Friday, 12 September 2014

Infiniti Red Bull Racing Singapore Grand Prix Preview

(Florent Gooden DPPI for Renault Sport F1)

Infiniti Red Bull Racing head to the Singapore Grand Prix next weekend hoping to secure their fourth victory of the season following a difficult race at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza where Daniel Ricciardo put in another fantastic performance to once again finish ahead of team mate and reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel with the pair finishing the race in 5th and 6th place after starting the race in 8th place (Vettel) and 9th (Ricciardo).

Speaking ahead of Singapore Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo who is currently in third place in the championship and in search of his fourth win of the year commented by saying:

'When you walk around on Thursday, the surface always looks pretty dirty. Modern street races like this tend to wash and scrub the track but even that doesn’t really change the fact that what you’re driving on is a public road with all the grit and grime and dirt that those have. It means you’re in for a slithery, bumpy weekend – which I love! The important thing in Singapore is to not get caught chasing the set-up on a Friday. 

The track is going to evolve, you’ve just got to be patient and let it happen without constantly tweaking your car, trying to hit a moving target. It’s one of those races where you’re never completely satisfied with the amount of preparation that you do.'

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel heads to the Singapore Grand Prix as defending race winner and Infiniti Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner believes that the German will be closer to his team mate in the final six Grand Prix of the season.

Last time out in Italy, Vettel had a different chassis however for the Singapore Grand Prix next weekend he will have a brand new RB10 chassis which the team will hope that he can challenge for the win in Singapore. Speaking ahead of the next weekend's race, Vettel said:

'I love to come to this amazing and also very clean city. The race track is a bumpy ride and you are being jogged around a lot in the driver’s seat. The circuit is fun but at the same time very challenging. You have to get close to your limits and risk a lot, in order to get the greatest efficiency out of your car. The toughest challenges in Singapore are the heat and the amount of turns. 

The chicanes are very difficult to drive and you barely get to catch your breath. Very important for a fast lap is the last turn before heading to the start finish line. 

There is an extremely high curb, which you should not hit otherwise the car lifts up. My greatest memories are the wins of 2011, 2012 and 2013, because I think it’s one of the toughest races of the year. It’s very long, there’s no space for mistakes and the race just seems to go on forever.'

The reigning world champions head to the Singapore street circuit in second place in the Constructors championship, 182 points behind championship leaders Mercedes.

© Ben Johnston 2014

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