The unique System 1 night time race, the Singapore Grand Prix has rapidly turn into probably the most iconic occasions on the calendar since its inaugural working in 2008. A big bodily take a look at in addition to a driving one, your information to the Marina Bay Circuit is Pierre Gasly, who in 2023 secured a top-six end in Singapore for Alpine.
“I feel Singapore is certainly proper up there by way of trickiness and problem as a result of not solely is it a road observe, so it’s bumpy, however among the corners are fairly excessive velocity, and it’s by night time.
“I’d undoubtedly say road tracks usually are barely tougher and this one has many corners, which makes for a really lengthy race. On high of that it gives tough circumstances, with the physicality and the humidity, and many others. So by way of focus, it is also vital to maintain your head cool till the tip.
“Actually, I actually really feel the entire lap is vital, there isn’t any one standout space that’s essentially the important thing. I imply, that entire first part of the observe, Flip 1, 2, 3, clearly as you decide to Flip 1 it then impacts the way in which you are going to do Flip 3, in order that entire part is vital.
“The part from Flip 10 is hard, too. After that you simply get the chicane the place you go over the bridge after which after that you have the hairpin, the place you’re turning earlier than braking – that nook can also be one which isn’t simple to nail. However they’re all fairly advanced, that is what I like about it.
“All the corners are fairly totally different round this observe. Even like the appropriate hander at Flip 5 is sort of excessive velocity, it is a bit bumpy – which isn’t good for our automobile – but it surely makes it very difficult.
“It is a road observe, so you have to take dangers – clearly measured dangers – but it surely undoubtedly will increase the adrenaline contained in the cockpit.
Gasly enjoys the very fact the Singapore circuit is a spot that calls for and rewards danger taking. Lionel Ng/Getty Photographs
“All vehicles are totally different, however I feel the difficult factor on the subject of setup for us right here is the truth that it’s a compromise on trip versus downforce. Should you focus extra on trip, for instance, you lose the downforce or probably lose extra grip.
“So then it is sort of like looking for the place is the high quality line? You’ll be able to’t go too excessive on the trip and low cost the significance of nonetheless having a deal with the aero, or vice versa. Tires round right here aren’t simple both.
“Typically, it is the kind of observe the place, with our package deal, I do know it is not going to really feel nice. However as a racing driver, you have to really feel comfy in the long run. In order that’s undoubtedly going to be the important thing to the weekend.
“Actually, I adore it. It is only a problem. It is a road observe, you are millimeters from the partitions, the requirement for precision actually pushes you bodily and mentally, particularly on the subject of conserving that focus.”
AT A GLANCE
Race distance: 62laps/190.3 miles
2024 pole time: 1m29.525s (Lando Norris, McLaren-Mercedes)
2024 winner: Lando Norris, McLaren-Mercedes
Pirelli tire allotment: Pirelli has made no modifications since final yr for the dry climate compounds on the Marina Bay circuit, with the C3 because the Laborious, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Comfortable.
SINGAPORE AIRWAYS SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX WEEKEND SCHEDULE (all instances ET):
Friday, October 3
5:25am – 6:30am – First Observe, ESPN2
8:55am – 10:00am – Second Observe, ESPN2
Saturday, October 4
5:25am – 6:30am – Third Observe, ESPN2
8:55am – 10:00am – Qualifying, ESPN2
Sunday, October 5
7:55am – 10:00am – Singapore Grand Prix (62 laps or 120 minutes), ESPN
