Ten years ago, the lights of the Marina Bay circuit were turned on to celebrate the Singapore Grand Prix. But the news of the weekend has been the break between Mclaren and Honda. The worst kept secret of the season became official. Honda will no longer supply engines to the Mclaren team. A relationship of three years absent of victories.
The situation was unsustainable. Many years without a victory for a team like Mclaren. Therefore, next season Honda will provide engines to the Toro Rosso team for the next three years. A team where the Japanese brand can grow without much pressure. Mclaren has reached an agreement with Renault. The duration of the contract is three years, just like Toro Rosso and Honda. With this new alliance the Woking team hopes to return to the top of the grid.
But those were not the only moves. Carlos Sainz leaves Toro Rosso to join the Renault team. On condition that Red Bull needs him, he will have to return. This situation could occur if Verstappen or Ricciardo leave the team. While Sainz can continue to grow as a driver on a team like Renault. That way the Toro Rosso team can complete the training of other drivers using Carlos Sainz’s place.
But it was not less important what happened this weekend on the track. The Marina Bay circuit is a circuit that favors the Ferrari team. They would have the opportunity to regain the lead in the drivers’ championship. Everything seemed to be in their favor. Vettel got the pole on Saturday, behind him Verstappen, Ricciardo and Raikkonen. Lewis Hamilton was in fifth position. A good opportunity to climb. But then night and rain came in Singapore. Everything changed during the start, the Ferrari were out. When the traffic light gave the exit the Ferrari next to the Red Bull of Verstappen they touched when trying to overtake and to run out of space. Then to beat the Spaniard Fernando Alonso and leave him out of the race that promised him a lot.
With all the chaos Hamilton was returning to achieve the victory, while gaining a little more advantage in the drivers’ championship. This may be the Grand Prix where Ferrari has lost the championship. Luckily none of their drivers finished with any sanction, since the stewards resolved the matter as racing incident. But the driver of the Mercedes team was not the only beneficiary, Carlos Sainz finished fourth with the best result of his career, while Perez that renewed this contract with Force India finished fifth.