Track layout changes expected for 2023 Singapore Grand Prix

Jamie Woodhouse
The Marina Bay Street Circuit ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. Singapore Grand Prix, September 2022.

Scene at the Marina Bay Street Circuit as the venue prepares to host the Singapore Grand Prix. Singapore, September 2022.

The floating stadium section at the Marina Bay Circuit will seemingly be overhauled in time for the 2023 Singapore GP.

After a two-season absence from the Formula 1 calendar, the Singapore Grand Prix returned for 2022, fans flocking through the gates to create a new record attendance for the event.

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is regarded as a venue where overtaking is difficult, comparisons made to Monaco, and this rang true during the 2022 staging.

Overtaking was at a premium on a damp track for much of the race, the situation not improving when a dry line finally allowed for slick tyres and the enabling of DRS, with the track still damp and treacherous off that racing line.

Of course, nothing can be done about the weather, but it would appear that big changes are coming to the circuit design for 2023.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, with the track map revealing a new-look section between turns 16 and 19, the floating stadium area at the Marina Bay set to receive a high-speed makeover.

A collection of four low-speed corners as we saw it most recently, including the iconic Turn 18 which sees drivers pass under the grandstand upon exit, all of this is set to be replaced by a straight looking at the updated map, rejoining the existing design at what currently is Turn 20.

The Singapore track changes may not please George Russell

After the 2022 Singapore GP, Mercedes’ George Russell, director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, called for changes to the design of the circuit to increase overtaking opportunities.

“I feel like F1 has something to learn about these kinds of circuits, here and Barcelona – the only overtaking opportunities, the corners are too quick,” he said.

So, Russell was wanting some slower corners to work with, but what it seems he will actually get is an extra straight to replace the slower section, though it may well open up the old Turn 20 as a key overtaking place.

Nonetheless, Russell most likely will not react to these changes positively, once the official confirmation arrives, as what has happened is basically the exact opposite of what he wished to see change about the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Still, if Mercedes get their way and return to the battle at the front come 2023, then Russell will be hoping that not much overtaking is needed during his next visit to Singapore.

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