Singapore GP predictions: Perez pushing to end Verstappen streak
- Four of Sergio Perez’s five career wins have come at street circuits
- Max Verstappen has never won the Singapore Grand Prix
- Recommended bets:
- Sergio Perez each-way race winner
- Pierre Gasly top-10 finish
Max Verstappen made Formula 1 history with his 10th successive race win at the Italian Grand Prix but his superb run of victories could finally come to an end in Singapore.
The reigning world champion leads the drivers’ championship by 145 points after his 12th victory of the season in round 14 at Monza and it is only a matter of time before he collects his third world title.
Despite being largely untouchable all year, Verstappen has played down his chances of victory in Singapore, where he has never won before and finished seventh last season.
Despite believing it will not be a strong weekend for Red Bull and Aston Martin having circled this as their best chance of a victory this year, Verstappen’s biggest challenge is likely to come from within his own camp as Sergio Perez seeks to reclaim his ‘King of the Streets’ title.
Red Bull rivals heading for Marina Bay showdown
The Mexican has not won a race since his success at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, holding off Verstappen for his second victory of the season in Baku.
Perez had previously won on the streets of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and four of his previous race successes have come on street circuits, including victory at the Singapore Grand Prix last year.
The Red Bull driver beat the steamy Singapore heat and a charging Charles Leclerc for victory in 2022 and his recent efforts suggest he may chalk up another win before the end of the season.
Perez has been runner-up in two of the last three races, while his results in qualifying have also improved after a mid-season dip.
If anyone can end Verstappen’s streak, it seems most likely to be another driver from the all-conquering Red Bull stable.
Singapore changes may hinder Alonso’s challenge
Aston Martin had at one stage looked like being the first non-Red Bull car to win a race this season and Fernando Alonso pushing Verstappen hard at Monaco led to the belief they would be strong in Singapore.
But Aston’s progress has stalled since then, while the removal of several turns to be replaced by a single straight, boasting the average speed of the Marina Bay Circuit, further hinders their cause this weekend.
With Ferrari’s old foe tyre wear likely to hit them hard this weekend, it is expected to be Mercedes or McLaren who chase the Red Bulls home.
Lewis Hamilton’s pole position in Hungary at another slow, high downforce circuit similar to Singapore suggests they could be in the podium mix too, potentially ahead of a McLaren that has struggled to perform in warmer climates at times.
Gasly gassed up for Singapore return
Hoping to fill out the top-10 and put a miserable weekend in Italy behind them are Alpine.
The make-up of Monza really did not play to the strength of the Silverstone-based outfit, who have struggled for straight-line speed, but Singapore should be more to their liking.
Pierre Gasly has finished in the points on his last two visits to the city-state and with seven top-10 finishes to his name, the French driver may have been overlooked at 19/20 with LiveScore Bet to bounce back in Singapore.
With Williams’ lack of downforce like to limit their impact and no end in sight to Haas’ tyre-wear issues, the fight for points may not be as competitive as usual.
