Williams Martini Racing’s Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds says this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix is a completely different challenge to what the team faced last time out in Italy, with mechanical grip and high downforce required at the Marina Bay street circuit.
Symonds believes the twisty circuit could bring some good points to the Grove-based team as they battle Sahara Force India for fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a position they reclaimed in Italy when Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa finished sixth and ninth respectively.
“The move from Monza to Singapore is one of extremes, going from the lowest downforce and drag circuit of the season to a street circuit where emphasis is on high downforce and good mechanical grip,” said Symonds.
“Singapore presents many unique challenges, not least of which being that it is a night race. It does however, also bring some advantages; being so close to the equator we can quite accurately predict the ambient and track temperatures.
“The circuit puts a premium on low-speed grip and traction. It also has a high braking demand with certain areas requiring good ride to maintain mechanical grip.
“It’s a circuit we have performed reasonably well on in recent years, so we look forward to collecting some strong points as we continue our championship battle.”
