Full Throttle

Weather looks set to pose an additional challenge at Formula One’s first night race with forecasters predicting a good chance of rain ahead of this weekend’s inaugural Singapore Grand Prix.

Drivers and teams already have to contend with the difficulties of trying to acclimatise to the time difference, with many opting to remain on European time in order to stay fresh for the late finishes ahead.

Formula One’s governing body the FIA conducted a night test on the Indianapolis circuit in the United States last year, stressing they would only sanction a night race if it was completing safe.

However, a heavy downpour broke over Singapore yesterday, prompting concerns it could extend through to the weekend and affect visibility and performance on the street circuit.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton goes into the race with a one-point lead over Ferrari driver Felipe Massa after losing his appeal on Tuesday against his Belgian Grand Prix penalty.

Despite finishing seventh in Monza earlier this month, the 23-year-old usually impresses in the wet conditions having won at Silverstone and Monaco this year.

And Hamilton admits he is looking forward the challenge the race will present.

“I’ve never raced at night before, but I don’t think it is going to be a problem,” said Hamilton.

“It doesn’t seem to be a problem in other sports and there have been huge preparations for this, so I think it will be great.

“We are racing on another street circuit, which are a particular favourite of mine and from what I understand it sounds like it’ll be pretty spectacular.

Driving on a street circuit and with monsoon rain a threat, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa says a quick qualifying time will be crucial at the Singapore Grand Prix this week.

The Brazilian, just one point behind world championship leader Lewis Hamilton after the Briton lost his Belgian Grand Prix appeal on Tuesday, knows the overtaking opportunities will be limited.

“Saturday will be very important,” he said of the qualifying session that will be held at 10:00 pm with Singapore making history as the sport’s first-ever night race.

“I’ve never driven on the Singapore track but it’ll be even more difficult to overtake compared to Valencia, because the straights are even shorter,” the 26-year-old said.

Massa won in Valencia - another street circuit new to the calendar this year - after starting from pole position.

Singapore will have several overtaking possibilities, the best at the end of Raffles Boulevard and as the cars cross Esplanade Bridge and brake for the right-hander at the Theatres on the Bay.

But street circuits are notoriously difficult for overtaking and with the way cars are designed these days, with a heavy dependence on their wings to generate downforce and grip, it will be even harder.

“These days it is not very easy to overtake in Formula One, the cars have great aerodynamic downforce,” said Massa.

“When you are behind a car, you lose downforce.”

“I would prefer it to be dry in Singapore, but we can do well and have a consistent race in the wet as well,” he told the newspaper.

Massa’s chances of claiming the world championship received a big boost when Hamilton lost his appeal to have his win in Belgium reinstated after the FIA ruling body confirmed a 25-second sanction against him for cutting a chicane.

The confirmation of Hamilton’s demotion to third place means Massa claims the victory, slashing the Briton’s lead in the drivers’ championship to a single point.

Massa insisted he was only focused on the task ahead in Singapore.

“I’m concentrating on my season and my race here,” he said when asked about the appeal.

And in related, ahem….news:

Escort agencies in Singapore are preparing for their busiest weekend of the year as the Formula One roadshow rolls into town. Some agencies have reported an increase of a fifth in advance bookings as Max Mosley the high rollers prepare some entertainment for the weekend.

“This is the best weekend this year,” Prince Wong, owner of Singapore Escort Services, told The Straits Times newspaper (his parents really didn’t give him any choice but to become a pimp with a name like that!).

The newspaper also reported another agency was offering a “Singapore F1 GP Special offer” 50 per cent discount. Wong claimed foreigners working in the gas and banking industries were his best customers.

For those with an interest outside of NASCAR the Full Throttle Club has a Singapore GP Preview Video posted that you may find entertaining. Don’t miss the section on why woman will never drive in Formula One as demonstrated by former F1 driver Ricardo Patrese and his wife.

Related articles:

• Lewis Hamilton flies to Singapore with appeal fate in the balance
• Lewis Hamilton will relish rain in inaugural Singapore night race
• Felipe Massa intent on Singapore speed in bid to beat Lewis Hamilton