Disappointing in Azerbaijan last weekend, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, the top two in the world championship, intend to bounce back in Singapore.
A wasted opportunity. But for whom? While one, Max Verstappen, had the chance to take a little more of an advantage, and the other, Lando Norris, to make up some of his deficit, the two drivers fighting for the world championship title missed each other last weekend in Baku. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix confirmed that Verstappen had fallen dangerously into line over the past three months. Sixth in qualifying, fifth in the race, the Dutchman has never been able to secure an eighth victory this season. The drought is lengthening – he has not won since June 23 – and it is difficult to see how Red Bull could allow the three-time reigning world champion to become untouchable again in the last seven Grands Prix.
This sudden loss of speed from the Dutchman has whetted the appetite of Norris, winner in Miami and the Netherlands this year. The young Briton has finished the last three races ahead of his rival but missed the boat last weekend. The fault of a completely botched qualifying session which saw him start from 16th place on the grid (he had set the 17th fastest time before benefiting from Pierre Gasly’s disqualification). His comeback to fourth place was fine – he was 6th before the collision between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz two laps from the end -, but he could have done much better if he had not missed out on Saturday. Result: he only took back 3 points from a struggling Verstappen (with the bonus point for the best lap in the race).
The gap between the two men has gone from 62 to 59 points, which is a lot and a little at the same time. A Norris win in Singapore on Sunday coupled with a Verstappen retirement could bring the McLaren driver within thirty points. But the opposite would almost put an end to all suspense and open the way to a fourth world crown for Verstappen. Before a four-week break, the Singapore Grand Prix, held in the city and at night, could well mark a turning point in the season before the final sprint which will start at the end of October in the United States. And the possibility of seeing the Ferraris and the Mercedes, not to mention Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez, come and join the fight for victory makes the situation even more uncertain. Roll on Sunday!
What time can I watch the Singapore Grand Prix?
After Azerbaijan last weekend, the paddock remains in Asia this week with the eighteenth Grand Prix of the season scheduled in Singapore. Despite the six-hour time difference with Paris, French viewers will not be too disoriented since the various practice sessions and the race will be held in the late afternoon and evening in Singapore. Thus, the single-seaters will make their first laps on Friday from 11:30 a.m. (5:30 p.m. local time) and on Sunday the Grand Prix will start at 2 p.m. (8 p.m. local time).
- Free practice 1 at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, September 20 (duration: 1 hour)
- Free Practice 2 at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 20 (duration: 1 hour)
- Free Practice 3 at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 21 (duration: 1 hour)
- Qualifications at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 (duration: 1 hour)
- Grand Prix at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 (duration: 2 hours maximum)
On which TV channel can you watch the Grand Prix?
The Singapore Grand Prix will be broadcast exclusively on the channels of the Canal group, holder of the rights to the Formula 1 world championship. The three free practice sessions as well as qualifying will be broadcast on Canal+ Sport while the premium channel will broadcast the race, Sunday from 2 p.m.
- Friday: Libres 1 at 11:15 a.m. 5+ Libres 2 at 2:45 p.m. on Canal+ Sport
- Saturday: Libres 3 at 11:15 a.m. on Canal+ Sport + Qualifis at 2:40 p.m. on Canal+ 360
- Sunday: “La Grille” at 12:55 p.m. on Canal+ 360 + Grand Prix at 2 p.m. on Canal+
Drivers’ World Championship standings (after 17 Grand Prix)
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 313 points
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) 254 points
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 235 points
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 222 points
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 166 points
7. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 143 points
7. George Russell (Mercedes) 143 points
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 58 points
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 24 points
11. Niko Hülkenberg (Haas) 22 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 22 points
13. Alex Albon (Williams) 12 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls) 12 points
15. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 8 points
16. Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) 7 points
17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto (Williams) 4 points
What are the dates of the F1 Grand Prix in 2024?
The 2024 Formula 1 season will feature 24 Grands Prix. It began at the end of February in Bahrain and will end in early December in Abu Dhabi. Here is the full F1 2024 calendar with times given in French time:
1. Bahrain (Sakhir): Saturday March 2 (Winner: Verstappen)
2. Saudi Arabia (Jeddah): Saturday March 9 (Winner: Verstappen)
3. Australia (Melbourne): Sunday March 24 (Winner: Sainz)
4. Japan (Suzuka): Sunday April 7 (Winner: Verstappen)
5. China (Shanghai): Sunday April 21 (Winner: Verstappen)
6. Miami (Miami): Sunday May 5 at 10pm (Winner: Norris)
7. Emilia-Romagna (Imola) : Sunday May 19 (Winner: Verstappen)
8. Monaco: Sunday May 26 (Winner: Leclerc)
9. Canada (Montreal): Sunday June 9 (Winner: Verstappen)
10. Spain (Barcelona): Sunday June 23 (Winner: Verstappen)
11. Austria (Spielberg): Sunday June 30 (Winner: Russell)
12. Great Britain (Silverstone): Sunday July 7 (Winner: Hamilton)
13. Hungary (Budapest): Sunday July 21 (Winner: Piastri)
14. Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) : Sunday July 28 (Winner: Hamilton)
15. Netherlands (Zandvoort): Sunday August 25 (Winner: Norris)
16. Italy (Monza): Sunday September 1st (Winner: Leclerc)
17. Azerbaijan (Baku): Sunday September 15 (Winner: Piastri)
18. Singapore (Marina Bay): Sunday September 22 at 2 p.m.
19. United States (Austin): Sunday October 20 at 9 p.m.
20. Mexico (Mexico City): Sunday October 27 at 8 p.m.
21. Brazil (Interlagos): Sunday November 3 at 7 p.m.
22. Las Vegas (Las Vegas): Sunday, November 24 at 6 a.m.
23. Qatar (Losail): Sunday October 1st at 3 p.m.
24. Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina): Sunday December 8 at 2 p.m.