Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
2010 Qualifying - 1st, 2010 Race - 1st
“Singapore is a special event for me. It’s one of the races that I like the most for the lively atmosphere and for the characteristics of the circuit. It certainly has much in common with Monaco but the fact that you run at night coupled with the extended length of the track compared to the one in the Principality make this Grand Prix unique. I have always managed to make the podium in the three previous editions and my objective is to make it four out of four. A third victory to go with those of 2008 and last year would clearly be fantastic but I know that it will be very hard. At Monaco we certainly came very close to victory - without the final red flag I think I would have had an excellent chance to overtake Sebastian - but it’s also true that you can’t always guarantee that things go the same way. What is certain is that we will give everything: I think we have the chance to do well as long as we get the best out of every aspect: tyres, set-up, engine, teamwork, everything has to be at 100 percent. From Friday we begin on the track: we hope to repeat the weekend of 2010 and thus to present another victory to the Prancing Horse and to all our fans. That is our target, one that will remain for all the coming races.”
Felipe Massa, Ferrari
2010 Qualifying - 24th, 2010 Race - 8th
“For Singapore, Pirelli is supplying the soft and super-soft compounds, which definitely suit the characteristics of our car better than the harder tyres and if we had a free choice, these would definitely be the ones we would go for. But tyre choice is only one element of the car package and we will have to work hard if we are going to make the most of any advantage we might have at this race. It’s true our car was okay at the Monaco street circuit, so we can go to Singapore in reasonably optimistic frame of mind. We have been to Singapore three times now, so we know what to expect and the fact the race takes place at night is no longer a concern. The track is very well lit and visibility is not a problem. Rather than the light, it is the heat that makes this a tough event, one of the toughest races on the calendar. It is very hot and humid, even with the race beginning at eight in the evening and the Singapore race is the longest of the season: I think last year it lasted a couple of minutes less than the full two hours, which is not so easy to deal with physically. I have taken that into consideration and have been training hard for this weekend.”
Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2010 Qualifying - 3rd, 2010 Race - DNF
“I love street circuits and I really enjoy this place - it’s almost two tracks in one: there are quite a few fast corners, which require good set-up and a bit of commitment, but there are also lots of tighter 90-degree bends, which are slower and more technical. You’ve got to keep it precise through these and just be patient, waiting for the tyres to bite before getting on the throttle. If you’re impatient, then you end up losing time because you over-stress the tyres and you over-drive the car. Still, I’ll really be pushing for a good result next weekend. I think we had a car capable of winning in both Belgium and Italy, so I really want to make sure we arrive in Singapore with a good set-up, and that we’re able to run with it through practice and qualifying. If it all goes to plan, we should be in good shape on Sunday. Even though the title is now almost out of reach I’ll be pushing hard for the best possible result. I will never give up and I’ll be driving to win as always.”
Jenson Button, McLaren
2010 Qualifying - 4th, 2010 Race - 4th
“This is one of the races I’d most love to win and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to show the same sort of pace that we showed at Monaco and Hungary, where I had two of my best drives of the year. It’s strange to have concluded the European season and still have six more races remaining. Personally, I love this end-of-year series of flyaway races - the circuits we visit are really diverse and, from a drivers’ perspective, they’re some of the best tracks on the calendar. I flew out to Singapore via Japan, so I’ve had the chance to spend a few days getting myself ready. Of course, for Singapore, we’ll revert to the slightly unusual European timetable to ensure that we’re as fit, alert and focused for the night race as we would be for any other Grand Prix. Given our current form, I’m positive that Singapore will be another strong race for us. I’ve been really satisfied with the pace of the car and the efforts of the team. Nevertheless, winning is what we’re all about and that’s what we’ll definitely be aiming for this weekend.”
Michael Schumacher, Mercedes
2010 Qualifying - 9th, 2010 Race - 13th
“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. 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.”
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2010 Qualifying - 7th, 2010 Race - 5th
“I’m really looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix and it’s a circuit that I enjoy very much. 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.”
Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2010 Qualifying - 2nd, 2010 Race - 2nd
“We’ve had some good races in Singapore in the past, especially last year when we finished second, just behind Fernando. I love the track, it’s very challenging; there are a lot of corners, it’s very long, it’s hot and it’s a night race, so there are a lot of special things about Singapore. The car seems to be very competitive there, so I hope we can go back there this year and win – it would be very special. Looking to the Championship, there is still some way to go. We are in a very strong position, which we deserve because we’ve been working hard and made few mistakes. As long as we come out of the next race with a bigger lead then we start with, then we have done a good job, so let’s see.”
Mark Webber, Red Bull
2010 Qualifying - 5th, 2010 Race - 3rd
“The Singapore night race is a challenging one. The track’s bumpy and although the 1500-odd lights do a good job at illuminating the circuit, it’s not like racing in daylight and that makes it tiring. It’s also the longest race of the year, running close to the two-hour time-limit set by the FIA, and the intense heat and humidity makes it pretty warm in the cockpit. You have to watch your hydration during the build-up to the race. I finished third at the Marina Bay circuit last year, but the track hasn’t been that kind to me in the past. I enjoy driving there, so I hope to nail it this year in much the same way that I nailed Valencia earlier this season. In the championship, four of us - me, Fernando (Alonso), Jenson (Button) and Lewis (Hamilton) - are separated by just 14 points and none of us is going to give an inch.”