Not Verstappen or Hamilton: This F1 Driver Owns the Fastest Lap Record at Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix, one of the most astonishing street circuit races on the calendar, recently extended its contract by another eight years. Meaning, the event remains a part of the Formula One racing calendar at least until the end of 2028.

Of course, being a street circuit, Marina Bay does offer lesser overtaking opportunities compared to other circuits, henceforth, providing the fans with rather straightforward races in recent years. However, the 2017 Singapore GP was an exception, thanks to the unexpected rain shower prior to the start of the race that led to a turn 1 debacle.

Nevertheless, this particular Grand Prix event owns enough statistics and other elements to leave the spectators in awe. And one such statistic features Kevin Magnussen, the former Haas driver who recently walked out of the grid after a horror final stint with the team.

Kevin Magnussen owns F1 record in Singapore

14 years into the F1 stint, Singapore Grand Prix has Magnussen owning one of their records. The Denmark-based driver holds the record for the fastest lap which he managed to set back in 2018. Driving a Haas, Magnussen was always one of the least expected drivers to clock such laps during an F1 race.

However, with a late pit stop and much fresher tires, Magnussen managed to secure a commendable lap time of 1:41:905, effortlessly beating the lap time of 1:45:008, previously held by Lewis Hamilton (set in 2017).

What’s more, he almost broke his own lap record over the very next season. Magnussen yet again clinched the fastest lap with a 1:42:301 during the 2019 Singapore GP.

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Joint-most fastest laps at the Singapore Grand Prix

Magnussen, along with Hamilton (2014, 2017), Fernando Alonso (2009, 2010), and Daniel Ricciardo (2015, 2016) possess two fastest laps in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel (2013), Kimi Raikkonen (2008), Jenson Button (2011), and Nico Hulkenberg (2012) each own one fastest lap around the streets of Singapore.

As of now, Magnussen’s record looks safe, but, how long will he be able to protect it? Well, not for long. With F1 now handing out points for the fastest laps, there is no denying that the drivers will show more urge to get their lap times right at the top. Hence, a year or two at most before one of the current drivers crushes Magnussen’s fairly long-held record.

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Twitter reacts to the bizarre Magnussen record