Ferrari's predictions for F1 Singapore GP: everything to be decided in qualifying
Yesterday at 05:55 PM
Ferrari is preparing for the Singapore Grand Prix with the aim of replicating last year's success. On paper, this track is the last one that suits the characteristics of the current SF-24, while a new phase will begin in Austin. Therefore, for Carlos Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, it will be crucial to take advantage of every opportunity to score as many points as possible, as the balance of power may shift from the next race onwards.
The Marina Bay circuit has always been known for its few overtaking opportunities, which can only happen on the straights or in corners, at the risk of some bold moves. For this reason, as Ravin Jain, Ferrari’s head of strategy, pointed out, qualifying will be crucial: “At Marina Bay, qualifying is particularly important because it's very difficult to overtake. The driver starting from pole position and able to hold onto the lead has a big advantage in being able to manage the pace and control the gaps with those behind when it comes to pit stops. In other words, the leader can decide to increase the pace and manage the gap to ensure enough time for a pit stop after others have already pitted. That said, however, this year a fourth DRS zone has been introduced, which should help with overtaking. Despite this new feature, it remains a track where qualifying plays a really crucial role.”
However, over the course of the 62 laps at the Asian circuit, there are many other factors to consider, not least the Safety Car and driver errors: “First of all, because it's a street circuit. Grip improves throughout the weekend, and drivers need to perform magic to find the limit between the walls. Moreover, the extremely high humidity means that the race is very demanding for the drivers, and even the smallest moment of distraction can cause an accident. In fact, we often see Safety Car interventions. From a setup perspective, the circuit has a lot of low-speed corners, so teams need to focus on traction, finding solutions with high aerodynamic downforce.”
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