Post by v/\v on Sept 26, 2008 6:22:15 GMT -5
Drivers uneasy as storm hits Singapore
Eurosport - Fri, 26 Sep 11:46:00 2008
Storm drains and guttering gushed while rivers of rain water ran down Singapore's streets on Friday as storms lashed the city-state, doing little to ease Formula One drivers' concerns before the night race.
The first practice session for the sport's inaugural floodlit grand prix is due to take place at 1900 local time (1200 BST) later on Friday.
Meteorologists had predicted a 50 percent chance of rain over the weekend and thunderstorms are now expected according to Singapore's National Environment Agency.
Drivers have already voiced concern about the combination of rain, floodlights and an untested street circuit.
"I think the biggest thing really is if we have a downpour and knowing what it's going to be like in the spray with the light refracting through the water," Red Bull driver David Coulthard said.
"We don't know how much it's going to hang in the air, so that would be the most difficult thing I think."
Sauber's Nick Heidfeld (pictured) echoed Coulthard's thoughts. "I would have welcomed the chance to test on the track, especially in the rain," he told reporters.
"Rain combined with the artificial light is the great unknown for me with this race.
"The climate should be similar to that in nearby Kuala Lumpur, and -- from experience -- it rains frequently there, especially in the early evening."
Heidfeld's team-mate Robert Kubica added: "There are still some question marks regarding weather conditions and, related to the chance of rain, the light situation.
"I am sure the (sport's governing body) FIA have done everything to make it a safe race."
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has said he would rather the race be in the dry, saying that would make things "easier".
But the Briton, who leads the drivers' standings by one point from Ferrari's Felipe Massa with four races to go, has not expressed any anxiety about the expected rain.
His chief executive at McLaren Martin Whitmarsh is less blasé about the problems rain poses, however.
"If it rains, there is the unknown of whether there will be a problem with glare or the sparkle of light from droplets of rain that is greater than you would ordinarily get," he said.
"To manage this we are using coatings for the visors that won't allow droplets to collect."
Williams's Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima also acknowledged the difficulties the tropical conditions could pose.
"We've been doing quite a bit of work in our simulator in preparation for this race and it looks like Singapore could be quite a complex circuit with lots of corners, but it should still suit our car," he said.
"I don't think driving at night will be a problem if it's dry but, if it's wet which it looks like it will be, it could be quite difficult with the reflection."
A local race official said the situation was in hand.
"We are definitely monitoring the situation," one Singapore GP official said, referring to the flash floods on the island.
He added that the race director would make an assessment closer to the start of practice to decide whether it would be safe to proceed.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has expressed concerns over the effects bumps at one of the turns might have at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.
The Spaniard is worried cars may suffer damage at a tight chicane on Turn 10 on the Marina Bay street circuit, which hosts the first night race in Formula One history.
The FIA are investigating the problem but Alonso believes it will be difficult to rectify the issue in time for today's first practice session.
"It is not the best solution they could find I think," he said.
"We worry that if we miss the chicane you miss the line and have to go over the curves.
"It could damage the chassis or the damage the car at the bottom. If you damage one car its not a problem as you can take the T-car but if you damage two you go home.
"It is a concern at the moment but I don't know what is a better solution and I don't know if they are able to do it quickly."
Like the majority of drivers, Alonso is operating on European time while in Singapore to ensure he is at his peak during the evenings.
Aside from filling his time watching films since arriving in the city-state on Wednesday, the 27-year-old has walked the circuit to ensure he faces no surprises this weekend.
"It is not difficult to keep to European times," added Alonso. "I have watched films until three and then slept before waking at one in the afternoon.
"At a new circuit the first lap you walk with the team is very important as you assess the corners and try to guess what speed will be needed at that corner, where will be the breaking point and which gear you will use.
"It takes a bit longer on a new circuit than a normal lap on one you know already but it was interesting because our simulations were a little different to how it was in reality."
Alonso also expects overtaking will be almost impossible this weekend, meaning qualifying will be even more crucial in deciding the outcome of Sunday's race.
"It will be exactly the same as Monaco," he said. "On this circuit I really see no way of overtaking."
_____________________________________________
Buckle you're seatbelts, let's hope for rain as like Nando says above overtaking may be sparse.
I'm predicting in the dry whoever is on pole will win, in the wet, who knows but it's between Lewis & Vettel only, the others are nowhere near as quick as those two in rain.
