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Welcome back to Prime Tire, where we’re also wondering, as Lewis Hamilton did during the race, why he does this. Why do any of us do anything? Even by doing nothing, aren’t you still doing something? Is there such thing as inertia if time ceaselessly moves forward? Ask your neighbor.
Three weeks until Formula One visits Austin, Texas. But right now, we have a Singapore Grand Prix weekend to discuss. I’m Patrick, and Madeline Coleman will be along shortly. Let’s get to it.
Swearing & Swansongs
Max Verstappen’s defiant weekend
Whether conscious of it or not, the Red Bull driver and reigning champion seemed to accomplish two separate aims at the Singapore GP this weekend. Even though Lando Norris won the race convincingly, I’d say Verstappen nailed it. Let’s examine.
On-track goal: Halt Lando Norris’s momentum.
GOAL MET ✅ — This looked impossible on Friday, as Red Bull struggled to get the car in a comfortable place for its drivers.
Luckily for the points leader, the team nailed the setup on Saturday, as Verstappen qualified next to Norris on the front row. He then endured a long, lonely, mistake-free race to finish second and limit Norris’ net points gain. Norris trails Verstappen by 52 points. Verstappen can finish second to Norris in every remaining race, regardless of fastest lap bonus points, and still win the drivers’ championship.
Off-track goal: Make a point to the FIA. (F1’s governing body, which punished Verstappen for swearing in a news conference.)
GOAL MET ✅ — After qualifying, Verstappen protested the FIA’s sanction: He gave short answers in its news conference and told journalists he would prefer to talk to them elsewhere.
That led to a bizarre scene where reporters, including The Athletic’s Luke Smith, followed Verstappen en masse out into the paddock for an informal news scrum where Verstappen got much more candid about his feelings about the FIA’s punishment. Luke called it one of the strangest moments of his career.
Verstappen made his point clear on both fronts: He won’t give up his F1 world title or his authenticity without a fight. Luke wrote today why the FIA swearing saga could hasten Verstappen’s eventual F1 retirement.
That might be it for the Honey Badger
Daniel Ricciardo expected his 2025 future to be decided after Singapore by RB and Red Bull (both are owned by Red Bull GmbH, and Red Bull Racing often influences driver decisions at both teams). The veteran’s contract expires this season, and speculation is youngster Liam Lawson could take Ricciardo’s seat after this race weekend.
Ricciardo finished P18 but played hero for his old teammate, Verstappen. By logging the fastest lap of the race, he denied that bonus point to Norris. (In F1, the driver who sets the fastest lap and finished in the top ten in a race is awarded an extra point.) If Verstappen wins the title by a point, Ricciardo joked he’d guaranteed himself “a nice Christmas present.” (“He can have anything he wants,” said Verstappen.)
Ricciardo’s post-race demeanor indicated an imminent end to his F1 career. He savored his last moments in the cockpit and fought tears during interviews. Ricciardo was the last driver to leave the paddock, busy saying goodbye to everyone.
Nothing is official, yet. But I agree with Luke, who wrote yesterday that “a swift decision would be best for everybody.” Ricciardo deserves at least that much. We’ll have much more soon as this unfolds.
For more takeaways from the Singapore GP, be sure to read Madeline’s post-race rundown. And if you’re watching the race today, pull up our live blog to re-live our live commentary!
Inside the Paddock with Madeline Coleman: Why the race left drivers exhausted
One storyline flew under the radar is that this was the first edition of the Singapore GP that did not have a safety car or a yellow flag. This matters because Singapore is known as one of the toughest races on F1’s calendar, along with Qatar. Ahead of the race weekend, George Russell called both grands prix “by far the most physical races.” Marina Bay Street Circuit requires a driver’s full attention as they zip through the streets. There’s also the hot and humid weather, which some drivers train differently for this race weekend.
With a nonstop 62-lap grand prix, several drivers felt the effects of the brutal race. Russell and Lewis Hamilton suffered from “borderline heatstroke,” according to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. He confirmed that they both were OK. Norris poured water on himself before interviews. Colapinto leaned over his car briefly after getting out.
Singapore, though, wasn’t “the same level as what we had in Qatar last year,” Oscar Piastri said. The Qatar GP was held in early October last season and the drivers were pushed to their physical limits. The FIA is taking technical steps to avoid a repeat. It’s worth noting that the race has been moved later in the year, now slotted for after the Las Vegas GP in November.
But the question remains: Will Qatar be just as brutal? “I’ll be interested to know if delaying the race later into the year, if the temperatures are going to be that different,” Alex Albon said Thursday, adding, “If it’s similar to last year, then it’s going to make that race even harder.”
Human vs. Lizard: Vote for the move of the race
Two unlikely sources for move of the race. The first is Franco Colapinto. He’s unlikely because nobody expected him to be this good after he replaced Logan Sargeant. But here he was on Lap 1, dive-bombing five cars with a move I admire so much. (Blue car, top far right.)
Este ángulo de la largada de Franco Colapinto en Singapur es cine. pic.twitter.com/f42tLzq4kw
— 𝙅𝘿 (@JuannDis) September 22, 2024
I mean. *chef’s kiss* You love to see a rookie just going for it.
But does Colapinto’s daring move match the raw speed of the monitor lizard that brought out a red flag in FP3 on Saturday? Judge for yourself.
It wouldn’t be Singapore without a lizard on track! 😁🦎#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/IsdVR2U0ok
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 21, 2024
(I can’t stop watching how it waddle-runs. It’s mesmerizing.) The lizard was safely removed, by the way. Only after he let them catch him, mind you.
Anyway, I want to know who had the better racing moves: Franco Colapinto or the monitor lizard? Vote here! We’ll gather back here on Friday to discuss the results.
Outside the Points
Madeline Coleman wrote a terrific breakdown of the F1 Academy car. It’s not just a nuts and bolts piece — it’s a good story about how a car’s design can reflect the larger goals of a junior racing series.
And, finally, it looks like Logan Sargeant will do an IndyCar test with Meyer Shank Racing in November.
(Top photo: Peter Casey / Imagn Images)
