Fernando Alonso looking for 'smooth and reliable' weekend

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McLaren's Fernando Alonso has been in the running for points fairly consistently in the second part of the season although Monza remained a fruitless effort.

The Spaniard's track record around the Marina Bay circuit, where he has won twice in the past, will hopefully provide him with an extra boost of motivation to complement a slowly but surely improving McLaren-Honda.

"We knew Spa and Monza would be among the two most difficult races on the calendar for us," Alonso says in his preview to next weekend's festivities.

"Now we move to the end-of-season flyaways and we’re optimistic that we can continue pushing for more points and more positive results.

"Singapore is a really fun track, very bumpy and challenging, but it’s a quirky layout with a lot of stop-start sections and really fast straights, so you need a car that works well in high downforce set-up and has good traction out of the slower corners.

"I’ve won there twice before, and the floodlights and energetic fans give it a really exciting atmosphere."

Just like his colleagues, Alonso is wary of the damp and hot conditions which prevail every year in Singapore. But the 35-year-old is obviously up to the task of dealing with any challenges the race may throw his way.

"Singapore is a great race - it’s always an enjoyable weekend and definitely one of the halo races on the calendar each year. It’s a really long race - usually almost two hours - so a lot can happen.

"It’s tough on the cars too, especially with the current that runs underneath the asphalt near the Anderson Bridge towards Turn 13, which can play tricks on the electronics systems.

"It’s definitely a race of attrition, so I hope we can have a smooth weekend with good reliability, and work our way towards the front.

"Over the past few races, we’ve shown good consistency in our performances, so I’m optimistic that we can continue this form in Singapore."

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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.