SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE OPENING OF THE SCIENCE OF FORMULA ONE EXHIBITION ON FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 2008, 6.00 PM, AT THE SINGAPORE SCIENCE CENTRE

Dr Chew Tuan Chiong

Chief Executive, Singapore Science Centre

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

We are now one month away from the inaugural Formula 1Grand Prix race in Singapore.There is much anticipation and excitement in the air in the lead up to Asia’s first street race and the world’s first Formula 1 night race. The race will be complemented by the Singapore GP Season which encompasses an exciting line-up of cultural, entertainment and lifestyle events.The inaugural Singapore River Festival will also be launched on 19 September.These events will collectively create a great festive atmosphere for Singaporeans and tourists to enjoy.Amidst such revelry, we would do well to remind ourselves that without the foundation of science and engineering, Formula 1 would not be the sport that it is today.

A Formula 1 racing car embodies some of the most exotic engineering known to humanity.Let me illustrate.The cars can travel at speeds up to 360 km/h with the drivers semi-reclined in a carbon fibre compartment only a few centimeters of the road.At full speed, a Formula 1 car uses aerodynamics to generate a downforce of 2 ½ times its own weight.That means, at a speed of 200km/h you could theoretically drive an F1 car upside down on the roof of a tunnel because the downforce generated would exceed the weight of the car!

Formula 1 has also yielded practical benefits.Many of the features in the modest cars that you and I drive – such as disc brakes and advanced tyre designs – are, in fact, spinoffs from Formula 1 technology.Formula 1 is truly a feat of science and engineering.I am therefore happy that the Singapore Science Centre is staging this “Science of Formula One Exhibition” which will vividly illustrate the fascinating technology behind this exciting sport.

Promoting Science and Engineering through F1

As the title suggests, the exhibition will feature the science that underpins F1 motor racing, exploring areas like Aerodynamics, Material Science and Forces.It will highlight the uniqueness of the F1 engine, the F1 tyres, the driver’s suit as well as the carbon fibre used in the F1 car body.It also has an area showcasing the history and the anatomy of an F1 car.Visitors will certainly find it a good introduction to the science and technology of F1 motor racing prior to viewing the race itself.

This exhibition is also a showcase of creativity and innovation in Engineering.Often, science and engineering are viewed as primarily analytical disciplines.Yet, it is the scientists or engineers who have combined creativity with analytical techniques to generate ideas and innovations that are so commonplace in our modern lifestyle.Indeed, it is our hope that the best and brightest studying Science and Engineering in our schools and universities today, will be tomorrow’s creators of cutting edge technology, novel therapeutic solutions, and lifestyle-enhancing gadgets.More than ever, as the challenges we face become more complex, we need our scientists and engineers to combine their creativity with analytics to fulfil the unmet needs of the world and humanity.

To this end, our Science Centre plays a very important role by imbuing our young with enthusiasm and excitement in the discovery of Science and the application of Engineering.I hope that through this exhibition and the interest generated by the Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, many more of our young talented students will come to appreciate that Science and Engineering can be fun, creative and even sexy - and seriously consider future careers in these exciting fields.

With this, I am happy to now flag off the exhibition and wish the Singapore Science Centre a successful run.
 
Thank you.