F1: Chequered Flag Singapore Grand Prix preview
Oct 2, 2025
Join BBC F1 reporter Jennie Gow and correspondent Andrew Benson as they dive into the buzz surrounding the Singapore Grand Prix. Discover the challenges of extreme heat for drivers and the new cooling vests designed to combat it. They analyze the fierce McLaren rivalry between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and how Red Bull's Max Verstappen is making a comeback. With predictions on who might take the win, they also touch on the emotional support within the paddock following Lewis Hamilton's personal loss.
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Heat Hazard Rules And Cooling Challenges
- Singapore is officially a heat-hazard race and drivers can use cooling vests this year, becoming mandatory in 2026.
- Teams must add 500g ballast if drivers skip the vest, and keeping cooling liquid cold for two hours is a big technical challenge.
Qatar 2023 Prompted Cooling Measures
- Andrew recounts Qatar 2023 where extreme heat caused drivers medical issues and one driver withdrew.
- Those incidents prompted the cooling measures introduced for hot races like Singapore.
Circuit Demands Expose Driving Quality
- Singapore's bumpy street layout and close walls reward precision and punish mistakes severely.
- The circuit separates the best drivers by demanding millimetre-perfect judgement in slow-speed corners.