F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2022 live: Highlights and analysis as Verstappen hunts for world championship victory at the Marina Bay Circuit

By | October 2, 2022
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Much of the talk before qualifying for the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix had focused on Max Verstappen’s potential world title coronation, though that was put on hold as championship rival Charles Leclerc claimed his ninth pole position of the season on Saturday.

The Monegasque driver stole the show again in qualifying as his Ferrari came alive when it mattered most in the damp conditions around the tight Marina Bay Circuit.

Verstappen eventually finished eighth after being told to abort his final lap in qualifying despite him looking likely to snatch top spot at the death.

That decision was due to his car’s lack of fuel. If the FIA can’t take a fuel sample at the end of the session, the driver is penalised with a grid place penalty.

There won’t be any panic in the Red Bull garage though, as the Dutchman has already won from way down the grid in recent weeks, so his potential second successive world title could still be realised this weekend. 

Leclerc edged out Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton by just over half a second as Singapore delivered the most exciting qualifying session of the season so far.

As well as Verstappen’s poor performance, there were also a few other surprises as the ever-consistent George Russell could only manage P11 on the grid, whilst Alpine’s Esteban Ocon didn’t even make it out of Q1. 

Russell will subsequently start from the pit lane after he and his Mercedes team decided to take the opportunity to switch his power unit overnight. 

What must Max Verstappen do to be crowned F1 world champion this weekend?

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can claim a second successive world championship title at the Singapore Grand Prix despite there still being five races left of the 2022 season after this weekend’s race at the Marina Bay Circuit. 

In order to claim the trophy in Singapore, Verstappen must outscore Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 22 points, teammate Sergio Perez by 13 and Mercedes’s George Russell by six. 

But the Dutchman continues to underplay his chances of securing his second world title this weekend. Speaking to the official F1 website, Verstappen claimed that his chance of securing the result he needed was “a bit unrealistic”. He added: “I don’t really think about it. It’s quite a long shot. I just want to enjoy the weekend and, of course, try to win it.”

F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2022 live updates, highlights from Marina Bay circuit

35 minutes to lights out: The FIA have delayed the start point for mechanics and teams to head to the start grid as the rain continues to fall, although it seems to now be easing slightly. 

That doesn’t mean that the start of the race is delayed – although that remains likely – it in essence means that the FIA want to give themselves a little more time to see how the conditions unfold before making a decision.

Remember the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season? That proved to be absolute chaos due to heavy rain and poor decision making from those in charge, it seems the FIA don’t want a repeat of that situation here.  

45 minutes until lights out: Well the heavens have well and truly opened here in Singapore which means that there’s likely to be a delay to the start of this race.

These conditions also make it very interesting in terms of strategy. If the rain stops now and the track begins to dry out before the race begins, is it a risky move onto the slicks or a safe choice of intermediates? I guess we’ll see in less than an hours time.. 

1 hour until lights out: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix.

With the threat of heavy thunderstorms looming, which driver will come out on top in what should be another enthralling race around the Marina Bay Circuit? 

Singapore Grand Prix 2022 provisional starting grid

Position Driver
1 Charles Leclerc
2 Sergio Perez
3 Lewis Hamilton
4 Carlos Sainz
5 Fernando Alonso
6 Lando Norris
7 Pierre Gasly
8 Max Verstappen
9 Kevin Magnussen
10 Yuki Tsunoda
11 George Russel
12 Lance Stroll
13 Mick Schumacher
14 Sebastian Vettel
15 Zhou Guanyu
16 Valterri Bottas
17 Daniel Ricciardo
18 Esteban Ocon
19 Alex Albon
20 Nicholas Latifi

How to watch F1 in the United States

  • Race: Singapore Grand Prix
  • Date: Sunday, Oct 2.
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: fuboTV

The ESPN family of networks will broadcast all 2022 F1 races in the United States using Sky Sports’ feed, with select races airing on ABC. You can also stream Formula 1 races live in the U.S. with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-language home for all 2022 F1 races in the U.S.

How to watch Formula 1 in Canada

  • TV channel: TSN (English); RDS (French)
  • Live stream: TSN Direct

For fans in Canada, TSN will carry the English-language telecast of races. For those looking for the French-language broadcast, RDS will have you covered.

Races can also be streamed via TSN’s streaming service, TSN Direct.

How to watch Formula 1 in the UK

  • TV channel: Sky Sports F1
  • Live stream: NOW TV

Viewers in the United Kingdom can catch all F1 action on Sky Sports F1, the dedicated F1 channel. For viewers planning to live stream F1 in 2022, you can purchase a Sky Sports Pass on NOW TV.

How to watch Formula 1 in Australia

  • TV channel: Fox Sports; Channel 10
  • Live stream: Kayo

Fox Sports will carry all races in Australia, with Channel 10 broadcasting the Australian GP.

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