Seven-Up: Lewis Hamilton, The Stevenage Speedster, is poised to become the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1 racing. His podium finish in third place in Singapore has given him seven point advantage over Felipe Massa, the Brazilian driver led the race from pole position but failed to score any points after a botched pit stop by the Ferrari team. Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe’s teammate and defending world champion, is Flop of the Year having failed to finish in the points in the last four races. His last Grand Prix victory was in April.
McLaren is one point ahead of Ferrari in the constructor’s championship, a great come back for a team which was fined US$100m and stripped of all points after the Spygate scandal last year.
Lewis will be well advised to reflect on recent and past history where championships were lost despite leading going into the final round. Apart from his own meltdown of a 17-point lead with two races remaining, the Boulevard of Broken Dreams include Carlos Reutemann, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell.
The sun and the championship challenge will rise again in Japan on October 12 at Fuji Speedway.
Podcast # 306.
Di Montezemolo not too happy with Singapore GP!
Piquet lucky to finish season with Renault.
The F1weekly race review and more Bravo Bravo Bravo.
Motorsports Mondial with the King.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Muy macho hombre de Singapore: Working on the night moves Fernando Alonso claims an unexpected but well deserved win in the inaugural Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, the first Formula 1 world championship event to be staged after sunset. The beleaguered two time world champion and the so far win less Renault team were humming with pride and excitement as the Spaniard came from 15th. on the grid to score his 20th. Grand Prix win and 50th. podium finish of his career.
Good times were also ringing for Nico Rosberg as he scored his career best finish in second place for the AT&T Williams-Toyota team. Lewis Hamilton, in his Vodaphone McLaren-Mercedes, had a call waiting to extend his championship lead to seven points by finishing third. A disconnect of the fuel rig during a pit stop ended pole-sitter and championship challenger Felipe Massa’s chances of victory and he failed to finish in the points. Misery loves company as his much heralded and defending world champion teammate Kimi Raikkonen crashed out late in the race.
Night action now moves to the land of the rising sun in two weeks where Lewis Hamilton drowned the competition in torrential downpour last year in the first race on the revised Toyota-owned Mt. Fuji circuit.
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO Fantastico!
Fernando Alonso wins the Singapore GP.
Nico driving the Williams to second spot.
Hamilton continues to lead up to 84 points with P3.
The Singapore Grand Prix
Singapore, Singapore;
61 laps; 309.087km;
Weather: Dry.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Alonso Renault (B) 1h57:16.304
2. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 2.957
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 5.917
4. Glock Toyota (B) + 8.155
5. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 10.268
6. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 11.101
7. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) + 16.387
8. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 18.489
9. Button Honda (B) + 19.885
10. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 26.902
11. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 27.975
12. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 29.432
13. Massa Ferrari (B) + 35.170
14. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) + 43.571
15. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 4 laps
Fastest lap: Raikkonen, 1:45.599
Not classified/retirements:
Driver Team On lap
Trulli Toyota (B) 51
Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 50
Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 30
Barrichello Honda (B) 15
Piquet Renault (B) 14
Thanks Paul you were terrific!! 1925 – 2008
Felipe Massa takes pole position in Singapore!
Lewis Hamilton grabs second on the front row.
Kimi settles for third place for Ferrari.
Fernando’ Renault looses power in Q2 starts 15th.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps
1. Massa Ferrari 1:44.519 1:44.014 1:44.801 16
2. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:44.501 1:44.932 1:45.465 14
3. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:44.282 1:44.232 1:45.617 16
4. Kubica BMW Sauber 1:44.740 1:44.519 1:45.779 18
5. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:44.311 1:44.207 1:45.873 19
6. Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:45.548 1:44.520 1:45.964 19
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:45.042 1:44.261 1:46.244 15
8. Glock Toyota 1:45.184 1:44.441 1:46.328 21
9. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:45.103 1:44.429 1:46.611 17
10. Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:45.127 1:44.826 1:47.547 20
11. Trulli Toyota 1:45.642 1:45.038 12
12. Button Honda 1:45.660 1:45.133 14
13. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:45.493 1:45.212 12
14. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault 1:46.028 1:45.298 16
15. Alonso Renault 1:44.971 6
16. Piquet Renault 1:46.037 6
17. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:46.389 6
18. Barrichello Honda 1:46.583 7
19. Sutil Force India-Ferrari 1:47.940 10
20. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari No time 2
