Mercedes last, best chance to win? Singapore talking points · RaceFans

The Singapore Grand Prix this weekend marks the first opportunity for Max Verstappen to become a two-times Formula 1 world champion. And although that is a possibility, there’s a bigger story at play with the return to the venue of F1’s first ever night race.

Added to the calendar in 2008, and a permanent fixture until the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the race from being run the last two years, the Singapore GP is one of the toughest events for drivers. Besides the hot conditions and the demanding circuit layout, the novelty of the race being run at night adds further challenges.

Here are the top talking points for this weekend’s potentially championship-deciding race:

Is this Mercedes’ last big chance to win?

Mercedes have put themselves in victory contention at some of the high-downforce tracks that F1 has recently visited. The Marina Bay street circuit is another that could suit their W13 car as the 5.06-kilometre track packs in 23 corners.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner certainly thinks that Mercedes will be rivalling his team under the spotlights based on their recent pace at other high-downforce circuits that are tight and twisty like the Hungaroring and Zandvoort.

“Mercedes, as they had in Hungary, on this type of venue, they’ve got a quick car,” Horner said. “So one would have to think probably Singapore, they’re going to be quick there as well.”

While still trying to get their head around the 2022 technical regulations with the car they had produced, Mercedes were thoroughly outpaced by Ferrari and Red Bull on the street circuits that populated the season’s first half. Since returning to conventional circuits their form has improved.

They could overtake Ferrari for second in the constructors’ championship with more consistent point-scoring and podiums. But team principal Toto Wolff has said getting a race win is of more importance this year.

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Will the field go the distance?

The high frequency of corners around Marina Bay means there is a lot of action at the wheel during just a single lap of this track.

With the cars F1 had on its last visit, the track was one of the most demanding for gear changes. The tyre-punishing layout – particularly its first two corners and the traction-heavy final sector – meant surface temperatures increase quickly and lead to drivers fighting to keep control of their cars after just a…