TYRES ON THE TRACK
* The three softest compounds have been chosen for Singapore (for the first time since Austria): the P Zero White hard is the C3, the P Zero Yellow medium is the C4, and the P Zero Red soft is the C5. These compounds have been chosen to match the typical street circuit characteristics of the Marina Bay track, ensuring high levels of mechanical grip.
* There’s some new asphalt for Singapore this year, laid by Italian firm Dromo. This isn’t as smooth as the asphalt usually seen on street circuits, having been put down with a view to the grand prix. However, as a street circuit, the Marina Bay circuit is used by normal road traffic most of the time – and the surface contains street furniture such as white lines and manhole covers. A high degree of track evolution is expected; also because there are not many support races scheduled, which help to lay down rubber.
* With the race starting at 8pm local time (GMT +8) and continuing for about two hours, track temperatures are generally stable for most of the race, while high humidity levels provide a big physical challenge for the drivers, the cars and also for the tyres, with thermal degradation.

MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR RACING
“We’ve missed the spectacular night action of Singapore’s streets! With 18-inch tyres that have a completely different compound and structure compared to the ones used three years ago – as well as new asphalt this year – it’s almost like a totally new race. Singapore is all about slow corners – all 23 of them – and maximising traction. We’ve got the three softest compounds for maximum speed and grip but looking after the rear tyres in order to ensure the drive needed will be key. With the tendency of the latest cars to understeer, it will be even more important to find the right set-up balance to ensure a strong front end without compromising acceleration at the rear.”

OTHER PIRELLI NEWS
WRC
Rally New Zealand, exclusively equipped by Pirelli, takes place during the same weekend as the Singapore Grand Prix and is another event returning to action after a prolonged absence, having last been held at world level in 2012.

GT
The final round of the GT World Challenge – a championship that has run only on Pirelli tyres since 2012 and forms part of Pirelli’s portfolio of nearly 250 car championships worldwide – also happens during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, in Barcelona.
At the latest round in Valencia, Audi drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts claimed the Sprint title for the third year in a row, while Mercedes driver Raffaele Marciello won the overall GT World Challenge Europe driver’s title.

Formula 3
The official post-season Formula 3 test took place at Jerez in Spain last week for three days, with 16 new drivers lining up alongside 14 established names. The teams used Pirelli’s P Zero White hard tyres, with each car allocated eight new sets alongside three sets of the wet compound.