A very torquey and responsive engine for Singapore

The Singapore Grand Prix displays the lowest average speed of the season after Monaco, around 170 km/h. With its 23 turns, the Marina Bay Street Circuit constitutes a real challenge for Renault Sport F1, who will have to adapt the settings of his RS27 for this atypical event on the calendar. “ After very fast circuits like Spa and Monza, we go to Singapore, on one of the slowest tracks of the season, explains Rémi Taffin, head of track operations for Renault Sport F1. Only 46% of the lap is covered at full load and top speeds aren't very great. We are focusing more on the linearity of power from the lowest revs and on the responsiveness of the engine when accelerating. »

One of the key elements of race management will be fuel consumption as Rémi Taffin explains: “ This will be one of the highest of the year. The route is a succession of accelerations and braking. At the start, the cars will be among the heaviest of the entire season. To avoid finishing with too much fuel and therefore losing time due to weight, or with too little fuel, the drivers continually play with the engine settings to adjust the richness of the mixture. As the need for power is less important on this Grand Prix, we try to offer modes with a minimum of fuel injection in order to reduce the weight of the car at the beginning. The fuel acts as ballast during the first few laps. »

On a circuit where the degradation of the Pirellis will need to be monitored, engine manufacturers will be able to adjust the settings of the power units to reduce tire wear. “ The asphalt being abrasive on these roads open to traffic in normal times, the degradation of the tires will also be significant, He added. The absence of rubber deposited on the trajectory at the start of the weekend is another essential parameter to take into account. We can reduce tire wear by adjusting the engine settings to gain rear stability and grip. Thanks to these options, we allow teams to benefit from a little more freedom to choose their strategy. »

After a difficult Grand Prix at Monza, marked by numerous alternator problems, Renault Sport F1 expects the single-seaters powered by the French engine to show off on the streets of Singapore. “ We know that we have the capacity to achieve good results there, believes Taffin. The RS27 has been competitive in town and on rather slow circuits since the start of the season. We look forward to working with our partners to help them achieve a great race. »