Singapore Grand Prix Preview

Text by Dana Larkin

The night race in Singapore is the second slowest race of the year. Only Monaco is slower. But not a soul will notice. The excitement generated by F1's only night race is simply full tilt boogie. And it's not only the racing that is hot - the weather is a factor as well. There is a reason that this race is run at night. To try and do it during the day would be impossible due to the intense heat and humidity. Despite its slow speeds and nocturnal setting, Singapore is still one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar.

All Sebastian Vettel needs to secure his second World Championship in a row is a podium finish. That is all but a sure thing. Yet, if last year is any predictor, Ferrari should be optimistic about securing a win. Don't forget - however - that Vettel and Webber both finished on the podium last year behind Fernando Alonso. Last year Alonso used a controversial move at the start of the race to slip ahead of Vettel and the rest was down to pure momentum. Red Bull has made a habit out of making those bold enough to bet against them look like fools - take Spa and Monza for example. I would not bet against them at Marina Bay.

Clearly, the top teams have now shifted focus to 2012. To argue otherwise would put one squarely in denial. This might give teams that don't normally compete for points or podiums a chance to slip in. While Ferrari has openly started developing for next year, McLaren has held back and still insists it is seeking wins in 2011. As always, turnabout is fair play and Red Bull has also likely started to work its magic on a 2012 car - but for very different reasons. Regardless, a shift in focus by Red Bull could allow Ferrari, McLaren or even Mercedes to pip a victory. This is particularly true for Lewis Hamilton who needs a big win to redeem himself from recent mistakes.

Pirelli once again has provided super soft and soft compound tires for Singapore - which is appropriate for a slow speed circuit. While slow, Marina Bay does have quite a few twists and turns. Drivers who don't look after their tires could be required to make more than a handful of pit-stops. Ironically, the DRS zone is at the very spot that Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber came together last year. That tangle demonstrated that passing on the straight is no sure thing.

In Singapore, all eyes will be on Vettel. All will be watching to see whether or not he will secure the World Championship in style with a win or cruise into it with a calculated podium finish. Given Vettel's track record, I would save the top step for him.

 

Awesome write-up!

 

Thanks brother. It should be an exciting race.

Expect the championship to be over. That is likely a good thing. Everyone can stop pretending like Vettel isn't going to win it.

 

From Pirelli:

The Singapore Grand Prix from a Tyre Point of View

Singapore is the first and only night race on the Formula One calendar, using a demanding and technical street circuit that calls for Pirelli’s soft and supersoft tyres. This weekend, Sebastian Vettel has the chance to become Pirelli’s first Formula One drivers’ champion since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957. Currently Vettel has a 112-point advantage over his closest rival: if he can extend that margin to 125 points or more by the end of the race, then he cannot be caught in the overall championship standings.

Singapore is also one of the races that lasts longest all year: the 61 laps over the 5.073-kilometre circuit is expected to take the grand prix right up to the maximum two-hour time limit. Although Singapore is well known for its high levels of humidity, it has not yet rained during the actual grand prix, which was inaugurated in 2008. Preliminary forecasts suggest a high probability of rain during this weekend though, meaning that Pirelli’s P Zero Orange rain tyres and P Zero Blue intermediates could also be called into action.

The circuit is unchanged compared to last year, apart from some small modifications to the kerbing at Turn Two. Here are some of the most challengingparts of the track from a tyre’s perspective.

The track:

Memorial corner comes after the longest straight of the lap. The maximum speed reached on the straight is about 300kph, with the cars generating extremely high levels of downforce that pushes onto the tyres. The braking area covers 104 metres, with a 4G deceleration, while the bumpy surface destabilises the car. The front tyres have the equivalent of 600 kilogrammes loading them, guaranteeing grip, a sharp turn-in, and optimal precision throughout the corner.

Another famous corner is Singapore Sling. In order to cut the corner the drivers use the kerbs. The tyres hit the kerbing at 130kph, filtering and reducing the vertical movements of the car and helping the suspension to absorb the shock.

There is a short straight with speeds of 250kph, followed by the final two corners, which have an equal radius. On entry to the final corner, the front-right tyre has to guarantee the best precision possible in order to maintain the ideal trajectory. In the middle of that corner the drivers open up the throttle and unleash full power, with the right-rear tyre having the job of putting all that power down onto the track. With all the corners that characterise the Marina Bay circuit, one of the biggest causes of tyre wear is wheelspin. The softer compounds in the P Zero range are the most efficient in terms of gaining traction, which is another important reason why they are nominated for Singapore.

Rain tyres in the dark:

If it rains when the cars are on track this weekend, it will actually not be the first time that a Formula One tyre has run at night and in the wet. During its pre-season testing campaign, Pirelli tested for two days with Pedro de la Rosa and the Toyota TF109 at the Abu Dhabi circuit in January, on an artificially-dampened track. In the process, history was created – as this was the first time in grand prix history that a Formula One car had run in the dark with ‘rain’.

It was a spectacular show, but with a very serious purpose. Rain is not always associated with cool conditions, so the Abu Dhabi test allowed Pirelli to assess the performance of the P Zero tyres over nearly 400 kilometres within a temperature range of 20-25 degrees centigrade: similar to the conditions that we will see in Singapore this weekend.

De la Rosa was also able to report back on how it felt to drive in wet conditions at night from a driver’s perspective. Although he reported some reflection of the light in the standing water, he added that visibility was not an issue and that it was an enjoyable – and so far unique – experience.

As Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery explains: “Theoretically, there’s absolutely no difference between running our wet tyres at night than there is during the day. The biggest difference is temperature, but the Abu Dhabi test enabled us to gather very useful data about how the wet tyres behaved in unusually warm conditions. We were very pleased with the results of that test, so we know that if it’s necessary this weekend, we can run the wet tyres in the dark with complete confidence.”

 

Great write-up Dana! Thanks for that article as well, Oversteer. This should have all the makings of a very exciting race! I, for one, can't wait!

 

Awesome! My dad is there right now. Flew over for the race! Jealous

 

So excited for this race!

 

Great Write up Dana, I'm looking forward to this race! Viva Ferrari!

 

Great write up Dana! one of my favorites races of the year. I'm hoping it won't be over in this race.

 

Great info guys, check out this video btw!

2011 Singapore GP :: Jenson Button Onboard Qualifying Lap

2011 Singapore GP :: Jenson Button Onboard Qualifying Lap - YouTube