(Sauber F1 Team)
The Formula One circus heads to Singapore next weekend for the first of the final six flyaway Grand Prix of the 2014 season. The Sauber F1 Team go there with the sole aim of scoring the first points of the 2014 season after an extremely disappointing season so far for the Swiss based outfit who are currently in 10th place in the Constructors championship.
Last time out at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza the team endured another difficult race as Adrian Sutil finished the race in 15th place one lap down after starting the race from 14th place while team mate Esteban Gutierrez finished the race in 20th place, 2 laps down having started the race from 15th place.
Last season, Nico Hulkenberg finished the race in 9th place giving the team two points so they will be hoping that Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil will be in a position to score some valuable points for the team. It has been a busy week for the outfit as they announced that their test and reserve driver Sergey Siroktin will drive for the team in Free Practice one at the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in Sochi in October.
Speaking about the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, Esteban Gutierrez commented:
'I am looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix, as it is one of my favorite tracks. The fact that the race is hold at night brings a great atmosphere, which I really enjoy. Because of the high humidity, racing is a physical challenge there. I remember last year, not only when I was driving, but even more so when I finished the race, I noticed how much energy this climate consumed.
Overall I have good memories from Singapore. In 2013 we had a good qualifying, and it was the first time I made it into Q3. In terms of track layout, I think the characteristics will suit the C33.
We have been working intensely on the mechanical set-up of the car, which will be crucial on this circuit, as the track has many tight corners and only a few short straights. I am really looking forward to the weekend, and especially to getting the maximum out of the updates to the car we are having there. It is going to be an interesting race, and there is a realistic chance for a positive result.'
Adrian Sutil will be hoping that he can challenge for a points scoring finish in Singapore where last season the German, who was then driving for the Sahara Force India F1 Team finished the race in 10th place to secure one point for the Silverstone based outfit. Speaking ahead of the race next weekend he commented:
'Driving on the track in Singapore is good fun, and, on top of that, it is a street circuit which I personally like a lot. The circuit has relatively short straights and 23 corners, which makes it the track with the most corners on the calendar. Sheer engine power is not crucial here; rather a high mechanical grip is important because of the many tight corners.
Good stability of the car as well as high downforce will be essential, as the circuit has several kerbs and is quite bumpy in some places. I think we will have the best chance for a better result there. Moreover, the night race in Singapore is always special and offers the spectators a great backdrop. I am looking forward to the Asian trip; the Singapore Grand Prix is one of the season highlights.'
The Swiss outfit will be bringing some updates for C33 and speaking about the new modifications Sauber's Head of Track Engineering Giampaolo Dall'Ara commented:
'Considering that the Singapore track is one of those circuits which are less dependent on engine power, as well as the fact that we will be introducing an aerodynamic update package with a new engine cover and a modified front wing, the team is feeling quite positive about regrouping in Singapore.
The night race on the street circuit is one of a kind; the track offers the typical engineering challenges of a street circuit with the need for mechanical grip, traction, stability and cooling on top of the job list. To the drivers it is unforgiving in places, it is therefore essential to provide them with a set-up they can fully trust. The show will benefit from Pirelli’s compound choice of soft and supersoft, and the safety car deployment rate of 100 percent in the races so far.'
© Ben Johnston 2014
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