The original Formula 1 night race, the Grand Prix of Singapore has quickly become one of the most iconic events on the calendar since the inaugural loop in 2008. An important physical test and a floating test, your guide for the Marina Bay Circuit is Pierre Gasly, who secured Alpine in Singapore for Alpine.
“I think Singapore is certainly precisely there in terms of harassment and challenges, because it is not just a street track, so it’s bumpy, but some corners are quite high speed, and it’s at night.
“I would certainly say that street tracks are generally slightly more challenging and this has many corners, which ensures a very long race. Moreover, it offers difficult circumstances, with physicality and humidity, etc. So in terms of focus it is also important to keep your head cool to the end.
“To be honest, I really feel that the whole round is important, there is no striking area that is necessarily the key. I mean that whole first part of the number, turn 1, 2, 3, of course if you bet to become 1, it will affect the way you go 3, so that entire section is important.
“The part of Turn 10 is also difficult. Then you get the chicane where you go over the bridge and then you have the hairpin, where you turn around for braking – that corner is also one that is not easy to catch. But they are all pretty complex, that’s what I like.
“All corners are very different around this number. Even like the right hand on bend 5, it is a pretty high speed, it is a bit bumpy – which is not good for our car – but it makes it very challenging.
“It’s a street job, so you have to take risks – clearly measured risks – but it certainly increases the adrenaline in the cockpit.
Gasly enjoys the fact that the Singapore circuit is a place that requires and rewards the risk of risks. Lionel NG/Getty images
“All cars are different, but I think the tricky thing when it comes to setting us up here, the fact that it is a compromise on ride versus downforce. For example, if you focus more on ride, you lose the downforce or you may lose more grip.
“So then it’s a bit like trying to find where the fine line is? You can’t go too extreme on the ride and the importance of still a focus on the aero, or vice versa. Tires here are not easy either.
“In general, it is the kind of number I know with our package that it will not feel great. But as a racing driver you ultimately have to feel comfortable. So that definitely becomes the key to the weekend.
“To be honest, I love it. It’s just a challenge. It is a street job, you are millimeters of the walls, the requirement for precision really pushes you physically and mentally, especially when it comes to maintaining that concentration.”
At a glance
Race -distance: 62laps/190.3 miles
2024 Polar time: 1m29.525S (Lando Norris, McLaren-Mercedes)
2024 Winner: Lando Norris, McLaren-Mercedes
Pirelli -Tandstenstoeing: Since last year, Pirelli has not made any changes for the dry weather connections on the Marina Bay circuit, with the C3 as the hard, the C4 as a medium and the C5 as soft.
Singapore Airways Singapore Grand Prix Weekend schedule (All Times et):
Friday 3 October
5:25 am – 6.30 am – First Exercise, ESPN2
8:55 AM – 10:00 AM – Second training, ESPN2
Saturday, October 4
5:25 am – 6.30 am – Third Practice, ESPN2
8:55 am – 10:00 am – qualifying, ESPN2
Sunday 5 October
7:55 am – 10:00 am – Singapore Grand Prix (62 laps or 120 minutes), ESPN
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