Slater: Hamilton rumours to spark Massa move?

At first sight, Lewis Hamilton should be under the spotlight in Singapore for all the right reasons. McLaren has the strongest mid-season form of any team, having won the last three races and Hamilton, with victories in Hungary and Italy, has won two of them.

Hamilton also returns to Singapore with winning form at the track, having scored victory in 2009. Another win is most definitely in his sights, as it is too for team-mate Jenson Button, who claimed second place in last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

Of course being Lewis Hamilton, just as much attention will be paid to him off the track. Not least, everyone will be looking for any hints regarding his future. The rumours that the British driver may be considering a switch from the McLaren team which has nurtured him since 2000, have sparked ever more wider-ranging speculation on the future shape of the Formula One driver line-up.

A couple of weeks ago, the signs were that McLaren, in the words of team principal Martin Whitmarsh "had no plan B", in terms of a potential replacement if Hamilton were to jump ship. Now there are increasing hints that the team has approached the talented Mexican Sergio Perez.

It sparks the interesting scenario that McLaren team might even tell Hamilton that enough is enough. Either he confirms his commitment to the team or moves on.

If the McLaren moves are anything more than conjecture, it could be a tactical masterstroke that puts big pressure on Ferrari. As a Ferrari Academy graduate, Perez' strong second place in Monza had sparked renewed rumours of his being considered as a replacement for Felipe Massa next season.

However some in the Ferrari camp, including Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, had suggested that Perez needs to stay with Sauber for another year to gain more experience. Perez, after gaining his second, second-placed finish of the season, would probably disagree.

Could Massa hang on for another season? Ironically the Brazilian drove his best race so far in Monza, only allowing team-mate Alonso past to maximise the championship leader's points total as Ferrari finished third and fourth.

McLaren's interest in Perez may force Ferrari to come to a decision. They simply cannot afford to delay and see Perez slip through their fingers.

Another speculation is that Mercedes, long associated with team owner Peter Sauber, might even offer Perez a set of silver overalls should Michael Schumacher return to retirement. That move could place both Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton equally out in the cold.

Traditionally they call this period of contact renewals "the silly season". In two decades of working around Formula One, I can't remember a season much sillier.

Three other drivers may also be in the spotlight, for all the right reasons, on the Marina Bay street circuit. At the head of them is undoubtedly Championship leader Alonso.

The Spaniard's win for Renault at the inaugural 2008 race was tainted by the "crash-gate" controversy in which it is alleged that Nelson Piquet deliberately crashed to trigger a safety car period. Vindication came in 2010 with Ferrari, when an emphatic second win drew a line under the scandal. A third victory is most definitely not beyond Fernando's grasp.

However one team and two drivers might yet spring a surprise. Red Bull were humbled at Monza, where the long straights betrayed the RB8's lack of straight line speed, while an alternator failure further robbed Sebastian Vettel of a points scoring opportunity.

In comparison, the tight and twisting confines of the Marina Bay street circuit will suit the low speed traction of the Red Bull chassis and the tractable Renault engine. Last year, Vettel won in Singapore and in May this year, team-mate Mark Webber won the Monaco street race. It would be hard to bet against one or both Red Bull drivers celebrating on the podium again this weekend.