Singapore GP: A Step Towards Wonder for Toyota

According to the drivers or even the technical director in charge of the chassis, the Singapore Grand Prix is the event of the season. This year, the race will compete with that of Abu Dhabi, which also promises a breathtaking spectacle. Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock have experienced mixed fortunes on this track in the past, but both drivers take great pleasure in coming back to bask under the spotlights (!).

From a technical point of view, the TF109s will be further improved compared to the last races, and everyone hopes they will be suited to the track’s characteristics: high downforce level, bumps, repeated heavy braking.

Jarno Trulli – Racing Driver:

Singapore is a unique race for us because it’s a night race, which makes it interesting. I hope we can be competitive there, especially since we’ll have a few upgrades on the car. The team has been pushing hard all season to launch new parts, and it’s great to have upgrades as the season draws to a close. It’s not possible to predict our results before having some track time, but I’m optimistic that we can be competitive again in Singapore. I was really unlucky last year when a technical issue prevented me from finishing on the podium. It was a very tough race, especially in hot conditions and with bumps, so it’s frustrating not to get a result. This year, I’m determined to do the opposite. To be honest, I prefer daytime races because the light from the spotlights is just not the same, but a night race is beneficial for spectators with a pleasant atmosphere.

Timo Glock – Racing Driver

I really enjoy driving at night because it’s a great show for the fans and last year it was an incredible event. You need to get used to driving under the lights, but for me the visibility was good. It’s just quite strange to arrive at the track in the early afternoon and leave around 4 a.m. I love the Singapore circuit, I feel great pleasure passing by some famous buildings at night. The chicane in turn 10 is a nice challenge because you can’t afford to make a mistake. It’s a street circuit and last year, it was quite eventful, which made it difficult for the drivers, but they managed to work on this point. I had a good race a year ago, so I hope we can repeat that kind of result. It is difficult to know what to expect since we will have some improvements on the car this weekend, but I hope we can make a step forward.

Pascal Vasselon – Chassis Technical Director:

Singapore in 2008 was a huge success, and I was very impressed. The place is fantastic, and a night race was the thing to organize. It was an unforgettable event. The circuit itself requires a lot of downforce and the drivers play a key role, as there are many turns, 23 in total. It is extremely important for a driver to find the right rhythm without hitting the barriers. Another factor to consider in Singapore is that it is extremely hard on the brakes, and we must be cautious in that regard. But the main feature discovered last year was that the track was incredibly bumpy, so setting up the suspension correctly is essential. There have been some arrangements made, and we will see if that reduces the problem. We are going to make some improvements to our car for this race and, in fact, in Singapore, it will be the last series of improvements on the TF109.