Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead for Scuderia in Singapore. Despite Carlos Sainz securing a significant victory for the Italian team at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2023, Ferrari’s performance at the recent street race in Baku was less impressive. According to Vasseur, Singapore will be a true ‘test’ for Ferrari, with the increased pit lane speed limit this year adding an extra variable.
An eighth and a ninth place. That was all that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could muster on the streets of Baku. The qualification round did not go well for Ferrari, with Hamilton – much to his own surprise – failing to make it to Q3, and Leclerc ending his session in the wall. Therefore, the focus within Scuderia now shifts to Singapore, a Grand Prix where Carlos Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in 2023.
The Singapore GP is known to be a challenging race – the combination of narrow streets and extreme weather conditions make the track treacherous – and team principal Frédéric Vasseur also labels the race as a real ‘test’. “Singapore is always one of the most demanding races of the year, both for the drivers and for the entire team in the pit lane and in the garage,” the Frenchman explains in the preview. “The layout of the circuit, the nocturnal conditions, and the likely deployment of the safety car make this Grand Prix a true test of concentration and adaptability.”
Increased Speed Limit in the Pit Lane
In an effort to encourage more varied strategies at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the FIA has decided to increase the maximum speed limit in the pit lane. This year, instead of the usual sixty kilometers per hour, drivers are allowed to drive at eighty km/h. “This year, there’s also the added variable of a higher speed limit in the pit lane, which could influence strategic choices,” agrees Vasseur, who is focusing not only on the race but also on the qualifications.
“As with most street circuits, the qualification will once again play a decisive role, and we will need to make the most of each session to secure the best possible starting positions,” continues the French team boss. “Our goal this weekend, as always, is to maximize potential, as we’ve seen in recent races that small details can make a big difference when it comes to the number of points you take home.” Ferrari is currently trailing Mercedes by four World Championship points in the constructors’ championship.
