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SINGAPORE: Srutineers, whose job comes with a heavy responsibility, have their eyes and ears on the ground to ensure that Formula 1 teams play by the rule book.
A total of 35 scrutineers will be involved in this month's F1 race in Singapore. There are 30 Singaporeans in the team, up from 20 last year – an indication of a growing interest in motor sports here.
These men will be the ground representatives for the world motor sport governing body FIA, watching every move of the teams and their cars in the pit garage.
One of the scrutineers, Chiew Yee Kin, was involved with the Red Bull team last year, looking after David Coulthard's car.
"Let's say the team's component needs to be changed. The scrutineer has to hold that component in his hand until the end of the race and then he has to hand it over to FIA... some of them hold springs and screws for the whole duration," said Mr Chiew.
Nuts and bolts aside, there is also a long checklist they have to scrutinise – from the weight of the car to other safety aspects like height and aerodynamics.
Although the work hours are long, with shifts that run into the wee hours of the morning, the scrutineers are taking it all in their stride.
Lan Leimin, one of the scrutineers for the Singapore F1 race, said: "The pit garage is already a packed place that is full of action and a lot is taking place in such a small space, and we, as scrutineers, try not to get in the way of the mechanics and engineers working on the car at any point of time."
Another challenge for them is to stay focused and impartial.
"(I have to) stop ogling at the cars and keep in track with the responsibility that I am tasked with. There is a possibility I will get distracted with all the cars and drivers, but I will do my best to stick to the plan," said Mohd Sharael.
The Singapore Motor Sports Association said the total number of race officials this year is down to 800, compared to the 1,000 who took part in 2008. There is also a decline in the number of female race officials, with only 88 compared to 106 in the inaugural race last year.
- CNA/so
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