Formula 1 returns under the lights at the home of the original night race as the Singapore Grand Prix gets underway this weekend.

The infamously challenging event at the Marina Bay Street Circuit was the only one Red Bull failed to win during their dominant 2023.

Verstappen remains 59 points clear of Norris in the Drivers’ standingsGetty

Fast forward 12 months and reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen is on a seven-race winless streak.

That is the Dutchman’s longest drought for four years and one that has seen McLaren now lead the Constructors’ Championship for the first time since 2014.

Verstappen – who hasn’t been on the top step of the podium since Spain in June – will now have to try and end his Singapore curse.

The Marina Bay race is one of the most physical taxing races and is the only current event on the 2024 grid that Verstappen hasn’t won.

The street circuits’ humid conditions can see drivers lose as much as three kilos of body weight through sweat during the two-hour race – with a lack of long straights also removing any window for respite.

Carlos Sainz won last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, but it’ll be his former teammate Lando Norris gunning for glory this time around.

Singapore GP: Date and UK start time 

The race weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit is scheduled to take place from Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22. 

Practice will get underway at 10:30am UK time on Friday with Practice Two then starting at 2pm the same day. 

Practice Three will kickstart Saturday’s action at 10:30am on Saturday before qualifying starts at 2pm. 

Light’s Out for the race will take place at 1pm UK time on Sunday. 

Piastri’s win meant McLaren are now above Red Bull in the constructor’s standingsGetty

Singapore GP: TV channel and live stream

The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. 

Coverage of the race is scheduled to begin at 11:30am on Sunday.

Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.

You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.

talkSPORT will also have live updates throughout the race from Jon Jackson.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Sainz and Perez were involved in a huge crash late onF1

Singapore GP: What has been said?

Sergio Perez‘s father was rushed to hospital after suffering a pre-heart attack in the aftermath of Checo’s crash in Azerbaijan.

Antonio Perez Garibay appeared to have a medical emergency watching his Red Bull son collide with Carlos Sainz in Baku.

The 65-year-old was found unconscious at his home in Mexico City on Sunday and has since been recovering in hospital.

A statement from the former politician’s press office read on Tuesday: “Perez Garibay was found unconscious in the bathroom of his Mexico City home, where paramedics attended to provide immediate medical attention.

“He was rushed to a hospital in the capital, where he is currently under medical observation and in stable condition. We thank you for your expressions of support and affection.”

In a further update, Perez Garibay’s racing organisation, Scuderia Perez, said: “Mr. Perez Garibay is stable but remains in intensive care under constant medical review, focusing mainly on his heart and other vital organs.

“The specialists in charge have indicated that his condition continues to be closely monitored.”

Perez Garibay himself told Mexican publication Medio Tiempo: “Everything happened after the accident.

“The shock of the accident may have caused it. They are already checking my heart to see why I fainted.”

Red Bull driver Perez, his father Antonio Perez Garibay and his sister Paola PerezGetty

Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Drivers’ standings 

Max Verstappen, Red Bull – 313 

Lando Norris, McLaren – 254 

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 235

Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 222

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – 184 

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes – 166

Sergio Perez, Red Bull – 143 

George Russell, Mercedes – 128 

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – 58

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – 24 

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas – 22 

Yuki Tsunoda, RB – 22 

Daniel Ricciardo, RB – 12

Alexander Albon, Williams – 12

Pierre Gasly, Alpine – 8 

Oliver Bearman, Ferrari – 7

Kevin Magnussen, Haas – 6 

Esteban Ocon, Alpine – 5

Franco Colapinto, Williams – 4

Zhou Guanyu, Kick Sauber – 0 

Logan Sargent, Williams – 0 OUT

Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber – 0