It may be one of the calendar's more recent additions, but the Singapore event isn’t short on fans in the Formula One ranks. Not only does it present the unique challenge of being a night race, the track itself tests everyone to their limit too. The drivers and senior team members look ahead to the Marina Bay race and discuss their prospects…

Bruno Senna, Renault
2010 Qualifying - 23rd, 2010 Race - DNF
“Singapore will be a real test. It’s a fairly recent addition to the calendar in F1 terms, and it will be quite a novelty for me. It will be quite demanding to extract everything I can from the car, but I am enthusiastic about what awaits, and I hope I can reward the team with some more points. I will approach the weekend in a similar vain to Monza by completing as many laps as possible in the practice sessions, which will hopefully help me reach Q3 in qualifying. Singapore is a trying track; there are so many corners and you have to be on the ball to avoid making mistakes; it really does bring out the best in a driver. Knowing how to set-up the car is not easy either. Physically, it’s also difficult because it is very humid and the track requires you to be precise corner after corner. Driving at night, you notice the combination of light and shadow which takes some getting used to. As with the Malaysian GP, Singapore requires you to arrive at the track a little earlier to help acclimatise. Having said that, the team will also remain on their British Summer Time body clocks because of the weekend’s timetable! I’m looking forward to a fun and different type of race weekend.”

Vitaly Petrov, Renault
2010 Qualifying - 12th, 2010 Race - 11th
“Singapore is a little different because you are racing at night and sleeping during the day, so you need to change your schedule and be prepared to be a nocturnal racer! As a driver, you really need to spend more time outside, which is why I arrive on the Monday prior to the race weekend so I can adapt to the conditions. I like tracks that require maximum concentration and where you cannot afford to make any mistakes. It goes without saying that it’s not an easy track ; the traction is very important, which is something that has plagued us in the past. However, we are confident of improving on this by ensuring a good set-up for qualifying. The track consists of 23 very demanding corners but I’m looking forward to returning there and trying to improve on my performance from last year.”

Eric Boullier, Renault team principal
“Singapore has become one of the top events - everybody wants to be there and attend the Grand Prix. It is a great race with excellent organisation, and in the last couple of years it has become one of the most popular venues; the Singapore GP means business. It is exciting to have a night time race which allows us to keep our bodies in tune with BST and CET. Singapore has already established a reputation as one of the most popular locations with all the teams, and everyone loves having the F1 circus there because the people are so friendly and accommodating. Quite simply, everyone loves the Singapore Grand Prix.”

James Allison, Renault technical director
“Monaco and Hungary were not good races for us and Singapore shares some characteristics of these two circuits. We feel we have improved things since then and we have a bit more to deliver for Singapore itself, but it is fair to say that I am apprehensive. However, if we do have a good race then we will be set for good performances in the five races that follow, as we will then have shown improved performance on three very different tracks.”

Timo Glock, Virgin
2010 Qualifying - 18th, 2010 Race - DNF
“The Singapore Grand Prix is clearly one of the highlights of the year and my favourite track on the calendar. It really is an amazing experience and I just can’t wait to get in the car and drive through the streets of Singapore at night again. It’s great to be back in Singapore where I finished in second position in 2009. The Singapore Grand Prix is clearly one of the highlights of the year and my favourite track on the calendar. It really is an amazing experience and I just can’t wait to get in the car and drive through the streets of Singapore at night again. It’s great fun! The Marina Bay Street Circuit is very challenging. Just the fact that it is a street circuit already makes it very demanding, but if we add the fact that it’s a night race it just adds to the excitement. Car set-up is tricky, as with any other street circuit, so Friday will be a busy day. It’s an anti-clockwise stop-start layout which demands a high level of downforce and even though the average speed isn’t the highest, it’s really enjoyable. I am looking forward to the final leg of the season.”

Jerome D’Ambrosio, Virgin
2010 Qualifying - n/a, 2010 Race - n/a
“I have very good memories from Singapore - this time last year the team gave me the chance to jump into the car on Friday for the first time. It was a very special moment - a key moment in my career. I have very good memories from Singapore - this time last year the team gave me the chance to jump into the car on Friday for the first time. It was a very special moment - a key moment in my career. One year later I return to Singapore as a Formula One driver and having learned an incredible amount in a very short space of time. It’s a very special track and great fun to drive at night. Visibility is not an issue thanks to the amount of light projectors illuminating the circuit, but it’s certainly not the same as driving in daylight. It’s a very demanding and bumpy track, a bit like Monaco or any other street circuit. One of the biggest challenges will be the high temperatures and humidity, which make this race one of the most physically demanding weekends of the season. Luckily we stay on European timing for the race weekend, staying awake during the night and sleeping most of the day, so we don’t have to worry about jet lag. I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

John Booth, Virgin team principal
“We head to Singapore with a great deal of momentum after an upturn in performance and it’s always encouraging to know that there is more improvement to come. It has been a busy end to the European season, as well as a logistical challenge. As well as preparing for Singapore, part of the team stayed on in Italy after the Grand Prix for our third straight-line test of the year. We completed more aerodynamic correlation work and continued to optimise the upgrade - all of which was extremely beneficial. We head to Singapore with a great deal of momentum after an upturn in performance and it’s always encouraging to know that there is more improvement to come. Singapore is unique as the only night race on the calendar and it’s a race we really look forward to every year. The circuit characteristics are reminiscent of Monaco. The short straights and many first and second-gear corners require a very high level of downforce to give good braking stability and traction. It is a hard circuit on the brakes as there are so many braking zones and so few straights to cool them down again. It really requires the drivers to focus during the whole lap as any mistake can be crucial - but that’s what street circuits are all about.”

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2010 Qualifying - 3rd, 2010 Race - DNF
“I love street circuits and I really enjoy this place - it’s almost two tracks in one: there are quite a few fast corners, which require good set-up and a bit of commitment, but there are also lots of tighter 90-degree bends, which are slower and more technical. You’ve got to keep it precise through these and just be patient, waiting for the tyres to bite before getting on the throttle. If you’re impatient, then you end up losing time because you over-stress the tyres and you over-drive the car. Still, I’ll really be pushing for a good result next weekend. I think we had a car capable of winning in both Belgium and Italy, so I really want to make sure we arrive in Singapore with a good set-up, and that we’re able to run with it through practice and qualifying. If it all goes to plan, we should be in good shape on Sunday. Even though the title is now almost out of reach I’ll be pushing hard for the best possible result. I will never give up and I'll be driving to win as always.”

Jenson Button, McLaren
2010 Qualifying - 4th, 2010 Race - 4th
“This is one of the races I’d most love to win and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to show the same sort of pace that we showed at Monaco and Hungary, where I had two of my best drives of the year. It’s strange to have concluded the European season and still have six more races remaining. Personally, I love this end-of-year series of flyaway races - the circuits we visit are really diverse and, from a drivers’ perspective, they’re some of the best tracks on the calendar. I flew out to Singapore via Japan, so I’ve had the chance to spend a few days getting myself ready. Of course, for Singapore, we’ll revert to the slightly unusual European timetable to ensure that we’re as fit, alert and focused for the night race as we would be for any other Grand Prix. Given our current form, I’m positive that Singapore will be another strong race for us. I’ve been really satisfied with the pace of the car and the efforts of the team. Nevertheless, winning is what we’re all about and that’s what we’ll definitely be aiming for this weekend.”

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal
“We go to Singapore feeling very encouraged about our performance potential. I also think we’re set to continue the trend we’ve witnessed so far this season, with DRS enlivening races that hitherto would have been somewhat processional. At Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, the reality is that we’re fortunate enough to have two drivers who are never satisfied to merely sit behind another car; but the addition of DRS means that we should expect some truly electrifying racing this weekend. The track is wide enough to support close and exciting wheel-to-wheel racing and I sincerely hope that’s what we see this weekend. In just a few years, the Singapore Grand Prix has become a classic Formula One event - the circuit and facilities are truly world-class and the setting and atmosphere of the race make it one of the jewels of the calendar. If circuits like Spa, Silverstone, Monza and Monaco represent the epitome of classic Formula One, then a circuit such as Marina Bay has, I think, quickly established itself as one of the sport’s modern wonders and greatest success stories.”

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes
2010 Qualifying - 9th, 2010 Race - 13th
"I really enjoyed my first experience of Formula One night racing in Singapore last year and it was an interesting weekend to be working on such a different time schedule. Surprisingly, it worked out very well and somehow even fun to drive and have meetings in the middle of the night. The street circuit is good fun and quite challenging, and as an event for the fans, it is also fantastic as they can get so close to the cars around the city streets and see a real racing spectacle. We have enjoyed good results at the final two European races in Spa and Monza, and everyone will be working to continue the hard work and keep up the points finishes as we head to Asia for the flyaway races.”

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2010 Qualifying - 7th, 2010 Race - 5th
"I'm really looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix and it's a circuit that I enjoy very much. I finished second at the first race held here in 2008 so I have some good memories from that weekend. Singapore is a fantastic city and I always try to spend some extra time here with friends after the race. The track itself is good fun to drive and a real challenge. The stop-start nature means you have to concentrate hard throughout the lap and it feels very narrow and enclosed, like a true street circuit. We've made a good step forward with the car in the last few races and I hope we can take advantage of that again next weekend in Singapore."

Ross Brawn, Mercedes team principal
"The Singapore Grand Prix has resoundingly become one of the most impressive events on the Formula One calendar and a unique weekend which is enjoyed by drivers, teams and fans alike. With the fourth race taking place next weekend, we are now well-practiced at working late at night and on a European time schedule, and it makes an interesting change to the usual race weekend format. The Singapore street circuit is very narrow with many first and second gear corners resulting in a low average speed and requiring a high-downforce aerodynamic package. We look forward to achieving further good points-scoring finishes in Singapore and at the final few races."

Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
"This year's Singapore Grand Prix will be just the fourth edition of this unique race, but this night race has already established itself as a fixture on the Formula One calendar - and one of the most spectacular race weekends of the year. The circuit itself is extremely challenging for both the cars and drivers: it is the toughest of the season for the brakes and gearbox. In the final sector alone, the drivers must negotiate 10 corners in the space of 1,500 metres and there is very little margin for error on such a twisty and bumpy street circuit. The team enjoyed an up-turn in form at the last two low-downforce circuits and, although Singapore is a very different type of track, we will work hard to carry our form into the final six flyaway races of the 2011 season."

Vitantonio Liuzzi, HRT
2010 Qualifying - 16th, 2010 Race - DNF
“Singapore will be an interesting weekend for everybody because of the characteristics of this Grand Prix. It will be a tough race physically because it is very hot and also a tough race for the car. The guys have been working hard back home to arrive in Singapore with some new upgrades that will help us in our fight with our closest rivals. With the lighting system at the Marina Bay Street Circuit it feels like you’re driving at midday so the fact that it is held at night doesn’t affect the racing. It would make things different if it rained, with the reflection of the lights in the water, but for us it shouldn’t be a big difference. After what happened in Monza I’m looking forward to putting in a good performance in Singapore, fight until the end and try to get the best result possible.”

Daniel Ricciardo, HRT
2010 Qualifying - n/a, 2010 Race - n/a
“I haven’t raced at the Marina Bay Street Circuit before, although I was there last year as a reserve driver. But I’ve spent some time on the simulator and it looks like an interesting and fun circuit with a lot of corners. It’s quite a confusing track but should be fun. I like street circuits and am yet to do one with HRT so it should be a good challenge. Physically it will be difficult, the drivers say it’s the toughest race all year, because it’s so humid and a long race with a lot of corners. It will be nice to race at night because I haven’t done so since I was competing in go-karts around eight years ago. I’m really looking forward to it because it is also closer to home.”

Colin Kolles, HRT team principal
“Singapore is always a highly demanding race for the teams, drivers and cars. Racing and working at night under high temperatures and humidity make it a very special one. Everybody needs to be very focused and adapt to these circumstances but the positive is that we will be working in European times, which will certainly help. After the disappointment of Monza, we are ready to move on and I am sure that both drivers will do their best to put in a good performance. We expect Tonio to take the most out of his experience and push the car and the team, while Daniel should keep on improving and take another step forward on a track that he has never raced before. We are bringing some updates on the aero side like a modified engine cover and a new underfloor that we hope will help us to close the gap to our rivals. Last year we couldn’t make it to the end but this time, with everybody’s effort, I am sure we can hope f or a two-car finish in Singapore next Sunday.”

Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber
2010 Qualifying - 10th, 2010 Race - DNF
“Last year we were quite competitive in Singapore. I made it into Q3, which is a nice memory - very different, of course, to the outcome of the race when I was lying ninth, but made a mistake when the tyres were quite worn and crashed. After the European races I’m now looking forward to going to Asia. Singapore has a very special atmosphere, because it is in the city and it is at night. Night racing I must say gives me an extra motivation, and I really enjoy it a lot. I went to Tokyo after the Italian Grand Prix. It is not too far from Singapore and in Tokyo I will make sure I prepare myself to the working hours we have to adopt by going to sleep late and getting up late. The Singapore circuit has many corners, they are all quite similar and all very tricky as well. All in all I’m confident for the weekend, and I really want to achieve a good result because it is the last race before my home grand prix in Suzuka, and good results always give you extra motivation and make you stronger.”

Sergio Perez, Sauber
2010 Qualifying - n/a, 2010 Race - n/a
“I believe the Singapore city circuit could be a good one for us. Actually I have not raced there yet, but I did a lot of work in the simulator and, knowing our car, I really hope we can have a positive weekend there. We obviously need to score points to get back our sixth position in the World Championship. I have done some night racing in Qatar when I was in GP2. It is a very special feeling if you live at night and it can also be fun. I will arrive from Zurich, which means I come from the European time zone and then for the night race you actually just stick to that and don’t go onto local time. Regarding the city of Singapore, I only had a quick look around during a stop-over, so I can’t say much about it as this was only a few hours. This time I will make sure I come early enough to discover a bit more about it.”

James Key, Sauber technical director
“Following Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, which are unique circuits, we go to another unique track in Singapore. It’s a long and windy high downforce street circuit, which is typically quite bumpy. It needs good mechanical grip. Traction levels and braking stability are important as well. It’s a hard circuit for the brakes. We’ll be running a high downforce configuration, and we will be working on the mechanical grip. Pirelli will supply the soft and super soft tyres, the same as in Hungary, and we feel these are generally better tyres for us than what we have had at the last two events. We’ll be looking closely at the balance of the car and its ability to absorb the kerbs and the bumps. We tested some new engine maps in Monza for the first time, and we will develop these further in Singapore. Even with DRS, overtaking will be difficult on this track, so qualifying positions and strategy are going to be important. Last year Kamui was able to make it into Q3. Obviously we are keen to bounce back after the disappointment of not scoring the points we thought were certain in Monza.”

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2010 Qualifying - 2nd, 2010 Race - 2nd
“We’ve had some good races in Singapore in the past, especially last year when we finished second, just behind Fernando. I love the track, it’s very challenging; there are a lot of corners, it’s very long, it’s hot and it’s a night race, so there are a lot of special things about Singapore. The car seems to be very competitive there, so I hope we can go back there this year and win – it would be very special. Looking to the Championship, there is still some way to go. We are in a very strong position, which we deserve because we’ve been working hard and made few mistakes. As long as we come out of the next race with a bigger lead then we start with, then we have done a good job, so let’s see.”

Mark Webber, Red Bull
2010 Qualifying - 5th, 2010 Race - 3rd
“The Singapore night race is a challenging one. The track’s bumpy and although the 1500-odd lights do a good job at illuminating the circuit, it’s not like racing in daylight and that makes it tiring. It’s also the longest race of the year, running close to the two-hour time-limit set by the FIA, and the intense heat and humidity makes it pretty warm in the cockpit. You have to watch your hydration during the build-up to the race. I finished third at the Marina Bay circuit last year, but the track hasn’t been that kind to me in the past. I enjoy driving there, so I hope to nail it this year in much the same way that I nailed Valencia earlier this season. In the championship, four of us - me, Fernando (Alonso), Jenson (Button) and Lewis (Hamilton) - are separated by just 14 points and none of us is going to give an inch.”

More to follow.

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