Lapping Singapore with Pierre Gasly

The unique Method 1 evening race, the Singapore Grand Prix has shortly turn into one of the crucial iconic occasions on the calendar since its inaugural operating in 2008. A major bodily take a look at in addition to a driving one, your information to the Marina Bay Circuit is Pierre Gasly, who in 2023 secured a top-six end in Singapore for Alpine.

“I believe Singapore is certainly proper up there when it comes to trickiness and problem as a result of not solely is it a road observe, so it’s bumpy, however a number of the corners are fairly excessive pace, and it’s by evening.

“I might undoubtedly say road tracks usually are barely tougher and this one has many corners, which makes for a really lengthy race. On high of that it supplies tough circumstances, with the physicality and the humidity, and so on. So when it comes to focus, it is also essential to maintain your head cool till the tip.

“Truthfully, I actually really feel the entire lap is essential, there is no such thing as a one standout space that’s essentially the important thing. I imply, that complete first part of the observe, Flip 1, 2, 3, clearly as you decide to Flip 1 it then impacts the way in which you are going to do Flip 3, in order that complete part is essential.

“The part from Flip 10 is difficult, too. After that you simply get the chicane the place you go over the bridge after which after that you have the hairpin, the place you’re turning earlier than braking – that nook can be one which isn’t straightforward to nail. However they’re all fairly advanced, that is what I like about it.

“The entire corners are fairly totally different round this observe. Even like the fitting hander at Flip 5 is kind of excessive pace, it’s kind of bumpy – which isn’t good for our automotive – but it surely makes it very difficult.

“It is a road observe, so you have to take dangers – clearly measured dangers – but it surely undoubtedly will increase the adrenaline contained in the cockpit.

Gasly enjoys the very fact the Singapore circuit is a spot that calls for and rewards danger taking. Lionel Ng/Getty Photos

“All automobiles are totally different, however I believe the difficult factor relating to setup for us right here is the truth that it’s a compromise on experience versus downforce. For those who focus extra on experience, for instance, you lose the downforce or doubtlessly lose extra grip.

“So then it is sort of like looking for the place is the high quality line? You’ll be able to’t go too excessive on the experience and low cost the significance of nonetheless having a give attention to the aero, or vice versa. Tires round right here aren’t straightforward both.

“Usually, it is the kind of observe the place, with our package deal, I do know it isn’t going to really feel nice. However as a racing driver, you have to really feel snug in the long run. In order that’s undoubtedly going to be the important thing to the weekend.

“Truthfully, I like it. It is only a problem. It is a road observe, you are millimeters from the partitions, the requirement for precision actually pushes you bodily and mentally, particularly relating to retaining that focus.”

AT A GLANCERace distance: 62laps/190.3 miles2024 pole time: 1m29.525s (Lando Norris, McLaren-Mercedes)2024 winner: Lando Norris, McLaren-MercedesPirelli tire allotment: Pirelli has made no adjustments since final yr for the dry climate compounds on the Marina Bay circuit, with the C3 because the Onerous, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Delicate.