 season.
This weekend, teams will be able to use the C3, C4, and C5 compounds. The C6 has been excluded, as it is considered too soft for this race. According to Pirelli, the preferred compounds for the Grand Prix are the C3 and C4, corresponding to the Hard and Medium tires. In 2024, teams also opted for this same strategy. The Soft tire, or C5, could be a risky choice, but if the goal is to gain more grip at the start, then teams may consider it.
At Singapore, starting position has always been a decisive factor for the final race result due to the limited number of overtaking opportunities on the track.
During the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, the Pirelli podium caps will also make a return. For this race, the chosen version will be magenta with refined gold detailing.
