Zoom Wet qualifying and race this week-end?

Rain is a very real possibility this weekend for F1's first-ever floodlit night race on the twisty streets of Singapore.

Local forecasts predict stormy, tropical and wet conditions throughout this week and into the weekend, with rain typically the most likely in the city-state during the evenings.

Wet conditions under the beaming lights of the inaugural race are a concern particularly for the drivers, who are unsure how distracting reflections from puddles on the track surface, and glimmering rain droplets, will be.

"It rains every night (there)," team owner Vijay Mallya, a long-time Singapore resident, said. "You don't have to pray for rain, it just comes."

Further complicating the unique track conditions will be the fact that, because of the European time difference, most teams have decided that not acclimatising to the Singapore time zone is the best preparation drivers can have for the night race.

While drivers usually prepare for long-haul races by arriving early and adjusting, drivers will fly into Singapore as late as possible, and will eat breakfast in the afternoon, have dinner after midnight, and go to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

"We will concentrate on getting our rest and nutrition right to ensure the body is ready to react in the right way when required," said Honda driver Jenson Button.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM