Singapore Gp Thread - Contains Race/Qualifying Spoilers

[Fernando]

The bright lights of the Marina Bay circuit provide the welcome this week as F1 heads east for the Singapore Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship. After the high-speed demands of Monza, the streets of Singapore offer a very different challenge.

With 23 corners, unforgiving walls and a lap time longer than at any other current grand prix, Marina Bay demands ultimate concentration from drivers – but Singapore does everything it can to shake that concentration. Between the abundant undulations of the city boulevards, the glare of the lights, the high temperatures and the humidity, Singapore presents perhaps the sternest challenge of the racing year.

Since joining the World Championship calendar in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix has been won by just three drivers, who are also the three men leading the chase for the 2013 drivers’ title. Fernando Alonso won in 2008 and 2010, bracketing a win for Lewis Hamilton in 2009. The last two runnings of the race have seen Sebastian Vettel victorious.

In 2012 Singapore marked the start of a four-race winning sequence for Vettel that saw him steadily diminish Alonso’s lead in the drivers’ championship. Vettel comes to Singapore this year in much better shape, off the back of wins in Belgium and Italy, both executed in imperious fashion. In doing so the reigning World Champion has established a lead of 53 points over Alonso and 81 over Hamilton.

Vettel isn’t expected to have it quite so easy on the streets of Marina Bay. The strategic significance of track position, the ever-present threat of safety cars and forecast thunderstorms all contribute to make this grand prix potentially more complicated that those that have preceded it.

► The Singapore Grand Prix has always ran close to the two-hour maximum race time. The shortest Singapore Grand Prix to date was the 2009 race, won by Lewis Hamilton for McLaren in a time of 1:56:06.337. Fernando Alonso’s victories in 2008 and 2010 were both completed in 1h57m and Sebastian Vettel’s triumph in 2011 pushed that out to 1h59m. The 2012 race was the slowest to date with Vettel’s winning time recorded as 2:00:26.144. Having gone beyond the two-hour cut-off point, the chequered flag was waved after 59 laps on this occasion instead of the scheduled 61. This was the first time since 2008 a grand prix had been completed by duration rather than distance.
► The above statistic paints a slightly false picture, as the Singapore Grand Prix has never been allowed to go the distance at racing speeds. The safety car has appeared every year to slow down proceedings. The proximity of barriers and the difficulty in accessing the circuit to clear wreckage make this circuit a high-probability candidate for a safety car deployment – something race strategists have to factor into their calculations. ► Despite being the grand prix that takes the longest to complete, Singapore has a higher average speed than Monaco. The disparity is explained by the Monaco Grand Prix running over a shorter distance than the rest of the calendar.
► In common with Monaco, Singapore is a maximum downforce circuit (and therefore sits at the opposite end of the scale to Monza). Other notable setup factors are necessitated by the uneven nature of the street surfaces and the need to attack kerbs through the tight right-angle street junctions. To address these issues, teams raise their ride-height and also set up with maximum suspension travel.
► The Formula One race is the second iteration of the Singapore Grand Prix. Its predecessor is a Formula Libre race which, having previously been called the Malaysian Grand Prix, became the Singapore Grand Prix after the city-state gained independence. The original incarnation of the Singapore Grand Prix ran from 1966-1973. ► Over the five-race history of the modern Singapore Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button are the only drivers to have completed every lap of every race.
► Despite the ever-present threat of rain in the tropics, and the frequent showers and thunderstorms that have preceded and followed the race, the Singapore Grand Prix has, to date, always been a dry race.
► Pirelli is bringing its Supersoft and Medium compounds to Singapore. This combination has been used in 2013 at the Australian and Canadian Grands Prix. As was the case in Montreal, Singapore is nominally going a step harder this year, Pirelli having allocated the Supersoft and Soft compounds in 2012 and 2011.

Weather Forecast:http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/1880252
Source: FIA

[Bull]

Not sponsored by the night-life or anything?

[Guest]

The FIA have finally decided to scrap that ridiculous turn 10 chicane. Driver's meeting was an anti-climax with Kimi, basically admitting he wasn't paid this season & only turned up because he enjoys racing.

Not overly excited about the weekend. I can only get excited if Vettel has a DNF & either Alonso or Hamilton win, otherwise it's just a procession to the season end. Maximum downforce should see Mercedes back to the front, be interesting to see if Ferrari slip back.

[dyrewolfe]

Not sponsored by the night-life or anything?

Must be a sign of the hard economic times we're living in...all the sponsors pulled out!

[GSC]

Much like Monaco, Singapore is a spectacle in every way but actual racing.

Hopefully it rains

[dyrewolfe]

The FIA have finally decided to scrap that ridiculous turn 10 chicane. Driver's meeting was an anti-climax with Kimi, basically admitting he wasn't paid this season & only turned up because he enjoys racing.

Not overly excited about the weekend. I can only get excited if Vettel has a DNF & either Alonso or Hamilton win, otherwise it's just a procession to the season end. Maximum downforce should see Mercedes back to the front, be interesting to see if Ferrari slip back.

Thank the racing gods for that! It just made the track more dangerous IMO.

Must have missed something...are Lotus in financial trouble or something? If so, I guess they're lucky Kimi's feeling benevolent at the moment.

Agree the season has got to the stage where many of us must be praying for problems at Red Bull, to give the others a chance to catch up. You have to admire their consistently good performances, but it does make for a boring season. Don't expect a thrilling race, but it'll be worth watching if Mercedes/Ferrari/Lotus qualify well and are in with a chance of a win.

[Guest]

As expected, Ferrari seem to be off pace. Vettel should extend his Championship lead. Mercedes look good, hopefully Hamilton can produce the goods in Q3 & race.

[liverbnz]

Agree the season has got to the stage where many of us must be praying for problems at Red Bull, to give the others a chance to catch up.

Red Bull always seem to have problems of one sort or another but they are unfortunately always in the garage of Mark Webber.

[Guest]

It`s got to the stage though, even if Hamilton wins, Vettel will just stroll to second place under no real pressure, extend his lead over Alonso & no damage is done.

[Fernando]

Here's why Vettel is world champion

2010
SIN 2nd, JPN 1st, KOR Ret, BRA 1st, ABU 1st

2011
SIN 1st, JPN 3rd, KOR 1st, IND 1st, ABU Ret, BRA 2nd

2012
SIN 1st, JPN 1st, KOR 1st, IND 1st, ABU 3rd, USA 2nd, BRA 6th

#Consistency

[GSC]

Here's why Vettel is world champion

2010
SIN Adrian Newey, JPN Adrian Newey, KOR Ret, BRA Adrian Newey, ABU Adrian Newey

2011
SIN Adrian Newey, JPN Adrian Newey, KOR Adrian Newey, IND Adrian Newey, ABU Ret, BRA Adrian Newey

2012
SIN Adrian Newey, JPN Adrian Newey, KOR Adrian Newey, IND Adrian Newey, ABU Adrian Newey, USA Adrian Newey, BRA Adrian Newey

#Consistency

/606v2

[bogbrush]

[SteveG]

Well it looks like Red Bull are in a league of their own again judging by FP2. That's depessing enough if u're not a RB fan - but here's the rub - even after FP1 when Merc looked good it was still a case of "so what". Vettel is too far up the road for anyone bar RB fans to care. And no amount of Alonso/Hamilton will they or won't they from SKY is gonna re-ignite any kind of interest. This is probably RBs most dominant season after 2011 because they now have a car that rules at EVERY circuit. If 2014 doesnt shake up the order after 5 years then I'm afraid F1 has a big problem.

[Guest]

Here's why Vettel is world champion

2010
SIN 2nd, JPN 1st, KOR Ret, BRA 1st, ABU 1st

2011
SIN 1st, JPN 3rd, KOR 1st, IND 1st, ABU Ret, BRA 2nd

2012
SIN 1st, JPN 1st, KOR 1st, IND 1st, ABU 3rd, USA 2nd, BRA 6th

#Consistency

Or more accurately......wait until Newey`s modified mid season upgrade comes along.

[Fernando]

Here's why Vettel is world champion

2010
SIN 2nd, JPN 1st, KOR Ret, BRA 1st, ABU 1st

2011
SIN 1st, JPN 3rd, KOR 1st, IND 1st, ABU Ret, BRA 2nd

2012
SIN 1st, JPN 1st, KOR 1st, IND 1st, ABU 3rd, USA 2nd, BRA 6th

#Consistency

Or more accurately......wait until Newey`s modified mid season upgrade comes along.

Would help if Mclaren weren't the best car at the end of last season and on equal terms along with Ferrari/Mclaren in 2010,

[bogbrush]

Now don't let facts get in the way of running Vettel down.

[Guest]

Who cares, reality is Vettel will ease to this years title. You can say Newey this, Newey that but the record books will just say a 4 time world champion. The competition haven't been good enough......again. Another Vettel podium this weekend & we can pretty much close the book on this season. I'm already just looking forward to next year, think the regulations will inevitably mix it up & probably the only way of halting Newey/Vettel is an inferior & uncompetitive Renault engine.

[GSC]

RB looks quick as ever around here. Lotus' form in hot weather remains intact, as they look the nearest challengers. Mercedes need to find something, Ferrari a fair bit

[bogbrush]

Shares in Di Resta plummeting.

[bogbrush]

You don't see that often, 1st guy over the line in Q3 sits it out on pole. Close though, he'd have been gutted had Rosberg pulled that off.

[Guest]

Vettel pole, even got a spare set of tyres for tomorrow. Webber disappoints again & Hamilton was off pace.

Should be a stroll for Vettel tomorrow, just looked at ease throughout. Good job by Gutierrez out-qualifying Hulkenberg. Raikkonen basically looking forward to next year now, like the rest of us.

[GSC]

Another superb pole for Vettel. Grosjean may fancy his chances of getting on the 2nd row

[GSC]

Grosjean says he and Kimi didn't speak much anyway.

Good effort by Rosberg to beat Lewis by 3 tenths.

[GSC]

FI have picked up 2 points since the tyre change

[Guest]

yeah, absolute shocker for them. Completely unfair really, contrast with Sauber who have gone the other way. Millions spent on developing a car to work with a specific tyre and then 'bam', complete change of tyre half way through a season. McLaren will be finishing 5th now in the Constructors.

[SteveG]

Disappointed with Hami - Rossberg showed how fast the car can be as he threw it around like errr Hami. Suspect its a lack of confidence with the brakes again - just like Monaco.

[Hulking_up]

Good job it's not on a silly O'clock in the morning because i would not get up early for this.

[SteveG]

Good job it's not on a silly O'clock in the morning because i would not get up early for this.

Me neither.

[Guest]

Yeah, I'm usually on every race, regardless of time but if Vettel win this then I think that's it for this season. Back to back 7am's after this aswell. Yeah, disappointed with Hamilton too. Hopefully Webber bogs down at the start & Grosjean gets too excited & out-brakes himself, allowing Hamilton through. Fully expect Rosberg, with heavy fuel, hardly even get near Vettel. Only thing that could be interesting would be a safety car half way through the race, bunching them up.

[dyrewolfe]

Well, that was disappointing, but not entirely unexpected.

Don't think Vettel even broke sweat...until he saw Nico on his last lap.

Brilliant job by Rosberg to get 2nd...that seemed to come out of nowhere. Fantastic effort from Grosjean to take 3rd and push Webber down to 4th.

Surprised Hamilton could only manage 5th. As john said, Webber often fluffs his starts, so hopefully Lewis can pass him off the grid and hunt down Grosjean early on.

Ferrari occupying familiar territory in 6th and 7th...Massa again out-qualifies Alonso (to be honest, I don't know why he bothers).

Button will be feeling a little dizzy, having set some sector times in Q3 to get 8th ahead of Ricciardo and Gutierrez.

Kimi apparently has back trouble, so don't expect him to feature much during the race.

So, in summary, the win is a foregone conclusion, unless Vettel has car issues. Should be an interesting scrap for the other two podium places and points finishes though.

[GSC]

There's going to be at least 1 SC

[bogbrush]

Webber-esque start by Vettel.

[Bull]

Vettel wins the Singapore Grand Prix.

[Guest]

Vettel 1st, Rosberg 2nd, third is a ? because of Di Resta. Everyone conserving now trying for two stops.

Terrible race. Vettel strolling.

[GSC]

Give it time, a SC always comes here.

Can't say I agree with the hulkenburg penalty, Hamilton one was correct

[GSC]

Ricciardo in the wall and the SC

[bogbrush]

There you go. Reset button pressed.

[Bull]

I guess you got that correct!   

[GSC]

Imagine Monaco, only hotter, poorer lighting and much longer.

A SC is a virtual guarantee

[GSC]

Vettels pace is immense when he feels like pushing. In a league of his own around here

[bogbrush]

I think RB suspect somebody may not stop again.

Edit: yeah, Boullier more or less confirms Raikonnen is staying there. Others too.

[bogbrush]

Webber really does have only one kind of luck!

[GSC]

Clearly he was sabotaged again with Vettel only 50 seconds up the road

[Bull]

Webber gets picked up by Alonso!

[GSC]

Superb win from Vettel, barely had to approach 100% at times.

Great drives from Alonso and Kimi.

Shame for McLaren, Webber and Grosjean

[GSC]

This race really needs shortened though.

[Guest]

Horrible race. Vettel dominated. Webber`s whole career at RB summed up by that race really. The safety car offered some excitement but the race win was never in doubt. Alonso/Kimi great drives but at the end of the day it means nothing. Bring on 2014.

[bogbrush]

Clearly he was sabotaged again with Vettel only 50 seconds up the road

Don't forget them getting Riccardo to crash and cause the safety car that helped Vettel so much.

[bsando]

haha, Vettel on radio celebrating how the car was perfect.. meanwhile, Webber's engine is in flames. I know it is just bad luck, but you have to wonder just how much of a coincidence it really is, it seems to happen so much. Will be interesting to see if the same continues when Riccardo is in the team.

Nice to see Alonso return the favour by giving Mark a lift back.

[GSC]

It was a slow burner but came to life towards the end. Decent race I thought.

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