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Williams hopeful of tackling Ferrari in Singapore

Williams will be seeking once again to reign in rival Ferrari at Singapore while hoping Mercedes doesn't somehow run away with the Marina Bay race.

Currently third in the team standings, Williams enjoyed a good weekend in Monza with Felipe Massa securing a well-deserved spot on the Italian podium, just edging out team mate Valtteri Bottas.

But the British squad is still somewhat kept at bay by Ferrari in its quest for best of the rest this season behind the dominant Mercedes force.

Singapore's inherent characteristics, which include a high humidity environment, looming street circuit barriers and a susceptibility for safety cars, make it a difficult proposition to forecast although Williams' Rob Smedley is hopeful of achieving a good result thanks to the team's upgrade package.

"It’s a street circuit and a night race so it poses some very significant challenges," Smedley said.

"It’s very long with 23 corners which are a challenge for the drivers physically, and also for the engineers because of their relative low speed. It starts off as an understeer circuit which develops to include tyre degradation on the rear tyres which causes traction issues in the race.

Williams 'may not take' latest Mercedes upgrade

While optimistic ahead of the Marina Bay weekend, Smedley is reluctant to divulge details of the upgrades associated with the FW37 chassis in its bid to challenge Ferrari.

"We don't really talk about that, we're bringing upgrades to the car in all the areas all the time," he told Autosport.

"F1's a strange business - you often look at it and say you've brought a new front wing and a new rear wing and new bodywork and a new floor and all of it might add up to [the same effect as] a front wing change that you make three races down the line."

"It's not the quantity of components, it's how much laptime it brings."

Chris Medland's Singapore Grand Prix preview

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.