Michael: Singapore crucial to title hopes

McLaren sporting director Sam Michael believes the Singapore GP could decide the outcome of the Constructors’ Championship…
McLaren sporting director Sam Michael believes the Singapore GP could decide the outcome of the Constructors’ Championship.
The Woking squad head to the Marina Bay Street Circuit in excellent form, winning the last three races and reducing Red Bull’s lead in the standings to 29 points.
Michael and company though are all too aware that the recent circuits have suited the MP4-27 and know things might change at Singapore this weekend.
“I think now it is a critical point of the Championship for us,” Michael told the official podcast for the Australian Grand Prix.
“We are coming from behind and we know we have a big challenge to try and get up there in the Constructors’ [Championship].
“The next race is important because if you look at the last three [races] there are various circumstances that may have contributed to our main competitor, such as Red Bull, suffering in performance.
“One in particular is the lift to drag ratios of tracks. We have been to two low-drag circuits, Spa and Monza, and those are quite different aero packages compared to what you normally run. We are now going back to Singapore, which is a maximum downforce circuit.
“If we go there and still have same sort of advantage as we had in the last two [races], then I would say we are in a really strong position to challenge [for the title].
“If RBR is quick again and on the front row with both cars, then I think it doesn’t mean we cannot win the Championship – but it will be a tougher job.”