Fred Vasseur pinpoints Ferrari target in Singapore amid 'circuit completely different to Monza'

The change in the layout of the Singapore circuit, a demanding street circuit for both drivers and cars, should play into Ferrari’s favor. Organizers have decided to introduce a radical change to the track, modifying the entire area from turn 16 to 19: two chicanes have been removed to create an additional straight section where overtaking should be possible.

With the alteration of the track, the circuit length has been reduced to 4,940 meters, resulting in one more lap to complete – 62 instead of 61 – but lap times are expected to decrease by 12-15 seconds, making an early race conclusion less likely.

Fred Vasseur, following Carlos Sainz’s podium and Charles Leclerc’s fourth place in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, hopes to continue the positive momentum of the Scuderia, even though Singapore resembles Hungary and the Netherlands more in terms of track characteristics, where the SF-23 struggled due to a lack of aerodynamic downforce.

“We’re back on track at a completely different circuit from Monza: the Marina Bay track indeed requires a high level of aerodynamic downforce, a car that’s particularly effective in traction, and a good balance to allow the drivers to have the right confidence between the walls.”

The French team principal believes that his drivers can make a difference in a race that demands a lot in terms of concentration and physical endurance…

“As it’s a street circuit, the driver in Singapore can make an even greater difference: we’ve prepared the race as best as we can on the simulator and will put Carlos and Charles in the best position to drive as much as possible, trying to maximize the potential of the SF-23. We’re coming from an exhilarating race in Monza, and we want to continue this positive trend and collect a good haul of points in Singapore.”

So, in Marina Bay, Ferrari won’t be conducting the setup experiments that characterized the start of the Zandvoort weekend, which we will still see in some of the upcoming world championship events. In Singapore, we will discover if the work done in developing the maximum aerodynamic downforce configuration will bear fruit…