FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2026

The elephant in the room is the software failure that led to about half of the cars going into "limp mode" on the formation lap. It's a well-known exploit of the programming that forces cars to slow dramatically in certain throttle situations. Mercedes and Red Bull infamously exploited it earlier in the year to gain a few extra hundredths in qualifying before it was modified to prevent that. Apparently, the way the drivers were using throttle on the very wet formation lap triggered the condition for many of the cars and the FIA had to abort the start, create a work-around then upload it to all the teams so they would be able to run in the wet. By which time, the track had dried enough that it didn't matter and the whole thing was a monumental waste of time and energy.

I haven't been as critical of this year's rules package as many others. However, they are definitely worse than anything in my memory and are having a detrimental effect throughout the year. The FIA's haphazard approach to mitigation and obvious favouritism towards Mercedes this year isn't making any of this more palatable. Earlier in the Year, they introduced a 5-second pre-start period to help Mercedes spool up their turbos and reduce lag, then added extra MGU-K electrical assistance for them to "mitigate safety risks" on the grid. The FIA "safety" argument inevitably means they just want to nerf a team or hand someone an advantage.

Max dominated the weekend. His Red Bull was consistent throughout and, given a consistent car, the Dutchman can exploit the hell out of whatever is there. The Mercedes boys took advantage of the FIA's favouritism to make spectacular starts, (Kimi jumping from 4th to 1st and George surging from 8th to 2nd, but Max kept his cool and worked his way back to the front. Once past Kimi, he never looked back and never seemed to be in any kind of trouble to the point of pitting out of the lead during a late-race VSC just so he could rub salt in the Merc's wounds. (I'm guessing. We'll never know, because Mercedes also pitted their guys.)

Notable highs-
-Aston Martin didn't suck very much at all. Both cars made it comfortably through into Q2 and Alonso brought home 4 more points for the team despite starting on a slick tire and being more than a minute behind early on.
-Hamilton also started on the slicks. fell back to 17th (I think) then worked his way all the way up to the podium. (aided by Russell's engine failure but still pretty amazing.)
-Linblad also worked his way from the back into the points. A very solid drive .

Notable lows-
-Half the grid in limp mode.
-Norris spent the entire last week complaining about how Colapinto had misjudged entry into the first turn in Baku. Granted, the Brit didn't take anyone else out with him, but he was just lucky to be on the outside of the turn with a lot of run-off area. If he'd been on the right-hand side of the track, he'd have taken out more than three cars.
-HAAS. Were they even there? Did anyone mention them in a sentence that didn't include how Ocon was out for next year?

It was nice to see the cars back at Sepang. I'm hoping whatever political shenanigans that lost the venue can be straightened out and bring it back full time. It was also nice to see the old guard putting their knowledge and experience to good use. Max, Luis and Fernando have all had success around this track in the past and that experience was on full display.

Another quick turnaround for the teams and for us. This week's race is the Singapore Grand Prix in... Singapore. (had to check, you never know where these things are going to be now. I'm looking forward to the "British Grand Prix in Hong Kong" coming soon.) The race starts at 8 am. We'll be at Doherty's in Apex.

Doherty's has agreed to open an hour early for us. Beverage service will be available throughout, but the kitchen doesn't open until 9. Hope to see you there!