Charles Leclerc is hopeful that Ferrari can take advantage of the high temperatures at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore this weekend. According to the Monegasque, the SF-25 performs better in warm conditions, unlike competitors such as Mercedes, who excel in colder weather.
Formula 1 is heading to the Singapore GP this week, a circuit known for its tropical weather conditions. “It’s definitely going to be hot – that’s for sure,” Leclerc anticipates the race weekend in Singapore, speaking to the media in Baku. And that’s an advantage for the SF-25. “I think our car struggles when it’s cold.”
During previous race weekends, such as in Azerbaijan, Leclerc saw how teams like Mercedes and Williams benefited from lower temperatures. “We’ve seen that Mercedes is very strong when it’s cold,” he explains. “In the qualifying in Baku, they were one of the few teams that really got the medium tire working in Q3 – along with Williams, by the way. Both cars are very strong in cool conditions.”
Tropical Advantage
For Ferrari, the heat in Singapore could make the difference. Leclerc believes that the car performs better under hot conditions, both in terms of tire temperature and balance. “We are stronger in warm conditions. So I really hope that Singapore gives us an advantage in that respect,” says Leclerc.
Ferrari is currently fighting for second place in the constructors’ championship, and every points finish could be crucial in the battle with Red Bull and Mercedes. With the tropical heat, the technical nature of the street circuit, and the demanding nature of the track, Singapore seems on paper at least to be a circuit that should suit Ferrari. If the warm conditions make the difference, this could be the weekend that Leclerc has been hoping for a long time.
