Sainz reveals startling private FIA confession after Singapore qualifying chaos
Carlos Sainz has revealed that FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis personally apologised to him following the controversy surrounding Sprint Qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix. According to the Williams driver, the Greek acknowledged that human error affected the session and admitted that the decision to proceed with SQ2 despite the sporting unfairness was wrong.
Singapore’s Formula One circuit, the Marina Bay Street Circuit, requires redesigning and lacks entertainment value for sprint races, according to the winners and runner-up of the inaugural sprint race on Saturday. Rain delayed the start of the 20-lap race, resulting in little overtaking and nearly impossible chances to pass. The only drama came in the form of collisions and a record nine retirements.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s polesitter, stated that the circuit is not ideal for sprint races as overtaking barely happens on the straights. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ runner-up, agreed, suggesting that the track should have a longer straight to allow for proper overtaking. Six of the 20 laps ran behind a safety car, and 11 of the 16 race wins have come from pole position.
Verstappen and Hamilton both expressed that a dry race would have been more exciting, as the rain made it more thrilling. This was the sixth and final sprint race of the season, and it will not be part of next year’s 10-event sprint calendar. Monaco, a city circuit where Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said it wasn’t ideal for sprint races, is on the schedule.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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