Tyre preview for the Singapore Grand Prix

Following the quickest circuit on the F1 calendar, F1 is about to finish a protracted journey to Singapore this weekend. F1Technical’s senior author Balázs Szabó delivers his tyre preview forward of the Singapore Grand Prix.

As has been the case for all the different avenue circuits this 12 months, Pirelli will deliver the trio of softest compounds to Singapore: C3 as P Zero White onerous, C4 as P Zero Yellow medium and C5 as P Zero Red smooth.

Tyre stress is comparatively low at the Marina Bay Circuit with the focus positioned on traction whereas lateral forces are low. Given the incontrovertible fact that the Singapore observe is a avenue circuit, it normally goes by a major observe evolution throughout the weekend which frequently implies that drivers discover enormous enhancements between the opening two practices and qualifying.

While corners are taken at a lot decrease velocity in comparison with the ones that make up the high-speed tracks like Silverstone, Barcelona or Suzuka, the climate circumstances make the race bodily demanding. The race takes place at evening, beginning at 8pm native time. The intense humidity, excessive temperatures and warmth retention as a result of the partitions lining the observe make this a bodily demanding race for the drivers.
Changes to format

The format has been modified this 12 months, with the part of observe between turns 16 and 19 now changing into a straight that’s round 397 metres lengthy. This implies that the variety of corners goes down from 23 to 19, whereas the complete lap size is now 4.940 kilometres (in comparison with 5.063 beforehand). The race has been prolonged to 62 laps: one lap greater than final 12 months.

There’s loads of ‘street furniture’ on the public roads that make up the Marina Bay circuit similar to painted white strains and manholes, which may have an effect on grip ranges: particularly if it rains.

When it involves race technique, the one-stop technique is the clear strategy to go given the size of the pit lane and the tyre put on. The pit cease loss time of round 28 seconds is the highest of the season, along with Imola. The hardest compound accessible is often the principal race tyre if it stays dry.

As with different avenue tracks, grid place is normally essential to a very good end, given the restricted overtaking alternatives. Qualifying tends to have a robust affect on the last end result.

Given the incontrovertible fact that the tyre stress at the Marina Bay Circuit is a comparatively low, the minimal beginning pressures are pretty low in comparison with tracks like Barcelona or Silverstone. They are set at 22.0psi for the entrance tyres and 19.0psi for the rear tyres. The camber limits are as follows: -3.5° and -2.0° for the rears.

Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Mario Isola stated: “The closing phases of this lengthy season, taking Formula 1 to 3 continents and 16 totally different time zones, kicks off in Singapore this weekend. This was the first race to happen underneath synthetic gentle: an concept that was later adopted, in various levels, by different venues. From a technical standpoint, Marina Bay is a typical avenue circuit: very twisty (with 19 corners, a lot of them 90-degree) and little run off. As a consequence, even a small mistake will be pricey, whereas the observe format additionally implies that the automobiles run a excessive stage of downforce.

“This 12 months, the lap takes on a brand new look as a result of some constructing work in the Marina Bay space: the a part of the observe that was beforehand turns 16 to 19 is now only a single straight, which is sort of 400 metres lengthy. This change will make the observe quicker; firstly as a result of the complete lap size is now lower than 5 kilometres and secondly as a result of the format has turn out to be much more flowing. We’ll wait to see if this modification has an impact on methods, as a result of in concept a minimum of it might create an overtaking alternative – with passing notoriously tough except you have got a a lot quicker automotive.

This observe doesn’t place specific stress on the tyres by way of loading, however the rear tyres must be fastidiously managed throughout the traction section when exiting gradual corners. Temperatures are normally constantly excessive, as Singapore is simply about 150 kilometres from the equator. This will increase the danger of overheating: not simply for tyres but in addition all the pieces else, together with the mechanicals and naturally the driver!”