Formula 1 is back on track in the first weekend of October and preparations are well underway at the Marina Bay street circuit, a track which is back on the calendar after two years of absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race will take place completely in the night (at 20:00 local time) with the drivers preparing to experience one of the toughest challenges of the 2022 Formula One season due to the very high heat and humidity.
Press conference – the comments of Carlos Sainz
Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz took part in Thursday’s press conference at the Marina Bay street circuit and was asked about the Maranello team’s prospects of fighting for victory in the Singapore Grand Prix, especially after Red Bull’s Sergio Perez pointed out that he expects the F1-75 car to be strong here: “If Red Bull believes that we will be competitive, imagine what we think of them. They have won the last five or six races … We think we can give them a hard time, especially in qualifying. We will try to give our best in qualifying and then try to achieve the best possible result in the race” – the Spaniard explained.
When asked about the possibility of ending the season with a battle against Mercedes for second place in the Constructors’ standings, Carlos Sainz added: “We will try to get back to winning races, and if we hit the target Mercedes will not be a worry. We always manage to qualify in the top-5 with both cars. We will just have to fix the race pace. In Monza the pace was better, we will have to try to do the same here as well. We have to concentrate on beating Red Bull whenever we can and if we do that, it will also solve the battle with Mercedes in the championship” – he added.
On the challenges of Marina Bay …
The Singapore race is defined by the drivers as the toughest race of the Formula One season and Carlos Sainz can only confirm this: “For me it’s a simple weekend, I’ve never struggled here!”. Carlos Sainz joked with Gasly who abruptly replied: “Look at what a physique he has!”.
“On a more serious note – continued Carlos – I remember that in 2015/2016 I warned Pierre and Charles of the difficulties they would encounter, but they seemed not to want to believe me at first. This circuit is a kind of oven for all of us. It is difficult to keep constant attention and remain focused. Staying focused for two hours always looking for those two / three tenths is complicated. With vibrations, it’s hard to keep your eyes still. When I train during the winter break I always think of Singapore, because if you are ready to take on Marina Bay, then you are ready for anything.”
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“I don’t think there is a secret to being competitive here, but it remains a great track to race on. The weather can always play an important role, it could rain. From a physical and mental point of view it is one of the toughest races of the season also due to the presence of the many bumps. With such rigid cars, the challenge could be even more complex, ”he concluded.
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