Lotus previews Singapore's unique set of challenges

Ahead of next weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, the Lotus F1 Team gives us a picture of what's in store there in the heat of the night...

At 3.147 miles (5.061km) in length, the 23-turn Marina Bay Circuit in the city-state of Singapore isn't a particularly long track, nor at just 61 laps does it sound as though it should be an especially arduous race. But that's before you factor in the fact it's a street circuit as fundamentally demanding as Monaco.

"The track is really impressive with some technical parts and some classic street circuit 'ninety degree' turns," explained Grosjean. "There are a few decent straights but it is mainly busy, busy, busy for us, with corner after corner.

"Going over landmarks like the [Anderson] Bridge and down the Raffles Boulevard make for a fantastic sight from both the cockpit and also for the TV viewers.

"This year will be interesting with the E23 as it is a car that does inspire confidence, and confidence is king when you’re on a street course. The biggest challenge will be if it’s wet at any time – then we really have to work hard!"

So far the long range forecast for race day suggests another dry race - to date, there's never been a wet Singapore Grand Prix since the event began in 2008. That's just as well all things considered, as Grosjean's team mate Pastor Maldonado explained.

"Traction is fundamental in Singapore, it’s a really big factor. This is because the corners are generally slow and tight, so it means the way we exit them will be critical to ensure a good lap time.

"It will be tough to regulate the torque and the traction out of the slow speed corners; then you look at all the normal things for a fast lap. It’s a track where you can’t make mistakes because the walls are so close."

The team's technical director Nick Chester picked up on that point and developed it further from an engineer's point of view. "There’s plenty to think about for the drivers and engineers alike," he pointed out.

"There are a lot of walls and not so much run-off meaning there’s plenty to think about. You’re dealing with very slow speed corners and a lot of kerbs which means many demands on the car.

"There are many braking points – even though there aren’t any high speed stops, the brakes really take a pummelling as they’re always being used and they get no time to cool down," Chester continued. "Lots of braking means lots of accelerating afterwards, so you need good traction.

"It is a high downforce track, so everybody will be running toward their maximum downforce set-up, then it really is all about how you manage the mechanical set-up to get the best out of the car in terms of handling the kerbs.

"Ensuring a good level of grip in the low speed corners is crucial at Marina Bay."

And then of course there is the notorious heat and humidity of Singapore.

"It’s a humid heat so you sweat a lot, even walking into the track," explained Grosjean. "Keeping hydrated is very important."

However, from a technical point of view the real challenge is neither the humidity nor the sweltering conditions so much as simply the wide variation in temperatures experienced through the course of the day between sessions and during the race as the sun goes down and night time conditions take over.

"The temperature does fall quite a bit, changing the grip and balance of the car somewhat," said Chester. "As the track temperature comes down the grip difference front to rear can change and make it tricky to get the car balanced following the earlier hotter practice sessions.

"It will be down to the drivers to report back what the car is doing and let the engineers re-balance the car as the track temperature comes down. With previous years’ experience we have a fair idea of what sort of adjustments we need to make."

Added Maldonado: "The big change is the temperature of the Tarmac which is slightly cooler at night, so we have a slightly different approach because of this."

As for racing at night under the floodlights, Maldonado said it made almost no difference to him once he was actually in the car.

"To be honest it is not too different to racing in the day or at night. The main reason is quite simple – when we drive we do not look upwards, we are always focusing on what is straight ahead.

Overall, any challenges presented by the venue are more than made up for by the unique atmosphere that seems to make it a favourite of everyone in the paddock.

"I really love racing at this track and in fact I love the country as a whole," enthused Grosjean, who was particularly drawn to the food in offer here - to the point here it seems his biggest challenge will be prising himself away from the food stalls and restaurants long enough to get in the car!

"I love the mix of cuisine you find in Singapore. For what is a relatively small place there is such an amazing fusion of cultures and this means there’s a really diverse mix of foods. You can get some really interesting dishes from the street vendors and there are some world class restaurants in town too.

"A fantastic place with a superb race venue," summed up deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi. "The Singapore people have embraced F1 completely. They are passionate about the sport and they are proud to have a race right in the heart of their fantastic country."

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