Air quality threat to Singapore GP weekend

Singapore Grand Prix organisers are concerned about air quality in the region which might affect the drivers' visibility under the floodlights.

A dense smog cloud has been hanging over Singapore for the past week as a result of farmers in neighbouring Sumatra clearing their land for farming by using controlled fires to raze forests, an annual occurrence in the region.

The Singapore National Environment Agency told Reuters that there had "been a deterioration in the haze conditions" over the last 24 hours because of the prevailing winds coming from the direction of Sumatra. Under the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), the haze is currently rated as being in the low- to mid- sections of the 'unhealthy' range of air quality.

While at this stage it's not considered severe enough to affect the staging of the Grand Prix, a number of local sporting events were cancelled this weekend over concerns about the air quality.

The Grand Prix organisers are mainly concerned that if the smog grows much thicker during the week then it could potentially affect driver visibility, as dust particles may be highlighted and reflected by the glare of the powerful floodlights used to transform the night time streets of the city into a top sporting venue.

"The possibility of haze is just one of the many potential issues that are covered in the overall 2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Contingency Plan," a spokesperson for the event told Reuters.

"In the event that the haze caused visibility, public health or operational issues Singapore GP would work closely with the relevant agencies before making any collective decisions regarding the event."

Air quality and visibility has been an issue in the past Formula One in nearby Shanghai, which saw a practice session for the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix delayed by 20 minutes because it wasn't safe to operate the medical evacuation helicopter.

As for the general weather outlook, forecasts of some thundery outbreaks and showers in the days leading up to the Grand Prix might actually help improve the air quality by washing some of the dust particulates out of the atmosphere.

The two practice sessions on Friday could also be affected by rain, but Saturday is set to be mainly dry with only very light showers in the area, and the race on Sunday should see dry and settled conditions with little chance of precipitation expected at this point.

In the seven years since Singapore joined the FIA world championship calendar, there has never been a wet race at the popular venue.

This year's race will be held on a slightly revised circuit, after local redevelopment work in the city led to a remodelling in the middle sector through turns 11, 12 and 13 across the Anderson Bridge.

Organisers are hoping that a widened turn 13 will give more overtaking opportunities to the drivers in this year's race. It's only the second time that the circuit has been modified, with the 'Singapore Sling' turn 10 chicane having been removed in 2013.

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