27/09/2009
NEWS STORY
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Barring a major catastrophe today's race appears to belong to one man, though there are two others out there clearly in a position to give him a good run.
The man is Lewis Hamilton, who starts from pole position for the third time this year, while Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg are the two drivers most likely to give him a hard time.
While some are claiming that it was Barrichello's accident that gave Hamilton pole position, a quick look at the fuel loads reveals that as one of the heaviest runners - certainly at the front of the pack - the 2008 champion had around half-a-second in hand. That said, Vettel might well have sprung a surprise.
The McLarens have looked good all weekend, certainly Hamilton, and the late crash in Monza tells us that the reigning champion is as feisty as ever.
Vettel needs a good result in order to give his championship hopes a boost while Rosberg - for many the moral winner here is 2008 - surely deserves something after what has been a very, very strong season. Providing one forgets about Monza.
Jenson Button, after a dreadful qualifying session, will be hoping to be dealt another 'get out of jail' card today, having already watched his teammate incur a five place grid penalty. However, while his rivals have missed numerous open goals in recent weeks, surely Vettel has to close the championship gap by at least 6 points today.
That said, we have had three red flags thus far this weekend and therefore it is safe to say that there is every likelihood of a Safety Car this afternoon, though hopefully not in a vain attempt to secure a seat for next season or to keep a team in the sport.
As ever, the most likely time we'll have a serious incident is on the first lap, and Button - who is starting from twelfth - will be only too aware. That said, so too will his championship rival and teammate, who, following his grid penalty, starts from tenth.
Providing there are no reliability issues, other than Hamilton, Vettel and Rosberg, Webber should be able to pick up some points today, assuming he doesn't get taken out by the pursuing pack at the start, while Alonso, Kubica and Glock could also add to their tally.
After the excitement of Spa and Monza, Force India have come back to earth with a rude awakening, though it is interesting to note that Tonio Liuzzi has adopted a strategy not entirely dissimilar to Fernando Alonso's from last year. No doubt Max Mosley will be watching to see if Sutil crashes at Turn 17 on the fourteenth lap.
After the scandal of last year, and considering the amount of work the Singaporeans have put into this, F1 owes them a great race, though sadly, it is unlikely they'll get it, for this, like most street circuits, doesn't show F1 in a good light. If you'll forgive the obvious pun.
An hour before the start, it is revealed that Nick Heidfeld, who qualified eighth, will start from the pitlane after his car was found to be underweight. Investigating the reason for the weight discrepancy BMW found that incorrect ballast weights had been fitted to the car.
Having reported the discovery to the FIA, and the German having been demoted to the back of the grid, the team opted to change the engine and gearbox in the car. This is the German's ninth engine of the season.
As the cars assemble on the grid it's a beautiful clear night, and while there are flashes of lightning in the distance it is not thought the storm will pass over the track. That said, we have a two hour race ahead of us, and the weather can change dramatically at very short notice in this part of the world.
The experts had been predicting rain for all three days of the GP weekend, but thus far it hasn't materialised, certainly during an actual session.
It's a short run to the first complex of corners, and Hamilton will need to make full use of his KERS. Once again, McLaren and Woking are the only teams using the system.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 30 degrees, while the track temperature is 33 degrees. Humidity is 66%.
Tyre options this weekend are prime (soft) and option (super-soft). The option is quicker, naturally, but there are doubts regarding its durability especially at the rear.
The tyre warmers come off and everyone appears to have gone for the prime tyre. Everyone, except Liuzzi.
They're away, and Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso all make storming starts, unlike Vettel. However, Alonso having got ahead of Vettel, gets it all wrong and subsequently loses out to Webber and then Glock. Elsewhere, Kubica passes Kovalainen, but thankfully there are no incidents.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel, Webber, Glock, Alonso, Barrichello, Kubica, Kovalainen and Button.
At the end of lap 2, Hamilton has a 1.4s advantage of Rosberg who is 1.3s clear of Vettel. Raikkonen is down in thirteenth as Fisichella is up to sixteenth.
Grosjean pits at the end of lap 3, the Frenchman appearing to park his car, a sad conclusion to a miserable weekend for the rookie.
Hamilton, Vettel and Glock are all pushing hard, however, it is the Englishman who posts a string of fastest laps as he extends his lead over Rosberg to 1.9s.
On Lap 5, Hamilton is warned that he has a "KERS issue", he is told to disable the systems and change the setting to "default X30". Rosberg closes to within 1.5s.
Despite the KERS issue, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (48.700), as Vettel continues to shadow Rosberg. Webber, who appears to have made an unseen mistake and lost position, has Barrichello all over the back of him.
A replay then reveals that Webber was told to allow Alonso and Glock by following an incident earlier the race when he passed the Spaniard by going off track. "Why Glock," asks the Australian, "because he's behind Alonso," is the reply.
On lap 9, Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (48.352), however, the gap remains steady at around 2s.
Fisichella, who is 0.6s down on Sutil, is advised that the German has an overheating issue. Time for the Ferrari driver to sort out his former Force India teammate.
Lots of cars following other cars, but nobody is really willing to take a gamble and make a move. Then again, on a street track who can blame them?
In fourteenth, Alguersuari heads a train of five cars, Sutil, Fisichella, Liuzzi, Trulli and Heidfeld. As Sutil does all in his power to pass the Toro Rosso he has his mirrors filled with Ferrari.
Raikkonen makes the most of a mistake by Buemi and nips through to take twelfth.
Liuzzi goes off track in his desperation to pass Fisichella and succeeds, however, it is sure to lead to a penalty.
Replay shows what appears to be a front wing endplate fall from Glock's fourth-placed Toyota.
Out front, after 14 laps, Hamilton leads by 3s, with Vettel 1.7s down on Rosberg but 12.4s clear of Glock. Alonso is fifth, ahead of Webber, Barrichello, Kubica, Kovalainen and Button.
At the end of lap 17, as Vettel pits, a marshal runs out to recover the piece of debris from Glock's car. Vettel re-joins the race just behind Barrichello, much to Ross Brawn's delight.
Next time around it is Rosberg that pits, the German making a mistake as he leaves the pits and crosses the kerb which appears to be part of the notorious white line. Webber also pits as do Fisichella and Liuzzi.
Barrichello and Glock both pit at the end of lap 19, as Hamilton now leads Alonso by 26s.
At the end of lap 20 Hamilton pits, as the Race Stewards announce that they are investigating the Rosberg incident.
Hamilton rejoins still leading as there's an incident involving a Force India and a BMW. The replay shows Sutil spinning as he attempts to pass Alguersuari. As the German attempts to get going he is clouted by Heidfeld. Out comes the Safety Car.
Alonso, Kovalainen, Button, Nakajima and Raikkonen all pit as the Race Stewards announce that Rosberg has incurred a drive-through.
After 21 laps, and behind the Safety Car, Hamilton leads Rosberg, with Vettel third, ahead of Glock, Alonso, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Button, Webber and Kubica. Rosberg still to serve his drive-through.
Meanwhile, the replay shows that Alguersuari jumps the gun at his pit-stop and starts to head off with the fuel hose still attached, but not to the same degree as Massa last year. A couple of crew members are knocked over but they are soon back on their feet.
Rosberg is told: "When the Safety Car comes in you'll need to follow it in and serve your drive-through." Bitter luck for the Williams driver.
While Heidfeld has already retired, Sutil now drives into the pits, his race seemingly over also.
At the end of lap 25, the silver Mercedes with Bert Maylander at the wheel pulls off into the pitlane. However, the blue and white Williams with Nico Rosberg at the wheel carries on around hot on the heels of Hamilton. The German stays out on track next time around also, though he has one more lap in which to serve his sentence.
Sure enough, at the end of lap 27, Rosberg peels off into the pits, rejoining way down in fourteenth his race virtually done. Hopefully, the GPDA will speak out over the tightness of the pitlane exit.
Race Stewards announce that they are investigating the Sutil/Heidfeld incident.
With Rosberg out of the picture, Hamilton and Vettel are separated by just one second with Glock a further 3.5s behind.
"You have to keep the gap to Vettel," Glock is told, "we can get him, we can get him!" In response, the German actually loses ground to the Red Bull, falling back into the clutches of Alonso.
Button is all over the back of Kovalainen, however, when we say "all over the back of" we actually mean that he's right behind him and showing no sign of making a move. Welcome to Singapore.
As if proof were needed of just how boring and action-stifling this track is, Rosberg is still in fourteenth, 0.5s behind Trulli.
Rosberg pits at the end of lap 34, if nothing else, the early stop means he's no longer stuck behind Trulli. He is now on the option tyre.
"We know it's open Timo," Glock is told, "keep like this, keep like this". The German is 4.5s down on Vettel but 5.4 clear of Alonso.
From out of nowhere, Hamilton produces a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 48.345. Vettel is now just 0.9s behind the McLaren.
Replay shows more debris on the track as Vettel loses the mirror on the right-hand side of his cockpit.
Rosberg makes a great move on Alguersuari, moving the Williams driver up to sixteenth.
At the end of lap 39 Vettel pits. 8.4s later he's heading down the pitlane rejoining in seventh behind Button. Meanwhile, Buemi, who had just pitted, needs to make another stop as a result of a fuel rig problem.
Race Stewards announce that Vettel is under investigation for speeding in the pitlane. Meanwhile, a replay shows the Red Bull throwing up some debris, possibly from his diffuser. One way or another his challenge, both in terms of this race and the championship, appear to be over.
With 20 laps remaining, it's: Hamilton, Glock, Alonso, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Button, Vettel, Webber, Kubica and Nakajima.
"Stay focussed, we are still racing for fourth or fifth," Vettel is told, having been advised that he does need to serve a drive-through.
At the end of lap 43 the German comes in to serve his penalty, he rejoins in ninth ahead of Raikkonen.
Webber, who has had a quiet afternoon and is now running in eighth, has clouds of brake dust billowing from his car as he makes his stop on lap 44. He rejoins in fourteenth.
Glock pits at the end of lap 45, handing second place to Alonso. The German rejoins in sixth.
It's all over for Webber as the camera cut to his Red Bull which has gone backwards into the tyre wall. Hamilton, Kovalainen and Barrichello all pit, mindful of the fact that the Safety Car could be making another appearance. Replay suggests that it was brake failure.
Fisichella, Nakajima, Liuzzi and Alguersuari all pit, as Button moves up to third, the World Championship leader having appeared to benefit from yet another 'get out of jail free' card.
At the end of lap 47, Alonso leads Hamilton by 3.9s, though the Spaniard still has to stop. Button is third, though he also needs to pit, ahead of Glock and Vettel.
Both Toro Rossos in the pits and both are pushed in to their garages, synchronised retirements for the Faenza outfit.
Button posts personal bests in the first two sectors, closing to within 9.7s of the (temporary) race leader. But why leave it so late? Down in seventh, Barrichello ups his pace also.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 50, rejoining in fourth. Meanwhile, the Brawn crew prepares for Button's arrival.
Sure enough, the Englishman pits at the end of lap 51, as Barrichello is warned that it will be tight. The World Championship leader rejoins the track just ahead of his teammate. Elsewhere, Vettel runs wide at Turn 1.
After 52 laps, Hamilton leads Glock by 8.8s with Alonso a further 7.1s behind. Vettel is fourth, 7s shy of the Spaniard and only 2.7s clear of Button. Barrichello sixth, ahead of Kovalainen, Kubica, Nakajima and Raikkonen.
On lap 43 Alonso posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 48.240.
Aware of the fact that Webber went out with a brake problem, Button closes in on Vettel, closing the gap to 1.5s. Meanwhile, the German falls 8.2s behind Alonso.
With six laps remaining, Kubica and Nakajima are having a great scrap for eighth, the sole remaining point.
Replay shows that Button might have his own brake worries, the Brawn billowing dust. Indeed, suddenly his lap-times take a dip. Better fourth than nothing.
Ross Brawn comes over the radio, urging Button to ease off and concentrate of getting the car to the finish.
Raikkonen puts pressure on Nakajima, thereby giving Kubica a breather.
As Hamilton begins his final lap, Button is now almost 3s off the pace of the other drivers.
The reigning World Champion takes the flag, his crew rightly describing his performance as "faultless from start to finish".
It was an excellent, faultless drive from the English younger, but - and this for you Paul Jacobs - one of the most mindnumbingly boring races we can recall. Bernie will talk it up, the teams and drivers will talk it up, but the reality is that this track, like Valencia, isn't working. Whether it is the fact that it is a street track, or whether it is the gimmickry of a night race, we don't know, but the plain fact is that it is boring. That said, the deal is done and we're stuck with it.
Behind Hamilton, a fantastic performance from Timo Glock gives Toyota its best ever result and deservedly so, a fantastic performance.
A year after his 'dodgy win here, Fernando Alonso takes a well deserved third place, giving Bob Bell and his boys something positive to take to Japan next week.
That said, Glock and Alonso, like several other drivers here, most notably Jenson Button, benefited as a result of the Safety Car and also the driver-through penalties incurred by Rosberg and Vettel. However, rules are rules, and the penalties robbed us of what might have been a grandstand finish they apply to everyone.
The jury is out on Button. Had it not been for the drive-throughs and Safety Car he might well have finished seventh or eighth, yet late is the race he suddenly upped his game. Once again, the Englishman falls into the much and emerges smelling of roses.
Barrichello at least keeps in touch with his teammate, hoping to take the championship fight all the way to Abu Dhabi, while Kovalainen, with another iffy performance, has probably seals his own fate in terms of a McLaren drive next season.
The final point goes to Robert Kubica and Alonso, the Pole denying Nakajima and Williams the chance of taking anything away from their Singapore weekend.
All in all, a fine performance from Hamilton, but other than constantly yawning during the final laps of the race, the phrase that kept going through our heads was "are we there yet?"
Uniquely Singapore? Uniquely boring!
Got that Paul?
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