2024 F1 Singapore GP: three questions for Ravin Jain, Head of Race Strategy at Ferrari. Ravin Jain answers three questions about the role of a strategy team in F1.

Ahead of the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Ravin Jain, Head of Race Strategy at Scuderia Ferrari F1, answers three questions about the role of a strategy team in Formula 1.

1. Tell us about the characteristics of the Singapore track.
Ravin Jain: “The Singapore circuit is unique for more than one reason. First of all, because it’s a street circuit. Grip increases over the weekend, and the drivers have to work wonders to find the limit between the walls. Also, the extremely high humidity makes the race very demanding for the drivers, as even the slightest lapse in concentration can cause an accident, and indeed we often see the Safety Car being deployed. From a setup perspective, the circuit features many low-speed corners, so teams must focus on traction and find high downforce solutions. Finally, Singapore is the night race par excellence, and this adds extra challenges for the drivers and teams because all the track sessions are held later in the day, with qualifying and the race taking place at night.”

2. How important is qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit?
Ravin Jain: “At Marina Bay, qualifying is particularly important because overtaking is very difficult. The driver who starts from pole position and manages to hold onto the lead has the great advantage of being able to control the pace and manage the gaps to those behind during the pit stop phase. In other words, the leader can choose to increase the pace and build enough of a gap to pit once the others have already stopped. That said, this year a fourth DRS zone has been introduced, which should make overtaking a bit easier. Despite this, it remains a circuit where qualifying plays a crucial role.”

3. How complex is the work of the strategy team in the current Formula 1 context, where the performance level of the top eight cars is very similar?
Ravin Jain: “In modern Formula 1, strategy is a complex system with many variables. Factors that may initially seem unrelated can actually have a great influence on one another. Therefore, it is essential to arrive at the track having done solid preparation and planning. We need to approach the weekend with a clear idea of what could happen in the race, while also extracting as much data as possible from the free practice sessions, especially if there are changes to the track. Another very important aspect is identifying who our main competitors will be during the race, particularly in a season like this, where a team’s competitiveness depends greatly on the specific circuit. All of this analysis culminates in our race strategy. Putting our plans into action and competing against the exceptionally brilliant minds on the other pit walls is an extraordinary and rewarding experience. And of course, it’s even more special when the strategy we’ve devised and implemented helps us win the race.”