2012 Singaporean GP - Marina Bay

[raymondu999]

Or does Singapore still have hot track temp despite being at night?

Still hot, and very humid.

there is alot more space to take corners wider and thus carry more speed through it

I don't know the exact dimensions of corners and their radii at both circuits, but I am quite sure (based on my experiences to both circuits) that this isn't true. I could be wrong though. The eye has a way with deceiving people when it comes to dimensions and measurement.

McLaren will bring new updates to Singapore, Sam Michael said that earlier this season.

Pretty much everyone brings a specific package for Singapore IMO. It's just a little bit down on Monaco on downforce stakes (ie you pretty much run a Monaco package, minus a bit of downforce & drag)

[godlameroso]

If I recall correctly last year the cars were geared super short, topping out at like 175mph down the main straight, which is right in line with the speed the cars have coming out of the tunnel, so yes downforce is very important particularly because it's a bumpy street circuit. The car that makes the most downforce at 120-180kph will win this race, hands down. It could be a good place for Lotus to use the device, that is if it's main function is to increase downforce. Also the fact that they're using the soft and supersoft means that saving tires will be essential come the race, and despite what many think, passing is possible here. Trouble is the approach off line from the back straight is incredibly bumpy and makes the move all the more difficult to achieve. I hope they have two different DRS zones, this race could surely use it, preferably along the main and back straights

[FrukostScones]

The track temp in Singapore is never that high because the race takes place at night. It is usally about 2 degrees warmer than ait temp. Last year it was 31-33 when air temp was 30-31.
I would love to see a wet race! (Or is it too dangerous?)
Supersoft could hurt Raikkonen. (I blame his Monaco and Montreal performance on the Supersoft, legit or not )
If nothing strange happens I expect ALO,HAM,VET,GRO to fight for the win. But maybe we see surprises. Or a shock winner, and I don't mean Perez.

[Mika1]

Pretty much everyone brings a specific package for Singapore IMO. It's just a little bit down on Monaco on downforce stakes (ie you pretty much run a Monaco package, minus a bit of downforce & drag)

Maybe, maybe not . We will see.

I would love to see a wet race! (Or is it too dangerous?)

Too dangerous, the rain will reflect the light.

[Ral]

Lotus have said on several occasions that they won't be running their device in Singapore. First time they expect to run it is Suzuka, barring more drowned FP sessions.

[otbsti]

Judging by Monaco, McLaren don't stand a chance of having a good package around here.

McLaren's big updates came after Monaco, so I don't think that Monaco is a clear indicator of the cars current pace/capabilities.

[beelsebob]

Judging by Monaco, McLaren don't stand a chance of having a good package around here.

McLaren's big updates came after Monaco, so I don't think that Monaco is a clear indicator of the cars current pace/capabilities.

While that's true, and it might be that they've improved that department significantly, I don't hold out much hope – the reason I used Monaco as an example was because even relative to their old car, it was a poor race, which suggests rather that something about the overall design just does not like traction zone, stop start type tracks.

We'll see though

[NathanOlder]

I got a feeling McLaren will be stronger then Red bull. Hungary also was a typical Red Bull circuit last year, but that changed too. It also seems that the last couple of upgrade put McLaren with head and shoulders above everybody else

Judging by Monaco, McLaren don't stand a chance of having a good package around here.

True, But judging by Silverstone, Mclaren dont have a chance round Spa

[zyphro]

Could Mercedes be strong here? They have good traction and the lower track temperatures should suit them ? Or does Singapore still have hot track temp despite being at night?

It'll rest on the upgrade package they bring. They're set to test the coanda exhausts; which should help them here.

Brawn: "We think that's quite significant in low speed traction".

[beelsebob]

I got a feeling McLaren will be stronger then Red bull. Hungary also was a typical Red Bull circuit last year, but that changed too. It also seems that the last couple of upgrade put McLaren with head and shoulders above everybody else

Judging by Monaco, McLaren don't stand a chance of having a good package around here.

True, But judging by Silverstone, Mclaren dont have a chance round Spa

Only if Spa was wet.

[NathanOlder]

Both Races were dry ? Mclaren made no progress at Silverstone, Spa untouchable

[Shrieker]

I don't think Monaco is the most similar track to Singapore to be perfectly honest. Plenty of room to take wide sweeping lines in Singapore, whereas in Monaco it simply isn't possible. I think there is no track on the calendar that can be compared with Monaco. It's a unique place, so imho logical conclusions from that race (qualy) would not really be accurate. And when you factor in other things like upgrades and stuff it's anybody's guess. FWIW, I think McLaren and Red Bull will go head to head here, and Ferrari will join the party if their upgrades work to a certain extent out of the box.

Long story short; I have no idea who'll come out on top

[beelsebob]

I guess the other vaguely similar ish circuit that we've had *since* various upgrades has been Hungary. That would seem to suggest this'll be a straight McLaren/Lotus slug out, with RBR just hanging on to their coat tails.

[raymondu999]

Still don't think they're similar. The corners in Singapore are "sharper" than those in Hungary, and you'd need a stronger front at Singapore than you do at Hungary, and probably better braking and traction. Conversely in Hungary the amount of lateral you can carry through those corners are more crucial.

[FoxHound]

Still don't think they're similar. The corners in Singapore are "sharper" than those in Hungary, and you'd need a stronger front at Singapore than you do at Hungary, and probably better braking and traction. Conversely in Hungary the amount of lateral you can carry through those corners are more crucial.

Agree the tracks are different. Seems like Singapore is more point and squirt than Hungary which has less corners and more flowing nature.
For me the track surface and temps at night will also be a factor that is far different to that of the Hungaroring.