The Singapore Grand Prix will take place once again this Formula One season on 15-17 September 2017, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Singapore Grand Prix, which was the first night-time event in Formula One history. The Marina Bay street circuit provides drivers with a challenging race, but always makes for an incredible spectacle. First run in 2008, the race takes place at night and sees the cars run through downtown Singapore under floodlights. It is a breathtaking spectacle. But motor racing is not new to the city-state; there was a non-championship Singapore Grand Prix on the Thomson Road street circuit between 1961 and ’73.
The Marina Bay Circuit has the second-slowest average speed of the year, yet it is one of the toughest physical challenges for the drivers. The combination of 50-degree cockpit temperatures, 80 per cent humidity and a long lap with 23 corners results in them losing up to three kilos in sweat during the race.
Different weather conditions can result in very different races, and Formula 1 teams adapt their strategy accordingly, for example using different tyres in wet conditions, and taking account of cross winds which can cause stability problems at high speeds. The previous race, which took place at Monza, provided a good example of how crucial tyre performance and car set-up can be when facing wet conditions.
2017 Singapore Grand Prix weather forecast:
The latest weather forecast indicates a 70% possibility of rain on Friday, during the first two free practice sessions and a 60% chance of rain on Saturday, when the qualifying session takes place on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The race could also take place in wet conditions, as metoffice.gov.uk currently indicates 50 percent chance of precipitation on Sunday, which could make things very interesting in a crucial Grand Prix for Scuderia Ferrari‘s hopes of fighting for the 2017 Formula One title.
Here is a look at the timetable for the Singapore Grand Prix, the 14th race of the 2017 Formula One season:
Thursday 14th September
18:00: FIA Press conference
Friday 15th September
16:30 – 18:00: First free practice session
20:30 – 22:00: Second free practice session
22:30: FIA Press conference
Saturday 16th September
18:00 – 19:00: Third free practice session
19:55 – 20:50: Paddock pitlane walk
21:00 – 22:00: Qualifying
Sunday 17th September
18:30: Drivers’ Track Parade
18:45 – 19:15: Starting Grid Presentation
19:46: National Anthem
20:00 – 22:00: Singapore Grand Prix
Singapore GP Facts:
First held: 1966
Circuit length: 5.065 km (3.147 mi)
Race length: 308.828 km (191.897 mi)
Laps: 61
2016 winner: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
