MoneyGram Haas F1 Workforce has headed from the boulevards of Baku to the streets of Singapore for Spherical 18 of the 2024 FIA Formulation 1 World Championship.
Singapore joined Formulation 1’s calendar in 2008 and town state broke new floor for the championship, establishing itself because the inaugural night time race. 1000’s of highly effective lights illuminate the 4.9km course to virtually replicate daylight, whereas the floodlit skyscrapers and landmarks of the Marina Bay district present a spectacular backdrop to the racing motion.
Marina Bay is among the many slowest circuits on the calendar, with solely round 50 % of the lap taken at full throttle, although conversely it has 4 heavy braking occasions, that means cautious administration is required. The vast majority of its 19 turns require solely second or third gear, and the wall-lined circuit can be bumpy, notably within the present technology vehicles. The straights at Marina Bay are additionally comparatively brief, that means passing locations will be at a premium, although adjustments to the format in 2023 eliminated 4 corners and offered an extra overtaking alternative. Groups and drivers should additionally deal with sizzling temperatures and excessive humidity by means of the course of the weekend, in addition to adjusting to an off-set timetable on account of the night-based nature of the occasion. Singapore has held 14 grands prix and each has featured the looks of the security automotive, that means strategists need to be on the ball to swiftly react to any race interruption.
Kevin Magnussen can be restored to MoneyGram Haas F1 Workforce’s driver line-up after the Dane served his one-event suspension – lacking the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Magnussen and teammate Nico Hulkenberg each have a wealth of expertise at Marina Bay; Magnussen completed within the factors in 2023 and has twice set the race’s quickest lap, in 2018 and 2019 respectively, along with his time from 2018 a race lap document on that iteration of the circuit.
American racer Chloe Chambers, 20, will even be in motion representing MoneyGram Haas F1 Workforce in spherical 5 of the 2024 F1 Academy season. Chambers, who competes for Campos Racing, at present holds third within the Drivers’ Standings.
Ayao Komatsu, Workforce Principal: “Singapore is one other difficult avenue circuit, and I am trying ahead to having Kevin again as he is very sturdy at this type of monitor, and he loves the problem. Final yr in a automotive that wasn’t very aggressive, he managed to attain some extent so we’re trying ahead seeing what he can do. For Nico, the stream of the Marina Bay Road Circuit is best than Baku, so he needs to be up there as nicely. In comparison with Baku, it is a very completely different demand; Baku is a low/medium downforce circuit with the lengthy straights and Singapore is extra excessive downforce, so by way of traits it should be a special problem. I am actually trying ahead to it.”
Nico Hulkenberg: “Singapore’s fabulous and it is one of many highlights of the yr for me. I really like the environment and the power; it has a fantastic vibe. It is the unique night time race of Formulation 1, and it appears like that being so particular and distinctive. I really like the monitor, the problem of it, and the physicality of the race, so I am actually trying ahead to it. I will be rocking a special helmet; it seems good at night time below the lights, as do the vehicles. Clearly, I will even be doing my ice baths with Kevin once more, so I’ve introduced one thing particular to put on!”
Kevin Magnussen: “It is considered one of my favourite tracks. Road circuits are my favourite class of tracks and Singapore is a particular one, the unique night time race. It is one of many greatest challenges bodily of the yr, with solely Qatar becoming a member of that listing. With the warmth and the humidity and the size of the race, and simply since you by no means actually get a break all through the lap, it is a fixed sequence of corners over the entire lap just about. I really feel like we have now an excellent automotive for Singapore, it is a low-speed monitor and we needs to be in an honest place to be aggressive. There’s been some fascinating races up to now, we scored in Singapore final yr, so am hoping to try this once more.”
