Singapore GP Delayed to Prevent $70M Worth Rapper From Getting Wet Pre-Race

The Singapore GP had the potential to be one of the most enthralling F1 races of the season. Instead, it turned out to be a dull and disappointing race, dominated by the safety car. To start things off, the race start was delayed by an hour due to rain, a decision for which the FIA received heavy backlash.

Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez earned perhaps the best victory of his career by overtaking pole-sitter Charles Leclerc in the very first corner at the start. Apart from that, there were hardly any exciting instances in the race.

Furthermore, the race finishing under the timer frustrated the fans. As a result, the fans and F1 journalists called out the FIA for not starting the race early.

James Elson of motorsportmagazine.com mocked the FIA by stating, “The race would have been perhaps more entertaining if they’d started a bit closer to the original time, but of course we didn’t want Stefano Domenicali or will.i.am to get wet as they sauntered down the grid pre-race – these things are important, you know.”

Will.I.Am, the $70M worth rapper, was among the artists performing at the Singapore GP.

READ MORE: Delayed Singapore GP Faces Torrential Rain as Traumatised F1 World Worries For Spa-Like Outcome

F1 returned to Singapore after 2 years, much to the excitement of the fans. However, the most dramatic event all weekend was perhaps the fiasco about Red Bull exceeding the budget cap.

Red Bull boss hails Sergio Perez as he secured an impressive Singapore GP win

Sergio Perez needed a great outing after his recent struggles and he got just that. In what was perhaps his best victory in F1, he nailed the race from start to finish. Christian Horner was all praises for his Mexican driver as he bagged an impressive victory.

Horner heaped praise on the former Force India driver and said, “It’s without doubt the best drive of his career.”

He added, “Tricky conditions; he nailed the start, he converted the start, he settled himself into the race, he looked after those intermediate tyres, Safety Cars coming and going, restarts, and he was just always in control – super cool – obviously the crossover onto the slicks, getting them going as well.”

The Red Bull boss also praised his composure when he was under pressure from Leclerc. Despite the DRS advantage for the Ferrari driver, Perez kept his cool to secure his 4th win in what was a scintillating drive.

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The FIA failed to live up to the expectations of the fans as they missed an opportunity to make things interesting in Singapore. A race start under the rain and floodlights could have made things engaging. However, a delayed start meant the race concluded under the timer. Do you think the FIA missed a trick with the Singapore GP?