Schumacher qualifying under lights for the first time at the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix - Photo Credit: Mercedes GP
Both Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg are hoping that the good results Mercedes have picked up over the last two races in Italy and Belgium can be replicated next weekend as Formula 1 heads for the fantastic night race in Singapore.
However, the high speed circuits of Monza and Spa-Francorchamps are quite different to the slow and twisty street circuit of the South-East Asian city but, with both drivers looking forward to their annual visit to Singapore, perhaps the team will be able to secured another good haul of points.
Schumacher had one of his messiest races of 2010 in Singapore last season, tangling with both Sauber‘s and having a hand in the retirement of Nick Heidfeld before finishing one lap down in thirteenth. However, the seven-time world champion enjoyed competing in his first F1 night race, and is confident of a better result this season.
“I really enjoyed my first experience of Formula One night racing in Singapore last year and it was an interesting weekend to be working on such a different time schedule,” said Schumacher. “Surprisingly, it worked out very well and somehow even fun to drive and have meetings in the middle of the night. The street circuit is good fun and quite challenging, and as an event for the fans, it is also fantastic as they can get so close to the cars around the city streets and see a real racing spectacle.
“We have enjoyed good results at the final two European races in Spa and Monza, and everyone will be working to continue the hard work and keep up the points finishes as we head to Asia for the flyaway races.”
Rosberg may well have gone on to finish fourth or fifth at Monza last weekend if he hadn’t been taken out of the race at the first corner by an out-of-control Vitantonio Liuzzi. He has stood on the podium at the Marina Bay circuit before, and is hopeful of doing well again next weekend.
“I'm really looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix and it's a circuit that I enjoy very much,” he said. “I finished second at the first race held here in 2008 so I have some good memories from that weekend. Singapore is a fantastic city and I always try to spend some extra time here with friends after the race.
“The track itself is good fun to drive and a real challenge. The stop-start nature means you have to concentrate hard throughout the lap and it feels very narrow and enclosed, like a true street circuit. We've made a good step forward with the car in the last few races and I hope we can take advantage of that again next weekend in Singapore.”
