The Singapore Grand Prix marks the start of a busy period on the Formula 1 calendar as we gear up for the first of three races in Asia.

Marina Bay is an interesting and challenging street circuit raced under the lights of the night time sky. Its fast kinks and tight and twisty infield means it is much more suited to our car than the previous round in Monza.

We knew Italy would be challenging. Nico looked in a good position and was in contention for tenth place. But traffic in front of him meant overtaking was difficult and he had to settle for thirteenth.

Jolyon was on a reverse strategy as we had a bit of a license to try something different, but we had to retire his car with a transmission issue to prevent greater woes.

There are two positives to note from the weekend: among our closest rivals, only Williams scored points. And Daniel Ricciardo’s impressive drive from sixteenth on the grid to fourth place is particularly encouraging. It meant a Renault engine had a best finish at Monza since the introduction of the V6 Turbo Hybrid engines in 2014.

We are now focusing on these busy Asia rounds. Williams sit just 21 points ahead of us in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship and, with seven races to go, it’s very much in our capability to chase that down by the end of the season. We need to create some momentum and string together some consistent results with both cars inside the top ten. Singapore will be vital to kick start this effort.

Track side, from the Singapore Grand Prix, Matthieu Dubois takes on the role of Head of Race Strategy of Renault Sport Formula One Team. He will functionally report to our Sporting Director Alan Permane.

Matthieu joined Renault Sport in 1998 where he has held various positions including the one of Race Strategist at Enstone from 2008 to 2012. Up until now, Matthieu has been in charge of the customer track teams (Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso).

Simultaneously, Ricardo Penteado, Head of the Engine Track Service, will take the direct responsibility for all three teams. In his day to day activities, he will be supported by the Lead Engineer from each team. He will also be in charge of liaising with our customers at the track.

Finally, it has been good to see continued success and trophies from the Renault Sport Academy. Jack Aitken added another podium in the GP3 Series as he remains in contention to win the title with Christian Lundgaard taking three podium finishes including a victory in the Spanish F4 Championship.

Normal Service

A low downforce configuration made things tricky in Monza, but Singapore offers a complete contrast of set-up as Technical Director Nick Chester explains.

What are the challenges of Singapore?

Firstly, it’s massively different to Monza and almost a stark contrast as a high downforce package is required, and that should suit us pretty well. There are a number of things to look out for: tight corners, big kerbs and a lot of traction demands, meaning it can be a hard place to get the right set-up. But if you have a reasonable amount of downforce you should have a quick and competitive car. We’d expect to be back to our Britain, Hungary and Spa level of performance.

Are there any updates to deal with Marina Bay?

We’ve made softer rear springs to make the rear end more compliant which will aid traction. As ever, you have to get the compromise right as it’s a balance between a compliant chassis and not losing too much aero performance. We have some minor updates to the bodywork which we will evaluate during the practice sessions.

How do you reflect on recent weeks?

We’ve kept improving the car which has been very positive. Since Silverstone the car has been a chunk more competitive. Budapest and Spa kept that trend up and we were the fourth quickest car in terms of pace. We weren’t as quick in Monza, but the upcoming races should see us back to the level of performance we saw at Spa. There are no remaining tracks with super low downforce. We have good potential to be strong at these next three Asian races.

How are the 2018 developments progressing?

We have to get the Halo on the car for next year and that’s a big challenge. That will be a big deal as it changes the chassis construction. There are other developments in the pipeline, we are still learning lessons from this year’s car and aiming to transfer that knowledge into next year’s car.

Night Fever

After missing out on the points in Italy, Nico Hülkenberg is set for a showdown under the Singapore night sky.

Is it a strange feeling to race under the lights?

It takes a little getting used to, but it’s not so bad. It’s been on the calendar so long that it feels like a normal race. It’s a very special Grand Prix and the only real night race we have. We don’t really see the day there! We sleep until lunchtime, and then it’s off to work, so there isn’t much of a social life for us drivers. The venue is amazing, how they’ve built it all is fantastic, especially as it’s right in the middle of the city.

And how is the circuit to drive?

As a track, it’s really tough and physically demanding – arguably one of the hardest of the season. The lap is long with lots of corners and some tight and sharp bits. The high temperature and humidity, combined with the fact that it’s a street circuit, makes it quite hard. It’s important to be in top physical shape due to the harsh requirements. Safety cars usually come out which makes strategy hard to call.

What are your feelings after Monza?

We’re finished with Europe, but ultimately Italy was a difficult weekend for us as a team. It’s disappointing not to come away with points. I got stuck in traffic in the race and couldn’t do too much. I’m going to get it off the mind as soon as possible and gear up for Singapore. I’m looking forward to it as we should be more competitive; onwards and upwards!

Under the lights

Singapore kicks off the Asian stint of the calendar with points the only thing on Jolyon Palmer’s mind.

What do you like about Singapore?

I love Singapore as it’s a highly unique event under the lights. I’ve won there in the GP2 Series and it was one of my best wins. In fact, I raced there two years running and both years were very good. Hopefully I can create more good memories there. It’s a cool feeling driving at night as you can see the circuit very clearly from the lights but your vision is channelled as the background is in darkness.

What are the challenges of the circuit?

The final sector is a real challenge with the section under the grandstand. It’s tight over the bridge too so you need your wits about you. Stringing a perfect lap together is very testing. Over the bridge and the middle of the lap are pretty tough to get right as you’re braking as you turn so it’s easy to lock a wheel, and the last sector is very tight and twisty. 

How does it differ to other Grands Prix?

We see the circuit change a lot over the weekend as the surface rubbers in then the climatic conditions are reasonably different between FP1 and FP2, then FP3 and qualifying. Getting a good handle on the balance of the car gives us plenty of work as generally it’s cooler later in the night. It’s not your usual race weekend!

Do you find the time to see the city?

It’s a strange weekend as we wake up later than usual with a lot of the work completed in the evening, meaning we don’t get too much time to explore. But the great thing about the race is that it’s right in the centre of the city so you’re surrounded by everything you could want. You don’t have to go far for a good restaurant. It’s always great to sample the local culture.

How do you reflect on Italy?

It was a tough weekend but we knew it was going to be quite difficult as Monza doesn’t really play to the car’s strengths. We didn’t make the most of qualifying and I didn’t make the best start and fell to the back. I felt good in the car, made a few passes, we were in a good place on the reverse strategy but then we had a problem and retired. We get the retirement out of the way now and get ready for Singapore!

RSA Round-Up

Thrilling podium for Aitken in Italy

Renault Sport Academy Driver Jack Aitken battled to a thrilling second place in the sole GP3 Series race of the weekend in Monza.

Heavy rain in Italy meant the GP3 Series could only fit in Friday’s Practice session and Sunday’s race.

Jack ended Friday in fourth just 0.192s down on team-mate Nirei Fukuzumi in first.

And that would be Jack’s starting position for Sunday’s delayed race after torrential rain halted Saturday’s running which put an end to both qualifying and the opening race.

A clean start saw Jack in third and in the mix for the lead with his two ART team-mates. The 21-year-old eventually took the lead on lap 15 with an impressive launch at the end of the Virtual Safety Car to go from third to first.

But Jack fell back to second with Russell taking the flag meaning he trails his compatriot by 43 points with the next round taking place in Jerez in October.

Jack Aitken: "It was a strange weekend that involved a lot of waiting around! It was a shame that Saturday was washed out, so qualifying and race two were cancelled, but race one was a lot of fun. I started fourth and made it up to third immediately when Fukuzumi couldn't start. After sitting back for a while, I got a great VSC restart and went from third to first! I struggled a bit with understeer after that, so could only get second, but I’m still in the championship hunt."

Win for Lundgaard, points for García in Navarra

Christian Lundgaard took a fourth victory of the season in the Spanish F4 Championship as the series resumed in Navarra last weekend (2-3 September).

The Dane, who was recently crowned champion of the SMP F4 NEZ Championship, started all three races from pole position and finished second in the opening race on Saturday.

In race two, Christian cruised to his only win of the weekend before capping the weekend off with another second place in the final race.

Fellow Academy driver Marta García enjoyed a busy weekend with races one and three bringing her two top ten finishes.

Marta was consistently running in the top three across the two test days on Thursday and Friday and backed that up with third and second in the practice sessions.

Unfortunately, the Spanish teen couldn’t back that up in qualifying and settled for seventh. A stall on the line in race one saw Marta battle hard for 10th before she retired in race two. Marta finished the weekend off with seventh in the final race.

Christian Lundgaard: “Setting three poles last weekend was amazing, but it would have been even better to back it up with three wins. Overall it was a really good weekend and I have increased the lead to 56 points in the standings. I’m looking forward to Barcelona now.”

Marta García: “It was not the weekend I expected to have in Navarra, I was really fast across the test days and free practices, but it totally reversed. I made some bad starts and I had a small crash in one of the races, but it’s good to add a couple of points. I’m sure If we put everything together next time in Barcelona we will have better results."

Seventh podium for Latifi, frustration for Rowland

Renault Sport Formula One Team Test Driver Nicholas Latifi secured a seventh Formula 2 podium finish of the season after a pulsating Feature race at Monza.

The Canadian, who started down in fourteenth, finished fourth but was handed third after the race following winner Luca Ghiotto’s penalty for exceeding track limits. In the Sprint race, Nicholas struggled for pace and ended sixteenth.

Renault Sport Formula Team Development Driver Oliver Rowland endured a frustrating weekend which saw him dramatically retire from the Feature race.

Oliver, thirteenth on the grid, weaved his way up to third and looked set to battle for victory in the closing stages, but his rear left wheel dramatically slipped off and put an end to his charge.

Sunday’s Sprint wasn’t much better for Oliver who finished outside the points in eleventh.

Oliver Rowland: “The Feature Race was going very well, I set the fastest lap times and was catching the leaders before losing the wheel which was frustrating. The Sprint Race was difficult, but we made progress and weren’t too far away from the points.”

Nicholas Latifi: "It was a bittersweet weekend for me. Race one was quite positive as I managed to stay out of trouble and keep my nose clean going from P14 to P3 and fastest lap along the way. Race two for me was a bit of a mystery and a missed opportunity to score some more big points. We'll analyse everything during this big break and fight back in Jerez."

Academy Focus… Max Fewtrell

Renault Sport Academy Driver Max Fewtrell tops the rookie standings of the highly competitive Formula Renault Eurocup with two rounds in Spa and Barcelona to go.

A maiden win in Austria in July, as well as being one of only four drivers in the series to finish every race, means Max is in pole position to take the rookie championship.

Born in England, but raised in Singapore, the 18-year-old Tech-1 Racing driver discusses his career so far and how he grew up just a stone’s throw away from the Marina Bay Street circuit.

How did you get into motorsport?

I went karting with my mates on a school holiday and I thought ‘this is what I want to do’. I went back to that track after school and joined a little team. I had my first race in Malaysia and from there it progressed. I did two years of racing in Asia and then we felt we needed to move to Europe as that’s where the higher level is at, so we moved back as a family. Since then I’ve gone up through the ranks of karting and into F4 last year and this season into the Eurocup.

What was winning the British F4 Championship like?

I won the British F4 by winning the last race of the last round which I had to win. It was a long year, a close battle, with lots of up and downs but it was a really amazing feeling crossing that line and securing the title.

How’s your season going so far?

It’s been quite an up and down season in the Eurocup this year. There have been lots of positives; getting the first win in Austria was really important for me. The last round, Paul Ricard, we struggled with the car, so it’s been kind of like that. We’re getting there, that’s for sure.

Who were your racing heroes growing up?

I don’t really have anyone which I go ‘you’re my hero’. I have a few people who I really admire. I’m a bit young for Senna, I’ve seen highlights and seen what he used to do which is amazing. Schumacher is another one, seven world championships is awesome and Hamilton in this era – when he gets it all together – is pretty special.

What is your career standout moment?

The Red Bull Ring win from second off the grid. I was very happy with that.

What was it like growing up in Singapore?

Growing up in Singapore was different, totally different to England. The lifestyle was very chilled out, perfect weather every day which was really nice. I was there for eight years, studying at an international school. I lived about ten minutes from the Marina Bay track. I lived in Sentosa, the tiny island underneath Singapore; it’s a cool place with loads of things to do.

What’s the dream in motorsport?

The dream is Formula 1 and I’m working as hard as I can to get there. I don’t see it as impossible, I’ll do my best and prove to everyone I can, that’s my dream for sure.

Where is your favourite circuit?

My favourite circuit is probably Silverstone as it’s really fun to drive. Maybe because it’s my home track, I always feel comfortable there and seem to go well every time I race there. One-lap qualifying around Pau is also good for pure adrenaline. It’s a really busy lap and mental the whole way round!

Track Notes:

Introduced to the Formula 1 calendar in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix was revolutionary with its intriguing combination of the night-time lights and public roads. At just over 5km, the Marina Bay circuit sweeps through the heart of the city and requires a high downforce package to combat the tight, often 90°, corners.

T1: Cars reach around 290kph down the start-finish straight before braking hard into the opening corner of Sheares. Drivers need to be wary of the bumpy entry here.

T5: Another bumpy entry at five for the medium speed, right-hander. It’s hard to get right and it opens up the fastest stretch of the circuit with a flat-out kink at six.

T7: Turn seven marks the end of the fast straight as drivers brake hard from around 300kph and turn 90° left.

T10: A tight and tricky corner to get right. The section has been revised over recent years with turn ten feeding into the right-left of eleven and twelve before the hairpin at thirteen – the slowest of the 23 turns.

T14: Turn 14 starts the ‘hotel’ section through the grandstands as the MGU-K begins to recover energy through the frequent braking zones and the seven right-angled corners. Rear tyres begin to overheat through this part.

T22-23: The two fastest turns on the circuit with pit-entry tight on the left. Important to hit both apexes here and open up the start-finish straight.

Power Unit Notes:

The Marina Bay circuit has two short straights: the 500m pit straight and then the curved straight between turns five and seven, which shoots down Raffles Boulevard. This 700m straight is the only time the driver will get over the 300kph mark. Although kerbs are used extensively here, the majority are relatively flat.

The long lap and the high chance of a safety car makes Singapore one of the longest races on the calendar. The 2009 race was the shortest so far, at one hour and 56 minutes.

Fuel consumption in Singapore is high due to the stop-start nature of the track layout. Using the ICE alone, the engine would consume around 150kg of fuel over the race, but energy harvesting and employment has brought this down to under 105kg.

The drivers can lose up to 3kg of fluid during the race in the hot and humid atmosphere. This needs to be taken into account when setting the car weight before the race.

• Singapore is one of the slowest circuits on the calendar, rating just above Monaco and Hungary in terms of the lowest average speed. With 23 corners, the average speed is around 175kph
• There are 82 gear changes per lap as opposed to just 52 in Monaco and just 44 in Monza. Due to the short bursts of power, eighth gear will only be engaged two times per lap. Only Monaco has a lower usage.
• In Singapore the ambient humidity can be well over 80%. In the past, these conditions would have had a big impact on the power output, which decreases as less oxygen is available to burn. With the turbo engines, however, the turbo compensates for the lack of oxygen by spinning at a higher rate. In fact, it will spin considerably faster than a comparable race run in dry conditions.
• The big stops on the lap are Turn 7 and 14 where the driver will brake from 300 to 110kph.
• There are few long straights and lots of opportunities to recover energy on braking via the MGU-K. The K may actually be used to propel the car to a higher torque level than usual allowing us to save fuel at this circuit, which is notoriously difficult on fuel consumption.
• Running in the evening will see the relative humidity reduce as the sun goes down. The electrical components of the PU will therefore be insulated against moisture and, in case of rain, the water will be diverted away using special ducts.

Tyres:

Soft (yellow) – French 75 – Not too hard hitting, but this classic gets the best out of champagne and gin.

Supersoft (red) – Singapore Sling – The go to drink. Vibrant, classy and great in the night.

Ultrasoft (purple) – Aviation – Another gin based classic with the Maraschino liquer giving it its soft and attractive purple tinge.

In Numbers:

18 – According to research by the British Council, Singaporeans are the fastest walkers on earth. On average they walk 18 metres in 10.55 seconds or 6.15km an hour.

63 – Singapore is made up of 63 islands.

280 – Due to busy air traffic, buildings in Singapore can be no higher than 280 metres.

682.7 – At 682.7 square kilometres, Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world.

8 – Renault Sport Academy Driver Max Fewtrell lived in Singapore for eight years. 

More information can be douns in the Singapore GP Factfile: http://bit.ly/2x1EXWB