Renault gearing up for Singapore challenges
With the Singapore Grand Prix set to launch in a matter of days, Formula One teams are making adjustments for their move from Europe to Asia, adapting to the new time zones, lighting conditions, and tropical
climate. Renault sporting director Steve Nielsen details the various aspects of working with the team in preparation for the big race this weekend.
“Although there’s a seven-hour time difference to Europe, we can step off the plane and remain on European time,” he explains. “Travelling to Singapore therefore impacts on us much less than a race like
China because we don’t have the jet lag.” By virtue of Singapore’s famous Grand Prix taking place at night, there is no drastic change between the crew’s typical working schedule, making the event an effective transition between the European and Asian races.
He adds, “We would normally allow an extra day when travelling to Asia to give the team time to acclimatise to the time difference, but for Singapore it’s not an issue and that’s why we can travel out
a day later.”
Yet Renault’s Robert Kubica, who achieved podium victories on similar tracks such as Monaco and Belgium, acknowledges that there is somewhat of a surreal aspect to the time change. “Singapore is one of
the hardest races of the entire season,” he reflects. “You also have the strange timetable that means we work late, go to bed late and wake up in the afternoon. You don’t feel any difference during the race weekend itself, but each year it has felt a bit strange
to come back to a normal schedule afterwards.”
But for team-mate Vitaly Petrov, who is seeking a continuation of his consistently improving form, Singapore will be readily adaptable. “I like the fact that we will be working at night and sleeping during
the day,” he exclaims. “I actually think that I will be able to sleep more! I will arrive in Singapore as early as possible to adapt and start living in race weekend conditions: going to bed late at night and getting up late in the morning. It will be a challenge
because everything will be new for me, but it will be a challenging weekend for everybody.”
The change from the usual routine is partly what makes the track so appealing to drivers and their crews, however, and there is something distinctly festive about the circuit and the days surrounding the
event. A 24-hour city, working deep into the early morning hours is no inconvenience to the crews, who can easily find a place to eat or simply enjoy the approaching dawn. “Sometimes we see the sun rising as we walk home,” Nielsen says.
As well, hotels and services modify their own schedules so to accommodate the teams, serving breakfast in the afternoon between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.
Though much work is done at night, lighting is no problem in Singapore, with all the racing facilities excellently equipped with sophisticated light configurations. With 2,200 lux in the pit lane, 800
lux in the garage, and 1,600 lux at Turn One, one will not find the situation wanting of more light, and this adds to the renowned brilliance of the circuitscape.
As well as time and lighting concerns, humidity is a big issue that must be faced by drivers. Singapore’s hot climate is unforgiving, with the possibility of heavy downpours throughout the year. This makes
racing conditions particularly challenging for the drivers, not only in terms of handling the wet asphalt, but in how their own bodies adapt to the environment. “Even though the race is at night, it’s still very humid, which makes it difficult for the drivers
to stay cool,” explains Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli, from the Italian sports medicine clinic Formula Medicine. “That’s because the sweat stays on the surface of the skin, rather than evaporating and cooling down the body. So the driver’s body temperature becomes
very high and they can overheat, which leads to loss of energy, loss of concentration and slower reaction times. It’s a bit like combining the mental challenge of Monaco with the physical endurance needed for Sepang.”
The Marina Bay Street Circuit will no doubt be a fascinating battle of endurance, control, and adaptation, but it will be a promising weekend for Renault, whose current model is suited beautifully to the
physical characteristics of city circuits such as this one. The first practice session will be held September 24.
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