Traction will represent top priority - Rampf

The 15th race weekend of the 2008 Formula One season is imminent. Willy Rampf, the BMW Sauber F1 Team's Technical Director, talks about the Singapore Grand Prix and the perils of the first night race in the history of the sport.

"From the spectators' point of view, the Singapore Grand Prix - the first night race in the history of Formula One - will be a highlight in the truest sense of the word," says the German referring to the latest addition to the Formula One calendar. "The circuit features numerous 90-degree corners which will be taken at around 100kph. As a result, traction will represent the top priority. The downforce level is high, comparable to Monaco."

"As things stand, the biggest unknown factor is the track surface," adds Rampf. After all, the major part of the lap is driven on public roads usually used by the locals for their day-to-day journeys. "In addition, the lack of exposure to the sun will be a factor that shouldn't be underestimated as the asphalt temperatures will be lower than at other races in this part of the world. That's something we'll need to take into account when it comes to the car's set-up."

As this weekend's race will be the maiden Grand Prix held at Singapore's "Marina Bay Circuit", the BMW Sauber F1 Team will have to rely on simulations as it seeks to find a proper set-up. "This has proved to work fine in the past," says Rampf. "The unusual work time schedule will certainly demand a fair amount of all those involved but will also be an interesting experience. I'm confident that we'll be able to continue our recent streak of positive results and am looking forward to this new challenge."