This year's Singapore Grand Prix will feature a new layout as redevelopment works take place in the vicinity of the track.
Announced in 2007 and held in 2008, the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix represented the first night race and first Asian street race in Formula One history. Staged on 5.063 kilometres of public roads around the Marina Bay area, the circuit utilises powerful lighting systems to replicate daylight conditions and the most stringent safety protocols ensure driver and spectator safety.
A feature unique to this race, the night schedule of the Singapore Grand Prix coincides with more regular Formula One running hours in Europe. Not only does this allow fans both on-site and across the world to enjoy the spectacle, but it also eliminates the effect of jet lag for teams and drivers involved in the event.
The circuit between what was Turns 16 to 19 will now become one long 397.9m straight, reducing the number of corners from 23 down to 19.
The circuit length has therefore reduced from 5.063 km to 4.928 km and the number of laps of the Grand Prix increased from 61 to 62.
Lap times are expected to be reduced by roughly 10 seconds due to the changes.
The new layout will likely be beneficial for the tyres; previously, they would begin to overheat towards the end of the lap, but the removal of four 90-degree corners should help them stay closer to the optimum operating window.
Track evolution is incredibly high in Singapore, given that it is a street circuit. The surface can ramp up by as much as three seconds between FP1 on Friday and Qualifying on Saturday evening.
That stop/start nature, with a requirement for constant re-acceleration, ensures the circuit has the biggest fuel effect of the year. In simple terms, that means the amount of time you lose each lap is higher for every kilogram of extra fuel in the car.
The lack of long straights and short distance between turns also puts less air through the brakes. Cooling is therefore a big focus for the team.
Given the nature of a street track, it is perhaps no surprise that all 13 of the previous Singapore Grands Prix have featured at least one Safety Car deployment.
The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the most physically demanding races of the season. The intense humidity, warm temperatures, combined with the stop/start nature of the track, make it very challenging and drivers can lose around 3kg of weight during the race through sweating alone.
The battle with our nearest competitors is incredibly close. It's hard to predict just how the order will shake out each weekend. Nonetheless, we typically perform better on high downforce tracks, so we're hopeful of a competitive showing.
Toto Wolff