Preview – 2014 Singapore Airlines Grand Prix
4th Round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, 19th to 21st September 2014
Hinwil, 12th September 2014 – After the last European race in Monza the Sauber F1 Team will travel to one of the season highlights in the Far East, the Singapore Grand Prix. The island of Singapore is again hosting the traditional night race, and the event will take place from the 19th to 21st September on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. This year, the 14th round of the FIA Formula One World Championship will be the second race held at night after the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Sauber F1 Team will introduce an aerodynamic update package, which includes a new engine cover and a modified front wing on the C33.
Esteban Gutiérrez (car number 21):
“I am looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix, as it is one of my favorite tracks. The fact that the race is hold at night brings a great atmosphere, which I really enjoy. Because of the high humidity, racing is a physical challenge there. I remember last year, not only when I was driving, but even more so when I finished the race, I noticed how much energy this climate consumed. Overall I have good memories from Singapore. In 2013 we had a good qualifying, and it was the first time I made it into Q3. In terms of track layout, I think the characteristics will suit the C33. We have been working intensely on the mechanical set-up of the car, which will be crucial on this circuit, as the track has many tight corners and only a few short straights. I am really looking forward to the weekend, and especially to geting the maximum out of the updates to the car we are having there. It is going to be an interesting race, and there is a realistic chance for a positive result.”
Adrian Sutil (car number 99):
“Driving on the track in Singapore is good fun, and, on top of that, it is a street circuit which I personally like a lot. The circuit has relatively short straights and 23 corners, which makes it the track with the most corners on the calendar. Sheer engine power is not crucial here; rather a high mechanical grip is important because of the many tight corners. Good stability of the car as well as high downforce will be essential, as the circuit has several kerbs and is quite bumpy in some places. I think we will have the best chance for a better result there. Moreover, the night race in Singapore is always special and offers the spectators a great backdrop. I am looking forward to the Asian trip; the Singapore Grand Prix is one of the season highlights.”
Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Head of Track Engineering:
“Considering that the Singapore track is one of those circuits which are less dependent on engine power, as well as the fact that we will be introducing an aerodynamic update package with a new engine cover and a modified front wing, the team is feeling quite positive about regrouping in Singapore. The night race on the street circuit is one of a kind; the track offers the typical engineering challenges of a street circuit with the need for mechanical grip, traction, stability and cooling on top of the job list. To the drivers it is unforgiving in places, it is therefore essential to provide them with a set-up they can fully trust. The show will benefit from Pirelli’s compound choice of soft and supersoft, and the safety car deployment rate of 100 percent in the races so far.”
Circuit |
Marina Bay Street Circuit / 5.065 km |
Race distance |
61 laps / 308.965 km |
Schedule |
Qualifying 21:00 hrs local time (15:00 CEST), Race 20:00 hrs local time (14:00 hrs CEST) |
Driver |
Esteban Gutiérrez |
Adrian Sutil |
Born |
05.08.1991 Monterrey (MX) |
11.01.1983 Starnberg (DE) |
Marital status |
In a relationship |
In a relationship |
Height / Weight |
1.80 m / 63 kg |
1.83 m / 75 kg |
First GP |
Melbourne 2013 |
Melbourne 2007 |
GP started |
32 |
122 |
Best race result |
7th Japan (2013) |
4th Monza (2009) |
Best qualifying |
9th Korea (2013) |
2nd Monza (2009) |
Points 2014 |
0 (currently 20th) |
0 (currently 17th) |
Points in total |
6 |
124 |
The Sauber F1 Team currently holds 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship. |
Schedule for the group interview sessions during the weekend:
Thursday:
16:30-16:40 – Esteban Gutiérrez – written media (Spanish)
16:40-16:50 – Esteban Gutiérrez – written media (English)
16:50-17:00 – Esteban Gutiérrez – TV (Spanish, then English)
16:30-16:40 – Adrian Sutil – TV (German, then English)
16:40-16:50 – Adrian Sutil – written media (German)
16:50-17:00 – Adrian Sutil – written media (English)
20:00-20:20 – Monisha Kaltenborn – written media (English, then German)
20:20-20:30 – Monisha Kaltenborn – TV
Friday:
23:00-23:10 – Esteban Gutiérrez – TV (Back of garage)
23:00-23:10 – Adrian Sutil – TV (Back of garage)
Saturday:
23:45-23:55 – Esteban Gutiérrez – written media (Spanish)
23:55-00:05 – Esteban Gutiérrez – written media (English)
00:05-00:15 – Esteban Gutiérrez – TV (Spanish, then English)
23:45-23:55 – Adrian Sutil – TV (German, then English)
23:55-00:05 – Adrian Sutil – written media (German)
00:05-00:15 – Adrian Sutil – written media (English)
Sunday:
After the race the drivers will be available in the mixed zone set up by the FIA.
Monisha Kaltenborn will be available in the team’s area.
Involvement in the FIA press conference means that the group interviews will be cancelled on the relevant day.