Formula 1 Singapore: Podium for two Ferrari

Charles Leclerc is the fastest on Saturday and get another pole position in Singapore, yet Sunday Ferrari closes 2nd and 3rd with Carlos Sainz completing the podium.

It is another end of a Formula 1 weekend with contained joy for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc is incredible on Saturday and battles through the last laps with Checo Perez, until the monegasque loses tires and finishes at over 7 seconds from Red Bull.

It could have been a different ending 

Last season, most Formula 1 expert would mention the heavy impact of FIA’s race control over the course of the season, leading Max Verstappen winning the title with many rumors over the ability of timely apply rules and penalties through the races.

This season we experienced new episode of negative impact of race control over the overall result and quality of a race.

Monza is an example

With Ferrari again looking to be penalized by a safety car that led Red Bull winning without a potential fight at the end.

Singapore ends up being another episode of it. Checo Perez is investigated for Safety Car penalties.

Charles Leclerc is as little as 1 second away from Perez.

Race Control is expected to give Perez a penalty. The precedent is Antonio Giovinazzi back in 2019 serving a 10 second penalty for Safety Car violation. Race Control decides to discuss penalties at the end of the race.

This is material for controversy

FIA is letting a driver with a certain penalty to serve finishing the grand prix, go to podium to celebrate, to then receive the penalty.

In the meantime, Leclerc is consuming tires to maintain a gap from Perez between a projected possible penalty, that don’t arrive during the race.

This is not racing. Race control holds negative yield to spectacle of the race and the right scenario to occur.

Leclerc summing up the season in one performance 

The Ferrari talent for the seventh time is not able to turn a pole position to victory. A common theme this season, which evidence both the potential and the limits of the F1-75.

Capable to be one of the most powerful houses in this new era of Formula 1, yet inconsistent or unable to maintain the same level of performance over the course of a race.

“You score points on Sunday” Cit. Michael Schumacher

This is where Red Bull capitalize points this season, Ferrari at the end of the race looks to give up either for reliability issues or tire degradation.

The two weaknesses of an otherwise incredible machine.

Quoting Michael Schumacher, fresh signing for Ferrari in 1997, tells everyone that being the fastest doesn’t count, “You score points on Sunday”.

In Singapore, Leclerc’s performance was another outstanding one. Sainz was able to get third place, confirming the great strategic skills of the Spanish driver, able to turn the P4 starting grid to podium.

One of the longest races  

Adverse weather conditions, yellow flags, accidents, virtual safety car, safety cars.

Singapore grand prix is one for the books with very few emotions. Riders careful not to make mistakes in a very slippery street circuit, attentive to any moves from other teams.

This weekend Formula 1 returns to Suzuka, Japan.

A low downforce circuit, designed to enhance the ability of the drivers, over the quality of the cars.

Ferrari is first candidate for another race at podium.