The circuit was rerouted this year due to local construction work in an area used for exhibitions and other large events, with four tight corners replaced by longer straight sections.
Officially, the new layout will be used for three more F1 races, with a return to the old version in 2027, assuming construction work is completed by then.
However, at Friday's FIA drivers' briefing, attendees unanimously supported the changes and suggested they should be made permanent, although the decision clearly rests with Singapore authorities rather than the governing body.
Drivers will love the fast rhythm of the new layout and won't miss the sequence of four slow corners.
Fernando Alonso said: “It was fun.'' “I think it's improved from before. I'm a little faster and I've got a rhythm to my laps. So, yeah, I like the change.”
“I like this layout better,” said Bottas. “I think it creates at least a little bit more opportunity and it just makes the course a little bit faster.”
The biggest challenge in maintaining the new layout was bypassing Bay's huge permanent grandstand on the original track, reducing overall spectator capacity for this year's race by 25,000 people, or 17%. .
For obvious commercial reasons, promoters are keen to bring back the rebuilt grandstand and increase capacity again.
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14
Photo credit: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Additionally, it is understood that the 2023 version of the track cannot be used in the long term, as the new straight will eventually be built as part of the overall construction project.
Promoter Colin Shinn has suggested there may be a compromise where the track goes around the Bay grandstand again, but the corner sequence could be revised and made faster.
He also suggested that the current layout could be used for a fourth season in 2027 before work is completed.
“We don't know how long it will take the government to rebuild,” Singh told Motorsport.com. “It might take more than three years to make, but it's probably more like 28 years. We don't know yet.
“When they do that, they will be setting the stage for introducing better trucks. There are no plans yet, but that could end up being something like this.” [the entry] Sweeping in progress. ”
“With 25,000 spectators, it's like a hole left,” he said of the circuit's main stand being removed for the next few years.
