16/09/2018
NEWS STORY
We would very much like to think that Stoffel Vandoorne, in light of his recent dumping by McLaren, had his tongue very firmly in his cheek last night when he said: "Anything can happen here in Singapore. There's 100 per cent chance of a safety car so there'll probably be one at some point!"
Other than having a word with his teammate, the youngster might think about seeking out the portly Italian flogging knocked-off Kimoa sunglasses and Tees at the main entrance... if anyone can help out with an on-demand safety car, he can.
Crashgate aside, we only have to look back twelve months to know that anything can happen here, and probably will.
Following Monza, Sebastian Vettel really needs to get his championship back on track, but the German's spirit must have been crushed that little bit more by Lewis Hamilton's Q3 stunner. While he did his best to put a brave face on things, there was no mistaking the German's disappointment.
This, after all, is Mercedes bogey track, yet here's Hamilton on pole, and 0.6s quicker.
Having been a victim of Vettel's overenthusiasm a year ago, Max Verstappen will be keen to get a clean start, the Dutchman aware that this is probably his last remaining chance of a win this season. Then again, his 'king of the overtakers' teammate must be fancying his chances.
In the midst of all that we have the two Finns, both seeking that elusive first win of the season, and both with a point to prove in terms of their teammates.
Behind the usual suspects that are the 'big six', 'big three' or whatever you want to call them, the midfield is as fraught as ever.
This time around, certainly in terms of qualifying, it's advantage Sergio Perez, though, as ever, his teammate is in close proximity. Romain Grosjean, will be seeking to make up for the disappointment of his Monza qualification, while Nico Hulkenberg will be wanting to get one over on his Haas rival on track rather than in the stewards room.
And then it gets really interesting.
Such is the performance gap between the hypersofts and ultrasofts, everyone used the pink-banded rubber in qualifying. Mercedes took a gamble in Q1 and Ferrari in Q2, both failed.
However, the hypers degrade very, very quickly, which is bad news for the leading ten, because behind them, starting with eleventh-placed Fernando Alonso, the drivers have a free choice and most will likely opt to start on the more durable ultras or softs.
As a result, tyre strategy is likely to be more important here than at any other race.
According to Pirelli the fastest option is a one-stopper, staring on ultrasofts for 24 laps, then softs to the flag. But this isn't an option for the top ten. Nearly as quick is another one-stopper; starting on hypersofts for 13 laps, and then softs to the flag.
Alternatively, a two-stopper, which is nearly as quick as a one-stopper in Singapore, means starting on the hypersofts for 11 laps, then two stints on ultrasofts of 25 laps each.
Of course, an early safety car - and every running of the Singapore Grand Prix has witnessed at least one appearance - would allow the front runners to pit early to rid themselves of their hypersofts... which is where our portly Italian friend comes in.
As is so often the case, indeed, as we witnessed in Monza - and here last year - the race cannot be won in the first corner or the first lap, but it can be lost.
While Hamilton merely has to keep himself to himself, and not attempt any early tangles with 'Mad Max', the onus is on Vettel to produce a result.
The pitlane opens, and Vettel is among the first out.
Last out for the anthem on the other hand is Alonso, who was probably having words with a certain T-Shirt salesman. First glimpse, suggests that Hamilton is hitting the grid kid in front of him with his Mercedes cap, but he's actually fanning himself.
Indeed, as the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 29.8 degrees C, while the track temperature is 33.9.
In terms of tyres, behind the leading ten, who are all on the hypersofts, only Gasly and Hartley also opt for the pink-banded rubber while Stroll goes for softs.
Hamilton leads the field away on the warm-up lap. A couple of minutes later, the grid forms, Verstappen making his intentions clear as he points his car at the first corner.
They get through the first corner without incident but further around, at T3, Ocon hits the wall after being squeezed out by his teammate. As Vettel passes Verstappen on the straight for second, the safety car is deployed.
"I got hit by Sergio badly," reports Ocon. "Sorry guys, there was no room," explains Perez. "I didn't see him."
The incident is under investigation.
As the field continues behind the safety car, the camera picks up on Sirotkin who has a piece of Ocon's wheel rim wedged on to his front wing. The Russian pits to have it removed.
At the end of lap 4, the safety car is withdrawn as Verstappen reports a "false neutral".
No further action re the Panthers incident.
Hamilton controls the re-start perfectly, sparks fills the air as the field gets up to speed again.
Hamilton leads Vettel, Verstappen, Bottas, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Perez, Grosjean, Alonso and Sainz.
As Hamilton builds a 1s comfort cushion, Verstappen hangs on to the tail of Vettel's Ferrari.
"You know what to do on the tyres," the youngster is told.
Lap 7 sees Vettel post a new fastest lap (47.397) as the gap to Hamilton remains around the one-second mark.
That message to Verstappen appears to have referred to temperatures for the Red Bull driver has backed off a little.
"The car's really good," reports Verstappen, though he doesn't mention the product in the back.
After 9 laps, the field is very evenly spread, only the Toro Rosso duo within a second of the respective drivers in front.
"There's a lot left in the tyres," reports Hamilton.
Vettel is told that Hamilton has reported that there's not a lot left in his tyres. "I don't believe him," says the German. Clearly a communication mistake from Ferrari.
As if to prove how good his tyres are, lap 12 sees a new fastest lap from Hamilton who stops the clock at 44.929.
At the end of lap 14, Vettel pits. Switching to ultras he rejoins in 7th.
Hamilton responds with purples in the first two sectors. "Give it everything you have," he is told.
Sure enough, he pits at the end of lap 15, Mercedes responding to the undercut. Switching to softs, the Briton rejoins in 5th ahead of Perez and Vettel. Hulkenberg also pits, switching to ultras.
As Vettel follows Perez, the Mexican refusing to yield, Bottas pits.
Finally, Vettel passes Perez and sets about making the most of his faster ultras.
"The tyres are a little bit soft," reports race leader Verstappen. Moments later the Red Bull driver pits. Switching to softs he rejoins alongside Vettel. The two briefly duel but the Red Bull has the line. Perez also pitted.
"Yes!!" says Verstappen of his shutting out of Vettel. "OK, focus," he is told.
Now, after 18 laps, Raikkonen leads Ricciardo, with Alonso up to seventh, ahead of Sainz and Gasly.
"No chance, again, we're too late," says Vettel, the German adding that "these tyres won't make it to the end." He's on the ultras, and will indeed have to stop again, while Hamilton and Verstappen ahead, and Bottas behind, are on the slower softs that will go the distance.
Verstappen is told of Vettel's radio warnings.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore, here.
As Raikkonen stays out on his hypers, the question is, will Ferrari use the Finn to back-up Hamilton and Verstappen to Vettel's benefit. Then again, Ricciardo, just 2s behind The Iceman, could be a spanner in the strategy.
That said, Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 22, which begs the question will Ricciardo work for his teammate's benefit. Hamilton is currently 9.3s behind the Australian. Raikkonen rejoins in sixth on softs.
In seventh, Alonso heads a chain of six drivers - Sainz, Gasly, Leclerc, Ericsson, Magnussen and Vandoorne - who have yet to pit.
Stuck behind Sirotkin in sixteenth, Perez is getting increasingly frustrated.
While there was a 10% chance of rain, Ricciardo is warned of possible "drizzle", as Christian Horner looks to the skies.
A great move sees Leclerc take Gasly for ninth, the two clearly struggling on their worn rubber.
Next time around the Frenchman pits, as does Magnussen.
Ricciardo finally pits at the end of lap 27, the Australian rejoining in sixth behind Raikkonen. Like Vettel, he's on the ultrasofts.
Consequently Hamilton now leads Verstappen by 4.6s with Vettel a further 2.4s behind.
"Charlie not doing anything about him," asks Perez of Sirotkin, "does he want me to crash."
Alonso and his fellow drivers are now in a bit of a quandary, they have to stop but nobody wants to be the first.
"This is a joke," complains Perez, aware that he is losing ground to Alonso. Of course, the Mexican's failure to pass Sirotkin, is also compromising the efforts of Hulkenberg and Grosjean. However, fact is, Sirotkin is racing Perez for track position. Shades of Petrov and Alonso in Abu Dhabi?
"Keep doing what you're doing," Sirotkin is told. Indeed, with six drivers yet to pit, the Russian, despite his lack of pace, could still be looking at a points finish.
At which point, 11th placed Vandoorne is warned he needs another 7s on Sirotkin.
On lap 34, Perez makes a move on Sirotkin and they clash. Initial thoughts are that the Mexican clouted the Williams in frustration. Shortly after, Hulkenberg passes the Williams with a textbook move.
Perez pits with a left-rear puncture.
Watching the incident again, Perez had passed the Williams but the Russian subsequently fought back. The clash still looking to be the fault of the Mexican.
"More brake management, how about Plan C," Vettel is told.
The Perez/Sirotkin incident is under investigation.
On lap 36, down in sixth, Ricciardo posts a new fastest lap (44.778).
Hamilton is concerned about his tyres but he is told there is no issue.
The Briton closes on Grosjean and Gasly who are following Sirotkin. The traffic allows Verstappen to close to within 0.171s.
As Sirotkin forces Grosjean wide, Hamilton is almost caught up in the skirmish, allowing Verstappen to close right in.
Eventually Hamilton and Verstappen pass the feuding back-markers, while Vettel also closes in, the German now 2.5s down on the Red Bull.
"These guys are crazy," reports Hamilton. "What the **** are they doing?" adds Verstappen. "These guys are racing," comes the reply.
Perez gets a drive through penalty... which should please him.
Ironically, having pitted following his puncture, Perez is back behind Sirotkin, this time passing him with ease.
In the midst of all that, Alonso has pitted, as has Sainz, the McLaren driver still in seventh.
As Stroll pits at the end of lap 41, Ericsson and Vandoorne are the only drivers still to do so.
After 42 laps, it's: Hamilton, Verstappen, Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Alonso, Ericsson, Sainz and Vandoorne.
Following a very nice move on Hartley, it appears Magnussen and the Kiwi are under investigation, the Dane appearing to have run wide... and then some.
Grosjean is given a 5s time penalty for ignoring blue flags, as Leclerc is all over the back of Vandoorne. However, next time around the Belgian pits.
As a result of Vandoorne's stop, after 44 laps Ericsson is the only driver still to stop.
On fresh rubber, albeit 56s down on sixth-placed Ricciardo, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (43.518).
Ericsson finally pits. The Swede rejoins in eleventh.
As Perez, having served his penalty, passes Sirotkin for the umpteenth time this afternoon, the Russian is handed a drive-through for forcing Hartley off track.
6.8s down on Verstappen, who is 3.6s down on Hamilton, Vettel posts a PB (44.669).
Advised of Hamilton's times, Verstappen is warned "not to bolt too early".
"Ignore the brake alarm, ignore the brake alarm," Raikkonen is advised, before the disconnected voice adds: "for the moment". They don't call him The Iceman for nothing.
The Finn has closed to within 0.002s of Bottas, with Ricciardo just 1.5s behind.
"Why no blue flags," asks Bottas as Raikkonen closes in. "We're looking at that," he is advised.
Elsewhere, Hamilton loses time passing... well, he's Russian, he's in a Williams, take a wild guess.
Down in 18th, on fresh rubber, Magnussen posts a new fastest lap, the Dane crossing the line at 41.905.
Like Force India, this has been a race to forget for Haas, Magnussen is currently 18th while Grosjean is 13th and with a time penalty.
Unhappy that the driver ahead, Hulkenberg, isn't being blue-flagged, Bottas is advised that the gap is more than the requisite 1.2s.
Hamilton also concerned at the lack of respect for the blue flags.
17.8s down on the leader, and now 40 points behind in the title fight, this has been a poor weekend for Vettel.
"This is not acceptable," complains Bottas, though Hulkenberg is lapping 0.2s quicker.
Hulkenberg passes the car in front of him, meaning that Bottas now has another obstacle ahead. Again, he's Russian, he's in a Williams...
Down in 17th, Perez is now battling Hartley for 16th.
As Hamilton begins his final lap, Verstappen is 8.7s behind and Vettel a further 28.3s. Raikkonen is 0.977 down on Bottas with Ricciardo 0.822s behind.
Hamilton wins.
"Keep pushing, keep pushing," he tells Bono over the radio, "we've got these guys." Indeed he and Mercedes seemingly have.
If Monza was a misery for Vettel and Ferrari, Singapore must be considered singularly unimpressive.
Hamilton now heads to Russia with as 40 point advantage, while Mercedes extends its advantage to 37 points.
Hamilton, wins ahead of Verstappen, Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Alonso, Sainz, Leclerc and Hulkenberg.
Ericsson is eleventh, ahead of Vandoorne, Gasly, Stroll, Grosjean, Perez, Hartley, Magnussen and Sirotkin, with the hapless Ocon the day's only DNF.
"I'm spent," admits Hamilton. "That was a tough race. We had a great start. The team have just never given up faith and belief in me and in Valtteri and in our ability, and it is a blessing. It was a long race. That felt like the longest race of my life, so I'm glad it's over. Max put up a good fight as well, but what a day, what a weekend. I feel super blessed.
"I was a little bit unlucky with the traffic," he adds. "These guys were moving around, it was quite difficult to follow. I think Max was a little bit luckier getting by some of the guys in terms of what point on the track and the guys weren't letting me by. Jeez, it was definitely close and my heart was definitely in my mouth for a minute but once I got clear of them I was able to put the pedal down and pull away."
"It was not bad," says Verstappen. "A shame from the first lap, but you can clearly see we miss top speed. But from there on the team had a great strategy so we could get back into second. Basically we did our own race, tried to follow Lewis a little bit and at the end we knew second was going to be result so you just bring it home.
"It was not a perfect getaway," he says of his pit stop, "but also behind the safety car it was almost bogging down, false neutrals, so a lot of problems but still, very happy with second."
"I think overall we were not fast enough," admits Vettel. "We didn't have the pace in the race. But also I think we tried to be aggressive in the beginning and obviously it didn't work out. After that I think I had a different race from the other guys, on a different tyre, and I wasn't very convinced that we could make it to the end, but pitting wasn't an option because you lose too much time in the pit stop. So we just focused on making it home.
"I think today with the way we raced we didn't have a chance," he adds. "There might be something extra in the fact that maybe we were not quick enough but I think I said before the weekend we can only beat ourselves and we didn't get everything out of the package."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore, here.