The Singapore street circuit provides a variety of challenges to the drivers - from keeping odd hours to be at peak performance in the evening, to the hot conditions when in the car. Going into the race weekend, drivers were both apprehensive and respectful of the task that lay ahead.

Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi was hoping to do well to put him on a motivational track ahead of his home race in Suzuka. He said: "I will make sure I prepare myself to the working hours we have to adopt by going to sleep late and getting up late. The Singapore circuit has many corners, they are all quite similar and all very tricky as well."

Meanwhile, Virgin driver Jérôme D'Ambrosio was anticipating something of an anniversary as he approached the Singapore GP: "I have very good memories from Singapore - this time last year the team gave me the chance to jump into the car on Friday for the first time. It was a very special moment - a key moment in my career. One year later I return to Singapore as a Formula One driver and having learned an incredible amount in a very short space of time."

Finally, Heikki Kovalainen, of Team Lotus, took a different approach, putting a more positive spin on the conditions: "The heat is pretty hardcore for the guys in the garages, but I like it. Physically I have felt good all season and while it's obviously more challenging in the humidity and heat of Singapore, it's a good challenge and it's what F1 should be all about."