Heat, humidity, and the long-haul challenges ahead. Team Principal Mike Krack reflects on Baku, talks about Singapore, and the flying tiger that is Fernando Alonso.
The European leg of the 2024 F1 calendar is firmly in the rear-view mirror and we're into the real flyaways now until the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi. There's going to be a lot of time spent on aeroplanes over the next few months as championship places are decided. The pressure is on, tiredness takes a toll, and mistakes can be made – which also means there are opportunities. Last week, Team Principal Mike Krack mentioned this is the sort of thing that happens in Baku – but that goes double for Singapore.
This is Mike on…
The long haul
"We got into Singapore at 08:00 on Tuesday, direct from Baku. It's one of those where there isn't really an opportunity to get back to the AMR Technology Campus. If you hustle, you could get home at midnight on Sunday from Baku, have Monday in the office at Silverstone, head out to Singapore on Tuesday to arrive on Wednesday – but that's probably not the smartest approach.
"The flyaway back-to-back of Baku and Singapore is the 'taster'. After this weekend, we have a couple of weeks without a race then two triple-headers. It's the time of year when the team is working hard to make sure everyone stays fit and healthy."
Opportunity
"This is our second street race in a row, and I think Singapore is even tougher than Azerbaijan. There are plenty of reasons for that but the one that keeps drawing your attention is the climate. It's very hot; it's very humid; it's very hard. It all adds to the challenge. The race usually runs for the full two hours, which is tough for the drivers, and while there are some surprisingly high speeds, there isn't the time to relax like there is on the 2km straight in Baku.
"Drivers will get tired, they will lose focus, and if our drivers are fitter and less distracted, that becomes an opportunity. At this time of year though, it isn't the only opportunity. Both championships are live and will likely to go down to the very end of the season. It means some teams will be reducing the risks they're prepared to take, while other teams will be prepared to risk everything.
"I think we saw that in the Pérez-Sainz crash in Baku – they were both very determined to finish ahead. All through that race we were encouraging Lance and Fernando by saying something was likely to happen, presenting opportunities with Safety Cars. It'll be the same in Singapore this weekend."
Baku
"I think we maximised whatever we could in Baku. Lance was unlucky to have his race effectively ended with a puncture after a couple of corners, especially after making a strong start and quickly climbing two places. He kept going, and the data he provided from his first Hard tyre stint was useful to allow Fernando to get the most out of his stint later on – great teamwork. As for Fernando, I think that was one of the strongest races I've seen from him – which is saying something.
"He took an insane level of risk to get the car into Q3, which we never expected. His sector times were incredible and starting seventh was a performance beyond the capabilities of the car. He drove a conservative Grand Prix because we had struggled on the long runs in practice, but at the end of the race, when it mattered most, he'd done a good enough job earlier in the run to have enough left in the tyres to stay ahead of the quicker cars chasing him. He had a little bit of luck to finish sixth, with two cars crashing ahead, but he earned that luck by putting in a massive performance.
"Of course, it's not just Fernando: the pitstop was good; the strategy calls were good; the team gave him a reliable car. It all matters, it's all vital – but really, what a drive. The tiger came out."
F1 Academy
"F1 Academy is back in action this weekend. For our driver, Tina Hausmann, the goal has to be to maximise the sessions: finish every one and try to learn as much as possible. F1 Academy raced in Miami, so this isn't an entirely new experience but it is a step up. If you go off, it hurts, or it's a car rebuild, or session over. I hope Tina takes a conservative approach – but also gets close to the walls and explores the limits!
"It's a real test for these drivers. The temperatures are higher as well because F1 Academy takes to the track before us, during the afternoons – but Tina has been doing plenty of heat acclimation training and she's ready for the unique challenge of Singapore."
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