Singapore Grand Prix 2014 – The Grid: Advantage Mercedes before a strategic race

After the qualifying session held on Saturday, which you can read about on MotorsInside.com, the editorial team offers you a recap of the starting grid.

No penalties to report, so the exact qualifying order is used to set the grid.

The tires

An atmosphere and a hot track, nearly two hours of racing: the softest tires in the range brought by Pirelli will be put to the test throughout the 23 turns of the Marina Bay circuit.

For this GP, Pirelli predicts that the optimal strategy will be three stops. The Italian manufacturer’s simulation takes into account a possible – but likely – safety car that might intervene at the beginning of the race. The start would be on super-softs, with a first stop on lap 20 to fit a new set of red-sided tires, then doing the same during a second stop on lap 36, and finally, making a last stop on lap 51 to fit the soft (yellow) tires.

Pirelli does not rule out the possibility of a two-stop strategy (starting on super-softs, stopping on lap 22 to switch to super-softs, then a final stop on lap 44 to switch to softs), but considers it might be ten seconds slower than the three-stop strategy. However, more than elsewhere, the race and strategy could be disrupted.

The forces at play

The Mercedes cars struggled to secure the front row: less comfortable than usual, the Silver Arrows nonetheless hit the mark. The question will be about their race pace: in that regard, Hamilton and Rosberg will likely rely on a good pace on super-soft tires and a very interesting pace on soft tires. It remains to be seen whether an intense fight between the two title contenders might force quicker tire wear.

Furthermore, with the two Red Bulls behind them showing the best pace of the leading teams on Friday during the long runs, the pressure could be significant even though, as often in the race, the W05 Hybrids will likely regain the advantage. The Ferraris have a role to play and Alonso has already indicated that he will aim for the podium, with a promising long-run pace but a slightly handicapping grid position.