Feature
ICYMI: Ice baths, rock stars and reptiles all feature in the best social media from Singapore
Singapore might have seemed a tense affair, with four drivers pushing each other in the closing stages for the race win as the barriers loomed large, but there was plenty more going on than just the track action. From celebrity sightings to champagne celebrations, here are some of the best bits of social media you might have missed...
The return of Godzilla
Roll the clock back to 2016, and a rather more fresh faced Max Verstappen came face to face with a monster lizard on track, which he aptly dubbed 'Godzilla'. In first practice this year, not one but three lizards made an appearance out there – although Verstappen sounded somewhat disappointed by the size of the one he encountered...
FACTS AND STATS: Red Bull’s run finally ended and Lawson takes maiden F1 points
A replacement for the RB19?
Speaking of Red Bull, they had a torrid time of it on Friday and Saturday, struggling for grip and winding up well off the pace. Both drivers sounded incredibly frustrated, and maybe they should have considered racing these instead?
Although we aren't too sure of their aerodynamic credentials, especially down the straights – not to mention their cornering abilities thanks to that higher ride height.
She moves in her own way
Charles Leclerc is a well known pianist, at least within the paddock. But how could he turn down this invitation to duet with The Kooks? Assuming that Leclerc gives his car a woman's name like former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, 'she moves in her own way' could take on a whole new meaning.
The Honey Badger returns
AlphaTauri debuted a new race engineer in Singapore – and it was none other than Daniel Ricciardo. Sporting a small brace on his injured hand, it was great to see him back in the paddock with his trademark smile still intact. And given Liam Lawson scored points, it's safe to say that Ricciardo could easily have a second career as an engineer looming.
Wholesome content alert
In the cut throat world of F1, it isn't often that you get a truly feelgood story but when Liam Lawson revealed that his dad had always promised to take him to Singapore for the Grand Prix before the weekend, it seemed one was in the making. His dad had never managed to take Lawson to the race, so Lawson instead flew his family over - and not only did they watch their son race, but they watched him score his first points too.
Once a McLaren driver...
As if the bromance between Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris wasn't enough, McLaren tweeted this picture post-race. For a team that has endured some real lows in the past decade, not to mention at the start of this season, to get not just a podium for their driver but one that featured two former drivers they had nurtured had all the feel good vibes.
The prankster returned
In Monza, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur was playing practical jokes on Carlos Sainz all weekend – and when he got to share the podium with the Spaniard, he didn't need an invitation to make sure Sainz got a through drenching with champagne. As if Sainz wasn't drenched enough in a combination of sweat and sticky stuff, Vasseur upended his bottle down Sainz's overalls for good measure.
Time to break the ice
Sainz would have needed a serious wash after that podium, and he's not the only one. All weekend long the drivers were jumping out of their cockpits and into a variety of tubs, buckets and containers filled with ice in a bid to cool down.
Some did so with their team mates – friends who bathe together, stay together – while others had different company. Nico Hulkenberg had some on-brand swimming trunks, but as for Lando Norris... Is he getting ready for Halloween?!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Podcast F1 NATION: Gabriel Bortoleto on his ‘dream’ F1 chance with Kick Sauber, guidance from Alonso and flying the flag for Brazil
Feature IN NUMBERS: How Kick Sauber signing Bortoleto’s F2 and F3 career compares to Leclerc, Russell and Piastri
News ‘We know what we want to do’ – Magnussen issues update on talks over still working with Haas after 2024
News Binotto says Sauber had talks with ‘strong candidate’ Mick Schumacher before deciding on Bortoleto