Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director, previews the next round of the 2022 Formula 1 season, the Singapore Grand Prix, which takes place over 61 laps at the 5.063-kilometre Marina Bay Street Circuit:
“We’ve missed the spectacular night action of Singapore’s streets! With 18-inch tyres that have a completely different compound and structure compared to the ones used three years ago – as well as new asphalt this year – it’s almost like a totally new race. Singapore is all about slow corners – all 23 of them – and maximising traction. We’ve got the three softest compounds for maximum speed and grip but looking after the rear tyres in order to ensure the drive needed will be key. With the tendency of the latest cars to understeer, it will be even more important to find the right set-up balance to ensure a strong front end without compromising acceleration at the rear.” – Mario Isola explained, as reported by Pirelli’s official website.
THE TYRES ON TRACK
The three softest compounds have been chosen for Singapore (for the first time since Austria): the P Zero White hard is the C3, the P Zero Yellow medium is the C4, and the P Zero Red soft is the C5. These compounds have been chosen to match the typical street circuit characteristics of the Marina Bay track, ensuring high levels of mechanical grip.
There’s some new asphalt for Singapore this year, laid by Italian firm Dromo. This isn’t as smooth as the asphalt usually seen on street circuits, having been put down with a view to the grand prix. However, as a street circuit, the Marina Bay circuit is used by normal road traffic most of the time – and the surface contains street furniture such as white lines and manhole covers. A high degree of track evolution is expected; also because there are not many support races scheduled, which help to lay down rubber.
With the race starting at 8pm local time (GMT +8) and continuing for about two hours, track temperatures are generally stable for most of the event on Sunday, while high humidity levels as always represent a huge physical challenge for all drivers, the cars and also for the tyres, taking into consideration the thermal degradation.
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