Pollution worries the organizers of the Singapore GP

Singapore officials admit they are more concerned about the haze from pollution covering the city than about any fallout from the Renault affair. However, the preparation for the second Formula 1 night race is almost certain to be overshadowed by Monday’s World Motor Sport Council meeting regarding the allegations Renault is facing.

However, although this puts the event in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, the major figures of the city-state are not worried and believe that it will have no negative impact on the race. Prime Minister S. Iswaran told local media that the event’s reputation will not suffer from what happened last year.

«From what I understand from the experts, it’s really a tactic of just one team, » he said. «So I think it won’t have any particular impact on Singapore. It’s really an issue between the FIA and the teams. We are a host for the race, our job is to ensure that the show will be of quality, so that visitors come here, have fun, and keep a memorable memory of this event. »

However, the most worrying for the organizers is the pollution haze that has blown over Singapore, due to a mix of deforestation fires in the region, as well as a weather pattern close to El Nino, bringing hotter and drier weather, further complicating the situation.

S. Iswaran stated that the matter would be left in the hands of the FIA, which will have to make decisions if safety is impacted. « Regarding the race, as far as safety and its impact due to the fog situation are concerned, we will let the FIA make the necessary decisions, » he said.

Regarding our own precautions required by the situation, they will be taken by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources. They will coordinate their efforts.

The president of the Singapore Automobile Federation, Tan Teng Lip, admits that in the worst-case scenario, the race could be canceled.

« The worst-case scenario would, of course, be that the visibility becomes so poor that it affects the pilots. You know, we are talking about safety issues, the last resort would be to stop the race. We had a similar case earlier this year with the heavy rain at Sepang. But, of course, the decision rests with the race stewards. »