Cadillac Formula 1 Team has arrived in Singapore for Round 17 of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship, completing the final leg of a grueling triple-header that began in Malaysia, with both drivers expressing cautious optimism ahead of the Marina Bay Street Circuit night race.
The team traveled just 300 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, but Team Principal Marcin Budkowski says the circuit demands a complete reset in approach. “Singapore is always one of the most demanding events on the calendar, both for the car and physically for the team and drivers,” Budkowski said in the team’s official preview. “Following high-speed circuits like Sepang, Marina Bay presents a very different test with its tight, low-speed corners, high humidity, close walls and the unique rhythm of working on European time for the night race.”
Budkowski identified car balance and mechanical setup as the team’s primary focus, noting that street circuits demand high confidence under braking and over curbs. He added that Safety Car strategy and avoiding incidents would be critical to capitalizing on any opportunities during what he described as “a long, arduous race.”
Sergio Pérez brings considerable pedigree to Marina Bay, having made 12 starts in Singapore and recorded ten points-finishes at the circuit. His 2022 victory — taken from second on the grid on a wet track, leading every lap — cemented his reputation as a street circuit specialist. Pérez said the team has clear areas to address after Malaysia. “I feel there is potential for us to be more competitive here, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the car responds and where we can put ourselves,” he said.
Valtteri Bottas, who has raced at Marina Bay on ten occasions and finished on the podium there in 2017, echoed that confidence. “The track characteristics should suit our car a little better than Malaysia, so we’re aiming for a stronger weekend,” Bottas said, while acknowledging the physical toll the circuit exacts. “It’s super twisty, the walls are close and you need a lot of concentration for the whole lap.”
The Singapore Grand Prix has featured on the Formula 1 calendar since 2008, when it became the sport’s first permanent night race. The Marina Bay layout winds through the city’s downtown core, passing landmarks including Raffles Hotel, the National Gallery, and the Singapore Flyer, before crossing the Anderson Bridge over the Singapore River. The smooth but crowned road surface and numerous 90-degree corners demand precise ride-height and suspension tuning from engineers.