Having attended my first Singapore Grand Prix I can honestly say I’m a big fan of the event. As I mentioned in my previous column for Auto123.com, I had been to the city once before for a demonstration event in a Formula One car back in 2008 but this was my first time actually attending the race.
I was there this year in my role as a reserve driver for Marussia Virgin Racing. The whole team was looking forward to going to Singapore. This was mainly because we knew the upgrades that debuted on the car at the Italian Grand Prix would be even more suited to the Singapore Grand Prix thanks to the aero demands of the track.
Ultimately the team had another solid outing, once again demonstrating over the course of the weekend the impressive reliability of the MVR-02’s. We were a bit closer to the competition than we’ve seen in the past, which was also very encouraging.
Unfortunately Timo (Glock) was hit from behind in the race damaging his rear wing eventually forcing him to retire. Jerome (D’Ambrosio) however had a good race, trouble-free, which took him to an 18th place finish.
From my personal perspective it was an exciting weekend in Singapore as it was great to be able to soak up the atmosphere of the place. It was pretty weird going to bed at 6 am and waking up around 1 pm. While we all tried to remain on ‘British’ time out there it was quite funny as you actually felt like you had a lot more time on your hands, despite sticking to what was essentially a normal Grand Prix timetable!
I was a little surprised but I was never tired and I made it into the gym every day no problem – something that can feel like a bit of a struggle on regular Grand Prix weekends due to on and off-track commitments keeping you busy!
I recorded another personal ‘first’ in Singapore as I made my debut at the Amber Lounge Fashion Show! I don’t think I have to worry about a career as a model that’s for sure. It was a lot of fun taking part in that with some of the other drivers. The hardest thing about it was just trying to keep a straight face on the runway as I ‘modelled’ my suit.
Now the team’s getting ready for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix but I won’t be with them as I’m in Spain for the final round of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. I’ve never been to Japan and obviously I’d love to be going to support the team but the reality is I’m still fighting for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title and that’s my priority right now.
It’s a straight shoot-out for the championship with my lead down to just two points heading into the weekend in Barcelona. It’s a bit of an ‘all or nothing’ event coming up! Saturday will probably be the key to the weekend. A strong performance then should change everything for the Sunday race but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Anyone who has raced in Europe knows Circuit de Catalunya well as it just seems to be one of those places that makes it onto everyone’s race calendar regardless of championship! I’ve raced there in each of my three previous seasons in Europe and I’ve had a couple of poles before and podium finishes each year.
It’s been a good circuit for me, both in testing and racing, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. Hopefully I’ll be leaving there this weekend with the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title on my resume! I’ll let you know how it plays out in my next column.
Cheers!
Robert Wickens
@robertwickens
www.robertwickens.com
I was there this year in my role as a reserve driver for Marussia Virgin Racing. The whole team was looking forward to going to Singapore. This was mainly because we knew the upgrades that debuted on the car at the Italian Grand Prix would be even more suited to the Singapore Grand Prix thanks to the aero demands of the track.
 |
| Photo: Marussia Virgin Racing |
Ultimately the team had another solid outing, once again demonstrating over the course of the weekend the impressive reliability of the MVR-02’s. We were a bit closer to the competition than we’ve seen in the past, which was also very encouraging.
Unfortunately Timo (Glock) was hit from behind in the race damaging his rear wing eventually forcing him to retire. Jerome (D’Ambrosio) however had a good race, trouble-free, which took him to an 18th place finish.
From my personal perspective it was an exciting weekend in Singapore as it was great to be able to soak up the atmosphere of the place. It was pretty weird going to bed at 6 am and waking up around 1 pm. While we all tried to remain on ‘British’ time out there it was quite funny as you actually felt like you had a lot more time on your hands, despite sticking to what was essentially a normal Grand Prix timetable!
 |
| Photo: Marussia Virgin Racing |
I was a little surprised but I was never tired and I made it into the gym every day no problem – something that can feel like a bit of a struggle on regular Grand Prix weekends due to on and off-track commitments keeping you busy!
I recorded another personal ‘first’ in Singapore as I made my debut at the Amber Lounge Fashion Show! I don’t think I have to worry about a career as a model that’s for sure. It was a lot of fun taking part in that with some of the other drivers. The hardest thing about it was just trying to keep a straight face on the runway as I ‘modelled’ my suit.
Now the team’s getting ready for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix but I won’t be with them as I’m in Spain for the final round of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. I’ve never been to Japan and obviously I’d love to be going to support the team but the reality is I’m still fighting for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title and that’s my priority right now.
It’s a straight shoot-out for the championship with my lead down to just two points heading into the weekend in Barcelona. It’s a bit of an ‘all or nothing’ event coming up! Saturday will probably be the key to the weekend. A strong performance then should change everything for the Sunday race but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
 |
| Photo: Marussia Virgin Racing |
Anyone who has raced in Europe knows Circuit de Catalunya well as it just seems to be one of those places that makes it onto everyone’s race calendar regardless of championship! I’ve raced there in each of my three previous seasons in Europe and I’ve had a couple of poles before and podium finishes each year.
It’s been a good circuit for me, both in testing and racing, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. Hopefully I’ll be leaving there this weekend with the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title on my resume! I’ll let you know how it plays out in my next column.
Cheers!
Robert Wickens
@robertwickens
www.robertwickens.com