22/09/2013
NEWS STORY
First off, for those of you hoping that the weather gods might look down on race fans favourably this evening and spice things up with a little of the wet stuff, forget it. It aint gonna happen.
Yes, this is the monsoon season, yes, check out any of the meteorological websites and they'll be forecasting storms, check out wherever you want, the fact remains that it isn't going to rain.
How do we know? Check out the site later in the week. That way we can edit this out if it does rain.
However, while we might not be able to rely on the weather to cause problems, Felipe Massa claims that the condition of the track, particularly off-line could.
The Brazilian has expressed his concern at the large amount of marbles and the general amount of rubbish on the track, a concern shared by Paul Hembery.
"Even before the GP2 race on Saturday when cars started out we could see already there was yesterday's marbles out there," Hembery told Pitpass. "The quantity that you see is unfortunate because it's a combination of a multitude of races going on and not the level of cleaning that we normally see.
"In other races it'll go to the outside of a corner. Here they're probably going to bounce off a wall and come back on to the track," he added. "So we need to have a chat with the FIA and the circuit about that."
This morning the FIA confirmed the track was swept overnight, though marbles were still clearly visible off line in some parts of the circuit, particularly in the final sector.
Other than that it's difficult to see what might prevent Sebastian Vettel taking another giant step towards his fourth successive title today, though there is always the exuberance of Romain Grosjean who starts just behind the German.
While some thought it showed supreme confidence when Vettel climbed from his car in Q3 having settled for his time, and thereby saving a set of tyres, the look on his face as he watched Nico Rosberg's progress said it all, the Mercedes driver giving his countryman a run for his money.
While wee thought the biggest threat would come from Sebastian's teammate, Mark Webber, it was not to be, the Australian starting from fourth today.
Disappointment for Lewis Hamilton also who admitted he didn't have a great feeling in the car, whilst Fernando Alonso, in a Ferrari clearly lacking pace, was out-qualified by his teammate for the second successive race.
While Jenson Button drove a super cool lap to get his McLaren into eighth, praise for Daniel Ricciardo and especially Esteban Gutierrez for their performances.
Of particular concern, ahead of today's race, is Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn complained of back pain before yesterday's qualifying session and was only able to put the car 13th on the grid. Not sticking around for the debrief or press calls his 'disability' is the cause of much speculation in the paddock.
It's worth noting that each previous Singapore Grand Prix has featured at least one Safety Car deployment, with a total of eight in the five races thus far. It is highly unlikely that this year will be any different, especially with those malicious marbles.
Being a street circuit, this is no place for heroics, and while it might be tempting for drivers to take that extra chance and make a move that might secure a better result or, more importantly, a drive for 2014, the barriers in Singapore are as unforgiving as the barriers in Monaco and pretty much everywhere else.
With a 53 point lead, the equivalent of two race wins, Vettel is already looking unstoppable. Another win today, with just six races remaining might put the lid on it, especially with most teams already shifting focus to 2014.
On the other hand, there was the gearbox issue in Italy, an issue that continued to affect Webber at the start of this weekend. Thus far, the Milton Keynes has been keeping uncharacteristically quiet on the subject.
As for Singapore, with every year it gets a little better and is proving to be one of those races that fans do want to visit. Although not everyone likes street circuits, it has atmosphere, the cars look great at night and the organisers do try to put a show on, not just on track but in terms of concerts and events. In short, they are trying, but not overdoing it, almost as if they respect the tradition of the sport.
And no, we weren't paid for that.
Asked before the start of the race whether he will take a risk going into the first corner, Rosberg, saying that he is still in the title fight, albeit 118 points adrift, the German smiles and says he may give Vettel "a reminder".
Tyre options are medium (prime) and supersoft (option), as opposed to soft and supersoft in 2012.
Singapore is one of the hardest races to predict a strategy for because of the statistically high chance of safety cars. Theoretically, the quickest strategy is a three-stopper but in reality, because of the traffic and likely race conditions, most teams will adopt a two-stopper.
The likely strategy is: start on the supersoft, then change to medium on lap 16 and supersoft again on lap 39. An alternative is exactly the same strategy, but using the medium instead of the supersoft during the final stint.
There are two DRS zones this year. The first is on the pit straight - with activation on the approach to Turn 22, while the second runs between Turns 5 and 7 - with activation just after Turn 4.
The pitlane opens, soon the drivers, all 22 of them, take their places on the grid.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 32 degrees. It is 20:00.
All are on the options, including Gutierrez who didn't post a time in Q3, except for Sutil who is on primes.
Vettel leads the field away, Perez on a new set of options while those ahead of him are on used boots. The grid eventually forms behind Vettel.
Rosberg has the edge in T1 but runs a little wide, Vettel is alongside and eventually gets ahead of the Mercedes. Hamilton goes wide and loses positions whilst Alonso makes a strong start, jumping Webber and Grosjean.
At the end of lap one Vettel leads Rosberg, Alonso, Grosjean, Webber, Massa, Hamilton, Button, Hulkenberg and Gutierrez.
Hamilton who gained a place at the start after running wide is instructed to hand the place back to Massa, he does so but immediately fights back. These two have history. Elsewhere, Raikkonen is all over di Resta who had a great start.
After 2 laps, Vettel already has a 4.1s advantage, Grosjean climbing all over the back of Webber. Gutierrez loses out to countryman Perez, a driver who needs a good result.
Button leads a train which includes Hulkenberg, Perez, Gutierrez and Raikkonen who has despatched di Resta.
As Vettel maintains a scintillating pace, Webber is told to look after his tyres whilst monitoring the (1.3s) gap to Alonso.
"Remember there are safety cars out there," Vettel is told, "save your tyres". The German is leading by 6.2s and setting a blistering pace. Raikkonen closes on Perez.
Under pressure from Grosjean, Webber is again told to maintain a 2s gap to Alonso in order to maintain his tyres.
After just 6 laps the race has become worryingly processional. Then again, that's the problem with street circuits. Raikkonen continues to harry Perez whilst Bottas is snapping at the heels of Van der Garde.
Grosjean goes quickest in S1, the Frenchman clearly eager to make a move on Webber. Elsewhere however, Rosberg goes quickest in S2.
As an aside, last night editor Balfe had a couple of Sainsbury's steak and kidney puddings. Though he used to have them as a kid he hadn't had one for a couple of years. He cooked them as instructed, and savoured the old, familiar smell however, when he cut into them he was left bitterly disappointed. Filled with runny gravy and bits of gristly kidney they didn't come anywhere near to his expectation. While we are still in the early stages, this particular race is pretty much like those puddings, promising so much but delivering so little.
At the end of lap 10, Raikkonen is the first to pit, the Finn rejoining in 19th. Next time around Gutierrez, Vergne and Bianchi all stop.
Massa pits at the end of lap 12, like Raikkonen he sticks with the option rubber. Sutil also pits, the German switching to the option rubber.
As Vettel posts a new fastest lap (52.756), Webber calmly admits that he has "trouble with the rears". The Australian subsequently pits... as do Button, Hulkenberg, Van der Garde and Bottas
As Webber rejoins in eighth, immediately locked in battle with Ricciardo, Gutierrez goes quickest (52.212).
"How am I doing," asks Hamilton. "At this stage good," is the response, "just keep doing what you're doing".
Alonso and Perez both pit at the end of lap 14 as Rosberg is told "box, box, box!" The Spaniard rejoins behind sixth placed di Resta.
Rosberg and Grosjean both pit at the end of lap 15, with Hamilton giving the Mercedes crew even more to keep them busy. Ricciardo also pits. Rosberg rejoins still in second while Grosjean drops to sixth.
A fantastic battle between Maldonado, Hulkenberg, Perez and Gutierrez, as it emerges that Hamilton jumped Massa during his stop. At one point Perez and Hulkenberg touch, the Sauber driver running wide.
Vettel finally pits at the end of lap 17, the German rejoining 28.787s later still leading. Alonso and Webber are losing time behind third-placed di Resta. The Scot is the only driver not to have pitted.
Hulkenberg is told that he has to hand position back to Perez following the earlier incident. "What?" is the response from a clearly angry German.
"These tyres are terrible," says Hamilton. "Never mind, your pace is good," is the almost disinterested response.
After 19 laps, it's: Vettel, Rosberg, di Resta, Alonso, Webber, Grosjean, Hamilton, Massa, Button and Raikkonen.
Di Resta pits at the end of lap 20, thus releasing Alonso and Webber, the Spaniard now 16.475 down on Rosberg who is 9.690s down on the leader. Webber still has his mirrors filled with the black and gold of Grosjean's Lotus. Di Resta rejoins in thirteenth.
Almost perfect symmetry behind the leading ten, Hulkenberg, in eleventh, leads Gutierrez, then di Resta, Vergne, Sutil, Ricciardo, Maldonado, Bottas, Van der Garde, Pic, Chilton and Bianchi.
Now that's unusual, Tom Jones takes a seat among the mechanics in the Lotus garage.
"Remember to drink," both Mercedes drivers are told.
Game over for Ricciardo who has gone into the wall at T18, which means the Safety Car will make an appearance.
In the aftermath, Vergne, Bottas, Chilton and Bianchi all pit.
Replay shows the Australian locks up at the rear going into the left hander.
Alonso and Grosjean pit, as do Massa, Button, Raikkonen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Gutierrez, Sutil and Maldonado. The leading four, Vettel, Rosberg, Webber and Hamilton stay out.
"Off line is very dirty," Vettel is warned, "stay on line and use your brakes."
Hulkenberg is still moaning about having to hand that position back to Perez. The German is told to concentrate on the race.
In one fell swoop, courtesy of his future teammate, Vettel's 10s lead has been cut to a few car lengths. The German is told to imagine the re-start in his mind. As if he needs telling.
At the one hour mark, the field have completed 28 laps which suggests the race will not go the full 61 lap distance and will instead end at two hours. This could favour some drivers in terms of their tyre strategy meaning they won't have to stop again.
At the end of lap 30, the Safety Car pulls off. Rosberg complains of a radio problem... it fails whenever he talks. The German is right up the exhaust of the leading Red Bull.
Game on, Vettel floors it and the field dutifully follows. A few drivers look at possibilities but think better of it at this stage.
In no time at all, Vettel is 3.2s clear of Rosberg who now heads a train of ten cars. Hamilton is unhappy at the amount of 'debris' on the track.
A new fastest lap from Vettel (50.641), having been given the all-clear by his engineer.
Grosjean is told he has a problem with "air consumption" and therefore needs to pit. "No," is the frustrated response from the cockpit.
"What is wrong with this car," moans the Frenchman as the teams takes an age during his stop. He leaves the pits in last position. A bitter end to the youngster's hard work.
As Massa goes quickest in S1, Vettel is already 9.9s clear of Rosberg.
Running in fifth, Alonso is given an update on the tyre situation, his and that of his rivals. Meanwhile, in one lap, Vettel gains 2s on Rosberg.
After 36 laps, it's: Vettel, Rosberg, Webber, Hamilton, Alonso, di Resta, Massa, Button, Raikkonen and Perez.
As Gutierrez runs wide over the marbles and does well to keep out of the wall, Vettel posts another fastest lap (50.182), extending his lead to 14.3s.
Van der Garde has split the Williams, and is running in 16th, a strong performance from the Dutchman. Elsewhere, Bianchi is told to pass his Marussia teammate.
Rosberg is warned that he is losing downforce due to marbles stuck in his front wing.
Grosjean heads down the pitlane, his team having opted to retire him from the race.
Vettel continues to take 2s a lap from Rosberg, building a lead of 18.7s. "You're doing exactly what we need," he is told, "good job".
Vergne makes his final stop on lap 39, the Frenchman rejoining in 18th, behind countryman Pic.
Webber and Sutil both pit at the end of lap 40, the Australian rejoining in 13th, just ahead of Bottas who has passed Van der Garde.
"Push, push, push," Hamilton is told, "it's all starting to happen now". Moments later his teammate is told to pit, just as Vettel posts another fastest lap (50.022).
Breathtaking stuff, Rosberg rejoins the circuit just as Webber sweeps by, Red Bull now looking good for a 1-2.
Di Resta pits at the end of lap 42, as does Massa. Despite a dodgy looking stop the force India maintains position and leaves the pits in 11th still ahead of the Brazilian.
"Push hard, you have twenty lap remaining," Rosberg is told. The German is confused and doesn't understand how he has suddenly lost out. Elsewhere his teammate pits, rejoining in 10th behind the German.
Sutil, down in 14th, posts a new fastest lap (49.656) as Vettel is told to pit. The German duly obliges, rejoining the race 28.934s later still leading.
Still debating the situation with his team, Rosberg insists that he needs to save his tyres. However, the team is equally adamant that he must push in order to get ahead of Alonso, who the German team believe must stop again.
It's Vettel, Alonso, Button, Raikkonen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Gutierrez, Webber, Rosberg and Hamilton. However, a number of these still have to stop again... or do they? Whether they need to stop or not, the big guns will need to pass them.
Although told to ease off, and minded of the Safety Car threat, Vettel takes another 3s from Alonso.
"We need to get past Webber, Hamilton is told, "Nico has had the same message".
Webber closes in on Gutierrez which allows Rosberg and Hamilton to close in. This is the fight for seventh.
Using DRS the Red Bull driver passes the Sauber, Rosberg passing the Mexican in T9. Hamilton makes slightly harder work of it.
Gutierrez now finds himself under attack from di Resta and Massa as Webber and friends set about closing the 7.9s gap to Hulkenberg.
Di Resta makes short work of Gutierrez with Massa also passing the Sauber a couple of corners later.
Out front, with 17 minutes remaining, Vettel leads Alonso by 11.9s. Button is third, 9.9s down on the Ferrari and just 0.4s ahead of Raikkonen. Perez is fifth, 2.6s down on Raikkonen and 1.6s ahead of Hulkenberg who has Webber and friends closing in.
As Raikkonen hounds Button, ninth placed Hamilton goes quickest in S1.
"OK Mark, a podium is eight seconds ahead." Easier said than done, the Red Bull driver is currently seventh, admittedly all over Hulkenberg.
Some excellent drives here today in a race which has been brought alive by that Safety Car.
A brave move, which is rightly applauded in his garage, sees Webber nail Hulkenberg in T7. The Australian then setting his sights on Perez.
An equally fantastic move sees Raikkonen go around the outside at T14 to nail Button, brilliant stuff.
As Webber battles Perez, Hulkenberg is told to fight for position. Elsewhere, di Resta goes into the barriers at T7, his race is over.
Webber has passed Perez unseen and is now all over Button, the Mercedes duo close on the Mexican like hounds chasing a mortally wounded deer.
Both McLarens are struggling, particularly Perez who is under pressure from the feuding Mercedes duo.
Rosberg nails the Mexican in T1, however, Hamilton is unable to take advantage of the stunned Mexican. Indeed, the Mercedes driver is under attack from Massa.
As in Italy, Webber is told to short-shift.
Rosberg nails Button at almost the same time as his teammate passes Perez, Webber told to short-shift all his gears.
Massa and Hulkenberg close on the McLarens. The Brazilian passes Perez and within two corners has taken Button also. Webber under increasing pressure from his weary gearbox.
Further back, Hulkenberg and Sutil battle for the sole point for tenth, the pair all over the back of Perez.
Rosberg is right up with Webber, the Australian unable to do a thing when the German makes his move. "In trouble mate, in trouble," he tells his crew. Hamilton closes in and passes the Red Bull as the Renault engine appears to die.
As Vettel takes the flag, his teammate, having been passed by Massa, pulls to the side of the track, flames leaping from the pack of the car.
Behind Vettel, Alonso takes a superb second while Raikkonen takes an equally astounding third. Rosberg is fourth, ahead of Hamilton, Massa, Button, Perez, Hulkenberg and Sutil. For all his hard work, Webber doesn't get a point, though he does hitch a ride (Senna/Mansell style) with Alonso.
Maldonado is eleventh, ahead of Gutierrez, Bottas, Vergne, Webber, Van der Garde, Chilton, Bianchi, Pic and di Resta.
Very much a race of two halves, Singarbore giving way to Singasizzler, courtesy of a Safety Car period that totally turned the race on its head.
Pukka!
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