Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton can return Mercedes to the top of the podium on Sunday with an unprecedented fifth win around the floodlit streets of Singapore.
Winners of 10 of the season’s 14 races so far, Mercedes suffered a double defeat in Belgium and Italy to Ferrari with the fast straights of Spa-Francorchamps and Monza giving the Italian team a rare edge.
The Marina Bay layout, winding through the heart of the glittering city state, has more corners (23) than any circuit, however, and should restore Mercedes’ status as the team to beat after wins at similar venues like Monaco and Hungary.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says: “For a long time, Singapore used to be one of our weakest tracks. We’ve made some inroads into that and performed well last year.
“However, there are no home runs at a track like Singapore.
BACK TO BACK: Mercedes faced back to back losses to Ferarri in Italy and Belgium. Photo: Antonio Calanni/AP.
“We take absolutely nothing for granted in our approach to the weekend.”
Hamilton, who leads teammate Valtteri Bottas by 63 points with seven races left, is tied with Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel for most Singapore wins.
The only drivers of the current crop to have triumphed in the city-state have each won four times.
Two of Hamilton’s wins have come in the last two years.
Another victory on Sunday will see the five-time champion secure his third in a row and hand Mercedes their fourth successive Singapore success.