Spotlight on Singapore

Formula 1 remains in Asia for the Singapore Grand Prix, a weekend that will also host the final Sprint of the season and bring to a close a long triple-header that began in Baku. For the Marina Bay circuit, home to one of the most physically demanding races of the year for the drivers, Pirelli will bring the same tyre allocation used twelve months ago: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft.

The 4.940-kilometre track features the typical characteristics of a street circuit, with barriers close to the racing line and limited overtaking opportunities. However, the changes introduced in 2023 to the third sector increased the number of high-speed sections, making the lap smoother and faster than in the past. Despite the presence of some straights, the circuit remains defined by numerous braking and traction phases thanks to its 19 corners, allowing modern power units to recover energy throughout the lap.

Marina Bay has a medium-to-high level of surface roughness for a street circuit, both in terms of macro- and micro-roughness. As no resurfacing work has been carried out, values are expected to be broadly in line with last season's, if not slightly higher. Track evolution will be significant over the course of the weekend. Intermittent rainfall, typical of the equatorial climate, will also influence grip levels and can alter conditions from one session to the next.

As is well known, the race takes place at night, with track temperatures ranging between 30 and 35 °C. Under these conditions, the tyres tend to operate within their working window without any particular overheating concerns. Mechanical stress is not especially high and the expected degradation will mainly be linked to the normal performance drop-off of the rear axle during traction phases. Graining and wear are also not expected to become limiting factors in race management.

For these reasons, from a strategic perspective Singapore remains one of the races in which a one-stop strategy is the preferred option for teams, also considering the time lost in the pit lane and the frequent likelihood of neutralisations. While Hard and Medium are once again expected to be the reference compounds for the race, this year the Soft could receive greater consideration on Sunday from more than one team.

The softest compound in the range has demonstrated at Budapest, Monza and Baku, where it was used, that it allows drivers to maintain a strong pace thanks to limited degradation, while also offering an advantage in terms of grip and confidence behind the wheel. These characteristics could prove even more valuable on a circuit such as Singapore, which is also known for its significant track evolution.

The latest-generation cars also appear to make better use of the softer compounds. Aerodynamic load, more effective temperature management and the formulation of the current compounds allow the softer end of the range to be used for longer and more competitive stints than in the past. With this in mind, it would come as no surprise to see the red-sidewalled tyre used in Saturday’s Sprint or, more generally, to witness more extensive use of the C5 throughout the weekend, encouraged by the Sprint format itself.

IN 2025

Medium and Soft were the two compounds chosen by teams for the opening part of the race, with 14 drivers starting on the C4 and the remainder on the C5. The Hard was ruled out because the track was still damp following the rain that had fallen earlier in the afternoon. The C3 then became the preferred compound for the second stint. Almost the entire grid completed a one-stop race, with only three drivers opting for a two-stop strategy.

STATISTICS

The upcoming race will be the seventeenth edition of the Singapore Grand Prix. The event has been held continuously since 2008, with the only interruption caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The drivers with the most victories on the Marina Bay street circuit are Sebastian Vettel (5) and Lewis Hamilton (4), both of whom have started from pole position four times. Among the constructors, Mercedes leads the way with five victories.

PODIUM CAP

The cap that drivers will wear on the podium of the Singapore Grand Prix will feature an orchid-inspired design. This flower is particularly celebrated in Singapore for its ability to thrive in conditions of heat, humidity and heavy rainfall, turning fragility into resilience. The special edition Pirelli Podium Cap is produced by Pirelli Design and signed by designer Denis Dekovic. The special edition is already available for purchase on Pirelli's e-commerce platform: https://store.pirelli.com.