The sixteenth running of the Singapore Grand Prix delivered all the drama fans have come to expect under the lights of Marina Bay. While stormy skies threatened in the build-up, the race itself remained dry, giving drivers a clear run at one of the most demanding street circuits in Formula 1.
Almost 5km long and winding through the harbourside with a 115-year-old bridge as part of the track, Singapore is an unforgiving venue and the perfect place for another determined drive from Ollie Bearman.
Practice
Ollie eased into the weekend, finishing the first practice session in P16, before using the following sessions to help get to grips with the track’s challenges. With red and yellow flags flying as rivals hit walls or bailed out into run-offs, Ollie kept it clean and put in steady mileage to set himself up for qualifying.
Qualifying
Come Saturday night, Ollie turned up the pace. Firing in a strong opening lap in Q1, he was one of the first to stamp his authority on the session. His pace carried through into Q2, where he planted his car firmly in the top ten and stayed there, reaching Q3 for a crack at the top ten on the starting grid, where he later secured P9.
The Race
In a prime position for chasing the points under the lights, Ollie started Sunday’s race on medium compound tyres. Despite initially losing one spot on Lap 1 after a brush with Hadjar into Turn 1, Ollie quickly settled into the midfield rhythm. As pit strategies unfolded, Ollie’s Haas stayed long on its opening stint, allowing him to climb into the top ten before pitting for hard compound tyres on Lap 24.
Rejoining in P16, the fight was on. Ollie methodically picked his way through the field, passing Albon and Alonso, before reeling in Sainz with impressive pace. By Lap 30, the gap to the Williams car was under two seconds as Ollie’s charge to get back into the points continued.
Sitting behind three cars yet to pit, Ollie stayed calm, maintained pressure, and cut into the top ten by Lap 40, now less than a second behind Sainz. After 62 laps, Ollie crossed the line in P9, scoring two well-earned championship points.
Looking Ahead
With more points in the bag, Ollie now heads stateside with confidence building. Next stop - Austin, Texas, where the Circuit of the Americas will play host to one of the Haas’ home races.
