Nick Heidfeld says he’s looking forward to getting back to racing in next week’s Singapore Grand Prix.
But he hopes the race organisers have eased the street track’s notorious bumps:
Two years ago this race immediately became one of my favourites. Even for a city circuit it is quite demanding. It will be interesting to see how the situation with the bumps has developed. In this regard, the track got worse from 2008 to 2009 and it was said this would be sorted out.
The atmosphere at this night race is simply massive. Of course I can hardly imagine how the circuit will suit the car as I haven’t driven it yet, but according to everything I saw and from what I have heard, the performance should be better in Singapore compared to Monza.
Another positive thing is we found out I probably can use my seat from last year. This does not only save a lot of work, but it also gives me a good feeling because it was a very good seat and normally you have to do a lot of fine tuning until it fits that well.
Nick Heidfeld
Team mate Kamui Kobayashi is making his debut at Singapore:
I have never raced in Singapore, but I know the track from the simulator. The last two years I attended the Grand Prix as a reserve driver for Toyota, so I had a look around Singapore and the track.
It is quite a long track for one in a city. The atmosphere at that race is just great. I’m sure for spectators this is one of the best events on the calendar.
I have only driven in a night race once, and this was in Qatar in February 2009 in GP2. I finished fourth but what I remember most is a terrible sandstorm!
Kamui Kobayashi
Sauber are one of several teams bringing a development package this weekend as technical director James Key explains:
For the car we have quite a large aerodynamic update with a new front wing, a new diffuser and various other parts around the car. We hope the new package works as planned and then we shall see how we go.
James Key
2010 Singapore Grand Prix
Steph (@)
17th September 2010, 14:16
“Two years ago this race immediately became one of my favourites”
I hope that isn’t PR but the fact he says “favourites” rather than “for sure it is fantastic” gives me hope. I love this track.
I can’t imagine the stress the drivers are under with the heat, the concentration demands and the bumps but I really hope they keep the bumps. The bumps mean pretty sparks and give the circuit some more character and it’s great to see the car and driver being worked so hard.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
17th September 2010, 14:23
Man up, Nick!
Bumps give a circuit character. We don’t want to see twenty races where the surface is as flat as the proverbial billiards table. It might be uncomfortable for them, but bumps add an extra layer of challenge to a circuit.
Steph (@)
17th September 2010, 14:26
I never thought I’d say this but when it comes to Nick Heidfeld I actually agree with you! ;)
miguelF1O (@)
19th September 2010, 13:25
you think that bumps make drivers make mistakes maybe but after they know the bumps and have a nice set up is not that bad last year there werent that many spins or mistakes and the bumps make drivers be more cautions on ovetaking and following each other
Chalky
17th September 2010, 14:54
Singapore and Heidfeld. Unless I’m mistaken it’s the track that stopped the endless statistic of consecutive finishes for him and it’s his favourite?
Well here you go Nick, off to beat your consecutive finish record is on…..
:)
Steph (@)
17th September 2010, 14:57
You’re spot on Chalky. Well, it’s the track where his stat ended but more Sutil who ended it :P
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
17th September 2010, 22:37
When you look at that terrible piece of driving by Sutil here last year, and how he’s been going this year (Monza excepted), it’s like looking at two different drivers. I’ve been seriously impressed with Sutil this year.
BasCB
17th September 2010, 15:19
And still he likes it, so it must be a real challenge to drive.
He must be feeling good if only because he will be racing again.
DaveW
17th September 2010, 16:29
I know Whitmarsh is calling the public works department to inquire about the road work schedule. It was like a rally stage last year, and the McLaren does not like that kind of thing.
wasiF1
17th September 2010, 16:52
What Sauber can do now is to use the experience of Heidfeld & Kobayashi to develope 2011 car from now on.
George (@george)
17th September 2010, 17:55
Has there ever been a wet session at Singapore? I imagine it would be quite difficult with the light shining off the water on your visor.
daykind
18th September 2010, 12:06
It would really make for some interesting and troublesome drivng.
Steezy
17th September 2010, 17:57
I like this track, however I think it does look quite ugly at night time. I don’t care about what time I have to watch it, I’d rather have it during the day where you can actually see everything. The foliage and such.
It’s nice and unique having a night race, but there’s so much lighting for the track it sort of kills everything else.
They should think about, one day, running the event during the day. Just for the sake of change and experimentation.
be.on.edge
18th September 2010, 5:18
No, there has not yet been a wet session. Hopefully we get some rain this year… It has been raining quite a bit this week so here’s hoping…
kyle Benji
18th September 2010, 13:51
i hate the singapore track its a bunch of 90 degree corners. plus at night you cant see any of the scenery around singapore, that race would be so much better during the daytime.
wong chin kong
18th September 2010, 13:53
Why should Nick be worried about bumps? This Singapore GP is on street circuit with very tight corners under night spotlights and that should give the racing a special flavour. Furthermore, the bumps should not cause you to crash unless you do a “Piquet”.
Sutil.M
18th September 2010, 20:55
Yeh it will daykind should be interesting
Gill
19th September 2010, 6:41
I am not getting a reason, why Mclaren doesnt like bumps. I think why people saying this is because of their performance in slow circuits like Monaco and Hungary which were slow but not bumpy by any reason.
Is this because they lack the extra downforce in the corners or due to the rigidity of the car ?
Zayan
28th September 2010, 12:32
Singapore is a true street-circuit, not that Valencia crap (which is probably smoother than a billiard table!)