Is a podium possible for Alonso in Singapore?

“There are always accidents and things happening here in Singapore, so we are not that far from the podium, why not dream?” said Fernando Alonso after qualifying in mixed and very dangerous conditions. The Spaniard starts fifth today (2:00 pm) in Singapore. Is the podium really possible for Oviedo? It’s no surprise that Fernando looked in a drawer that he wanted to say goodbye to Alpine on this course before going to Aston Martin. And this is what you remember, on this urban track, the most difficult of the championship because of the extreme conditions that the riders have to endure (lots of heat and humidity on a track that doesn’t give you rest) and on a track that doesn’t give of room for error due to how close the walls are, the ‘Safety Car’ can change the race from one moment to the next.

We don’t say it, the statistics indicate it. It has been competing in Singapore since 2008 and since then 12 races have been held (13 including this Sunday). Of those 12 appointments, a total of 20 ‘Safety Cars’ appeared, the majority in an outlet where there are always handles. However, for Fernando Alonso, starting 5th, or Carlos Sainz (4th) to gain places thanks to the safety cars, incidents must happen in front of you. Otherwise, luck will decide whether ‘Salvation’ will benefit them.

In 2019, 3 Safety that nothing has changed

The clearest example is what happened in the last GP held at this track, in 2019. In that race there are up to 3 ‘Safety Cars’, but none of them affected the head. In that race, Leclerc, who started from pole, was robbed of victory by a better approach from Ferrari with Vettel, who started 3rd. They kept Charles for an extra lap without stopping, slowing down Hamilton, and they threw an ‘undercut’ with Vettel that would ultimately be decisive. ‘Seb’ didn’t win one place: He won two, Lewis’s and his partner’s, causing Charles to show his anger on the radio.

Meanwhile, the three safety cars that came out of the lead did not move when they arrived after the pit stops of all the leading drivers.

The rain

To all this we must add the high probability that there will be rain in the race. An intermittent rain can change everything from one moment to another. In Singapore, there is nothing to cross.

If not

Apart from all these factors, it should be noted that Singapore is the second track where it is most difficult to overtake after Monaco. Fernando Alonso’s fifth starting position allows him to have many points within reach and strategies will be key in changing positions. In that sense, as it is said that anything can happen in Singapore, another race will be seen on this track. Carlos Sainz warned: “I think it’s a circuit where everything or nothing can happen. This is or lots of ‘Safety Cars’ or a boring race because you don’t get overtaken much. So let’s see what we see tomorrow.”