George Russell says the new layout of the Singapore Grand Prix has improved racing and, combined with the higher pitlane speed limit for 2025, could introduce a number of varied strategies this weekend.
Talking ahead of the race weekend, the Mercedes Formula 1 driver commented on the changes that took place in 2023.
“I think the biggest thing for Singapore that’s improved the race is removing the last sector corners. Now that back straight, I mean, as drivers, you never want to remove corners. But I think before it had 20-something corners, and it was too much.
“Now it’s a much nicer flow to the circuit. And I think we’re all in agreement that we hope the circuit stays like this and doesn’t return back to its previous state. But yeah, in the past, it was always a one-stop because the pitlane took so long.
“I think it’s four or five seconds shorter now, a pitstop with this 80km/h limit. So maybe it goes more towards two. But recently, a lot of races have been a clear one-stop.
“So yeah, I think the rain will be the next thing that will spice it up.”
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
The Marina Bay Street Circuit was reprofiled ahead of the 2023 race, with the organisers removing the Turn 16-19 complex, instead creating a long straight ahead of the final corners of the track. With only 19 turns now, a fourth DRS zone was added in 2024 between Turns 14 and 16.
This year brings a different pitlane speed limit, too, raising it from 60km/h to 80km/h with the intention of cutting the time lost and therefore encouraging the idea of a two-stop race strategy.
The Singapore Grand Prix remains one of the toughest race weekends of the calendar, with Sunday’s campaign taking place at night over 62 laps. With this latest change, what can sometimes be a track-position-limited race could be somewhat more interesting.
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