Singapore Grand Prix weather: Threat of rain for qualifying and race day

The Singapore Grand Prix returns to take place for the first time since 2019 and may well meet some hefty downpours.

The Singapore Grand Prix first appeared on the Formula 1 calendar back in 2008, the inaugural event sadly now synonymous with the ‘crashgate’ scandal, but one which over the years has become an entertaining round of the season.

For the drivers it is arguably the toughest race physically to get through.

There had been a Singapore Grand Prix every year since 2008, though the global pandemic brought an end to that, Singapore absent from the 2020 and 2021 calendar.

It is back now though for 2022, with Max Verstappen heading to the Marina Bay Street Circuit with an opportunity to secure his second World Championship.

With a lead of 116 points over Charles Leclerc in theDrivers’ Championship, outscoring the Monegasque driver by 22 points or more would seal the deal for Verstappen, while Sergio Perez and George Russell retain even slimmer hopes than Leclerc of title glory.

So, what type of weather conditions are we looking at for the race weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit asVerstappen sets about wrapping up the title? Well, the omens are not good for the Dutchman.

To date there has only been one wet Singapore GP, that coming back in 2017 when rain fell shortly before the race began, with Verstappen eliminated in a multi-car collision at the start.

And looking at the latest forecast, there is a threat of thundery showers both during Saturday and on race day.

Friday, September 30 – FP1 and FP2

After the risk of some daytime light showers, the threat of rain then begins to drop as the evening arrives, though come the start of FP1 at 1800 local time, there remains a greater than 50% chance of rain.

Even as the sun begins to set for FP1, drivers can still expect to contend with a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and 67% humidity, with light winds.

After that first hour of practice, the second hour begins at 2100 local time, by which point temperatures will have dropped a degree at most, with winds remaining light. Humidity climbs to around 74%, as the chance of rain hovers at around 40%.

Saturday, October 1 – FP3 and qualifying

Like on Friday, Saturday’s action starts at 1800 local time with the last hour of practice, for which thundery showers are possible with the threat of rain again at around 40%. With a temperature of 30c and 70% humidity, the challenging conditions will continue for the drivers.

The qualifying action then begins from 2100, for which the threat of catching a thundery downpour remains about the same, while temperatures drop by a degree or two at best. Humidity climbs to around 77%, with any breeze remaining subtle.

Sunday, October 2 – race

It is a local start time of 2000 as the spectacle that is the Singapore Grand Prix race day under the lights returns to Formula 1.

In terms of the weather, it is a similar story. There remains a chance of rain, that prospect dipping below 40% come lights out but building slightly again into the 40s as the race progresses.

The winds will remain light, with 76% humidity at the race start, climbing to 78% as the race is scheduled to reach its conclusion.

Read more: Singapore Grand Prix iconic moments: Crashgate, Hamilton’s epic lap and more