The Singapore GP is on the horizon with Max Verstappen looking to continue his winning streak. Max Verstappen has never won at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. However, the driver whose record he broke to become the driver with the most consecutive wins does know a thing or two about winning in Singapore. Yes, we’re talking about Sebastian Vettel. But winning is a different thing and being called a Lion of Singapore is different. Why is Sebastian Vettel called the Lion of Singapore?

The Singapore GP held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit is arguably one of the most challenging races on the F1 calendar. Drivers have to go through special training to keep up with the challenges of the Singapore Grand Prix. Ask any driver on the grid and they will explain the love-hate relationship with Singapore GP. But why do they have this love-hate relationship? What did Sebastian Vettel say about his relationship with the Marina Bay Street Circuit?

Sebastian Vettel’s love-hate relationship with Singapore GP

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is highly demanding of the drivers in terms of physicality. It’s a very technical circuit full of slow-speed corners and quick direction changes. Immense G force is faced by a driver. This is accompanied by hot and humid weather that makes the cockpit of the F1 car feel like a Sauna. Drivers lose up to 4kg during the race in fluids only. Sebastian Vettel is no different from any other driver and had to face all these challenges. That’s where the hate for the circuit comes from.

However, the very same characteristics are also responsible for making the track unique. The night race under the floodlight and the challenges are what makes it special. Overcoming all those challenges and winning the race feel more special. As the saying goes, “The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.” And boy oh boy does Sebastian Vettel know something about winning in Singapore.

Talking about Singapore, Vettel said, “It’s a love-hate relationship in a way, because I love the challenge, but I know it’s very hard work. Singapore is more demanding because the race is longer. It’s hot, it’s humid, so it’s extremely physical.” He then added, “Formula 1 has not been here for long, but it already feels like a classic”

Why is Sebastian Vettel nicknamed the Lion of Singapore?

Sebastian Vettel holds the record for the most wins at the Singapore GP – 5 to be precise. That alone is sufficient to justify him being referred to as the Lion of Singapore. However, that’s not all that is to the story. The German also boasts 4 pole positions at the circuit with multiple instances of brilliance. What Ayrton Senna was to Monaco is what Sebastian Vettel is to Singapore. This utter brilliance of Sebastian Vettel made him popular amongst the local fans as he was nicknamed the Lion of Singapore. But what made the 4-time champion so good around the Marina Bay Street Circuit?

Read More: $20,000,000 Obstacle Becomes Biggest Road Block as Sebastian Vettel Drops Hints of F1 Return

The circuit is full of 90° turns that are slow in nature. The track tests the mechanical grip of the car and having precise control over the throttle is super important to get better traction out of the corner. Seb had a peculiar style of driving where he would brake late, square off the corners, and get on the power early. He lost time while turning in but made it up on the exit. With Singapore having 23 turns back in the day and most of them being slow corners that required braking and downshift, his driving style worked perfectly.

Sebastian Vettel’s Singapore Grand Prix wins

Over the span of his career, Vettel won 5 times in Singapore, 3 times with Red Bull, and 2 times with Ferrari. It all started in 2011 with the Red Bull RB7. Vettel took the pole by 3 tenths, led all of the 61 laps, and won the race. 2012 wasn’t as straightforward as Lewis Hamilton took pole with Vettel starting P3. Hamilton had a gearbox issue on lap 23. Vettel took the lead and went on to win the race. 2013 would be Vettel’s final Singapore GP win with Red Bull. The story was similar to 2011, when he took the pole, led all the laps, and won the race. An addition was that the German also got the fastest lap this time around.

Then came the Ferrari era that started in 2015. Mercedes were the dominant force during the Turbo Hybrid era. Yet, in his first year with the team, Vettel would go on to win the 2015 Singapore GP after taking the pole and leading all the laps. Then came his last Singapore win during the 2019 season. The German driver started P3 behind Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. A controversial call made by Ferrari to pit Vettel earlier meant Leclerc was undercut and Vettel took the lead midway through the race and went on to win. 

Out of 5 of his wins, Sebastian Vettel completely dominated 3 races whereas he fought back in the other two. Even the races that he didn’t win were good races for him. Finishing just 2 tenths behind Alonso in 2010. Vettel took the pole in 2017 but was caught in a lap 1 crash. Whilst Lewis Hamilton can equal Sebastian Vettel’s record at Singapore by winning this year, it is unlikely that the Lion of Singapore label will ever be taken away from Vettel.

Who do you think is going to win the Singapore GP this year?

WATCH THIS STORY | How Fernando Alonso’s 2008 Singapore GP Win Became One of F1’s Worst Controversies – Crashgate