Singapore GP: Most contested race of the year?

London - The race could be on for victory in next weekend's Singapore grand prix (September 16-18).

The inter-team fight for the title, however, is all but over, with Ferrari having already ceded defeat to Mercedes.

Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said: "I have already said a few times that work on the 2017 car began very early and very intensely.

"Now, we want to secure second in the world championship, win races and show a strong Ferrari. Our best chances I see as Singapore, Suzuka and Austin."

Getting a piece of the pie

Indeed, Singapore could be a close-run battle.

In 2015 Sebastian Vettel won the night race, with Mercedes suffering its mysterious performance slump.

READ: Singapore GP - Vettel victory livens up title race

Mercedes' Toto Wolff admitted: "In the briefing (at Monza), we discussed our preparations for Singapore, as we didn't do the best job last year. In Singapore, we will see if our solutions were right."

In truth, it will probably be Red Bull rather than Ferrari pushing Mercedes the hardest in Singapore.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Auto Motor und Sport: "Singapore, Sepang, Suzuka and Mexico are our tracks," .

And Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko revealed to the German magazine that the team is bringing "new parts" for the car, while Renault has an "upgrade for the engine".

READ: 2017 F1 rules can stop Mercedes - Alonso

However, F1 legend Gerhard Berger tips Mercedes to keep dominating, saying to Sky Deutschland: "We saw (at Monza) how big Mercedes' lead still is. We can only hope that over the winter something happens so that the races are more exciting at the front next year."