Singapore: Renault hopes to close the gap in terms of performance

During the last two Grand Prix, held on circuits requiring good engine power at Spa and Monza, the teams powered by Renault – starting with Red Bull, which won in Belgium – have closed the gap in performance with the cars equipped with a Mercedes power unit.

In Singapore, the French engine manufacturer is aware that it will always be behind its rivals, but it hopes to prove that it has closed the gap in terms of performance, as explained by Rémi Taffin, director of track activities at RSF1, in the statement presenting the Grand Prix: « The Singapore track should be much better suited to the Renault Energy F1 than the previous two circuits. We have made solid progress in terms of energy management and recovery, two important performance factors on this urban track. We are aware that our rivals will still have a slight advantage, but we expect to be much closer to them than in Monza. Securing a good position in qualifying, which is entirely possible, will set the tone for the Grand Prix. Our main goal will, therefore, be to extract the maximum performance over one lap to start from the top of the grid. »

The challenges of the Marina Bay circuit layout will severely test energy recovery due to the heavy braking present throughout the track: « The internal combustion engine and turbocharger will have a slightly easier time here. However, the battery and MGU-K will be heavily utilized. Each braking phase promises to be intense and long, especially in the ‘Hotel’ section that snakes through the stands. There, the electric generator will have the opportunity to recover enough energy to keep the battery at a relatively high charge level throughout a lap. Conversely, the MGU-H will be a bit less stressed since the straights between the various turns are too short to allow the exhaust to develop a consistent flow. »

One of the major challenges will also be fuel consumption, and the drivers will have to be careful because they can no longer be assisted by their pits in this regard: These brief acceleration phases naturally require good torque response and optimal engine flexibility, but they also significantly increase fuel consumption over one lap. In fact, it’s in Singapore where we will use the largest amount of fuel per lap this season; we will be flirting with the regulatory limit of 100 kg allowed in the race. For comparison, we consumed 150 kg of fuel last season, which represents an energy saving of over 30%. The Marina Bay circuit, even more than any other track, highlights how much we have progressed in terms of energy efficiency.