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Air quality in Singapore deteriorated sharply ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday, October 9. The city-state was shrouded in thick haze, and air quality fell to “very unhealthy” levels.
Air-monitoring platform IQAir recorded an index reading of 205 at 8:00 a.m. local time. Conditions had been rated “unhealthy” on Thursday.
Haze has lingered over Singapore for several weeks. It has coincided with a packed schedule of business, cryptocurrency, sports and regional conference events.
The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, warned on Thursday that the haze could lead to restrictions on entertainment and other outdoor events during the Grand Prix weekend. The race itself, however, is expected to go ahead without disruption. The FIA did not specify the air-quality readings that could trigger any measures.
Verstappen to start sprint from pole position
Max Verstappen set a time of 1 minute 31.156 seconds in qualifying to take first place for Saturday’s sprint race on the Marina Bay street circuit.
The Red Bull driver finished 0.120 seconds ahead of George Russell of Mercedes. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was third, around a tenth of a second behind Russell.
Verstappen kept pole position despite an investigation into a possible yellow-flag infringement during the first part of qualifying. McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took fourth and fifth, respectively, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was sixth.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli secured seventh place for Mercedes. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson was next, followed by Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who completed the top 10.
Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez will start Saturday’s 21-lap sprint from the back of the grid. Perez crashed into the barriers early in the session, prompting a red flag.
The sprint race is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 10.
Hot weather and rain expected over the weekend
Drivers are expected to face high temperatures and humidity over the weekend. Daytime temperatures are forecast to reach 32–33 degrees Celsius, with overnight temperatures around 26 degrees.
There is a 40% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Track temperatures could reach 55 degrees Celsius or higher, adding stress to the tires and increasing the physical demands on drivers.
The Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, October 11. Rain or thunderstorms in the second half of the day could affect the race.
Although concerns about air quality persist, the FIA says the race itself is expected to be unaffected. Uncertainty remains over other outdoor events taking place during the weekend.
