Formula 1
Singapore GP: Force India Friday practice report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/06): FP1: 17th 1:48.839 (24 laps) FP2: 20th 1:48.311 (36 laps) Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05): FP1: 18th 1:48.906 (25 laps) FP2: 17th 1:47.965 (12 laps) Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella made history ...
Published: Sep 27, 2008, 8:39 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/06):
FP1: 17th 1:48.839 (24 laps)
FP2: 20th 1:48.311 (36 laps)
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05):
FP1: 18th 1:48.906 (25 laps)
FP2: 17th 1:47.965 (12 laps)
Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella made history as the first F1 driver to drive the stunning new Marina Bay street circuit in the island nation of Singapore . Taking to the track for the opening practice session - run under the glare of thousands of floodlights lining the sides of the circuit - the Italian also became the first driver to run during the hours of darkness.
The 5.067km circuit was given a resounding thumbs up by Giancarlo and team-mate Adrian Sutil. Although extremely bumpy and initially very 'green', the challenge of the 23-turn course proved an exciting one for the duo. Giancarlo and Adrian completed 25 and 24 laps respectively in the opening practice to maximise mileage on the new track and evaluate set-up and tyre options for the weekend. Unfortunately Giancarlo's learning curve was then halted early on in the second session with a gearbox problem, which only allowed him to complete 12 laps.
A final one hour practice session will take place at 19:00hrs tomorrow evening before qualifying begins at 22:00hrs.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'It's a really beautiful circuit here and a great place to visit. It's a very physical track as the humidity is so high - it's very much like Malaysia in that respect.There were also several bumps, probably more than at any other circuit, and sometimes it actually hurt when I was driving, particularly my legs as they crashed into the monocoque over some bumps. The whole race will be really hard. There's not very much room for error here, the walls are very close so you need to be very careful not to get too much oversteer on the exit. I really enjoyed it today.'
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21)
'I feel very positive about the new circuit. It is very challenging and difficult to learn and especially to feel confident. It's a very physical circuit, very twisty, and it's hot and humid so I think it will be tough on Sunday. It's interesting to run at night. It doesn't make that much difference for us to be honest on the track, but it's a different routine and having a free morning and then practice at 7pm was really good. Today was generally OK, apart from the gearbox problem we had on the first run in the second session, but not too bad a start for the weekend.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'Congratulations to the circuit and the city for putting on such a fantastic venue. It was a very interesting first day. Obviously the circuit was new and dirty but rubbered in during the day. The drivers had no real problems in the first session, but unfortunately Giancarlo's car developed a gearbox problem in the second practice and he had to stop early. Adrian was able to complete his full programme of tyre and set-up evaluation and overall we have lots of data for tomorrow.'
-credit: force india
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Singapore GP: Practice 2 times
Next article Singapore GP: Williams Friday practice report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Giancarlo Fisichella
Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?
How Jordan took its last F1 victory on this day in 2003
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
How Jordan took its last F1 victory on this day in 2003
On this day in 2005: Kimi Raikkonen’s Suzuka masterclass
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
On this day in 2005: Kimi Raikkonen’s Suzuka masterclass
More from
Force India
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Formula 1
Formula 1
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Latest news
Aprilia: “Marco Bezzecchi couldn’t avoid the collision; Marc Marquez moved in on him"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
19 min
Aprilia: “Marco Bezzecchi couldn’t avoid the collision; Marc Marquez moved in on him"
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
How Max Verstappen beat Red Bull's own simulation tools with P2 in Brazil
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
How Max Verstappen beat Red Bull's own simulation tools with P2 in Brazil
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe