“Vettel blasts through the Singapore waterfront to take another peerless victory”
SINGAPORE
PRE RACE
It is a beautiful evening at the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore. Balmy night temperatures complimented by the array of lights on the various skyscrapers create a postcard perfect setting. There is a fantastic festive atmosphere at the track: a night race like this just lends itself to an almost Mardi gras type of carnival and party spirit. The stadiums are packed and the lighting in the stands is very good, enough to provide sufficient light for the spectators; yet not so bright as to detract from the lighting on the track.
Kobayashi had a big off in Qualifying: less than a minute into the 2nd qualifying session he misjudged the kerbs in the chicane and launched his car skyward before it ploughed into a concrete barrier. Luckily he walked away unscathed. There was about a 5 minute delay as the marshals cleared his car and the resultant wreckage.
Team RBR-Renault was again dominant in Qualifying, and Vettel posted a blinder of a lap to take pole position; with his team mate Webber qualifying alongside him on the front row of the grid. Team RBR-Renault has taken pole position in every race so far this year – no mean feat considering that this is the 14th race of the season.
START
Numerous VIP’s and stars are in attendance, all adding to the glitz and glamour that is F1 racing. The likes of Sir Richard Branson and the recording artist Ludicrous are filtering around the garages and grid. Party goers at the “F1 Rocks” pre-race party have been entertained by the band Linkin Park, Shakira and Rick Astley (remember him?). The F1 magic is here – can you feel it?
The scene is set. For the patient fans the waiting is over and it is time to savour the thrill of F1 racing. The air is heavy with pre-race tension. Red lights blink at the rear of the cars as they set off on their installation lap. For the drivers this lap is all about getting a feel for the track and generating as much heat as possible in the brakes and tyres. The cars once more take up their respective grid positions. The top 10, with the exception of Di Resta have all elected to start on the Pirelli “supersoft” compound tyres – these will offer maximum traction off the line and also be the fastest during the critical opening laps of the Grand Prix. Tension builds as each driver feathers the throttle and 750 brake horse power growls at the night sky.
One by one the 5 red lights come on…
Ready? Lights out!
We are racing in Singapore!
RACE
Lap 1
The cars charge down into Turn 1. A good start from pole-sitter Vettel, Button and also Alonso. Webber, once again has a sluggish start, losing a few positions. Behind them there is a slight contact between Massa and Rosberg. The balance of the field tiptoe around Turn 1 without any major incidents.
The Order on Lap 1 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button, Alonso, Webber, Massa, Rosberg, Schumacher, Hamilton, Sutil and Di Resta.
Lap 2
Liuzzi has a slight incident and loses his front wing.
Lap 3
Vettel is already opening up a gap on his rivals.
Lap 4
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:54:935
Hamilton takes Schumacher for 7th position – good move.
Lap 5
Hamilton takes Rosberg for 6th position.
The McLaren-Mercedes driver is really flying at this stage.
The Order on Lap 5 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@5,888s), Alonso (@7,183s), Webber (@8,000s), Massa (@9,163s), Hamilton (@13,855s), Rosberg, Schumacher, Sutil and Di Resta.
Lap 8
Vettel is still on a charge, opening up a 9,219s gap over 2nd placed Button.
Lap 9
Hamilton is putting pressure on 5th placed Massa.
Webber is putting pressure on 3rd placed Alonso.
Lap 10
Rosberg pits – from 7th – rejoins 16th.
(Pit Lane time: 29,549s. Pit-stop time: 3,2s).
Webber takes Alonso for 3rd position – awesome move.
Lap 11
Alonso pits – from 4th – rejoins 11th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,621s. Pit-stop time: 4,1s).
Schumacher pits – from 8th – rejoins 17th.
Senna pits.
Glock retires his Virgin-Cosworth at the side of the track, after a slight accident.
Lap 12
Hamilton pits – from 5th – rejoins 9th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,142s. Pit-stop time: 4,0s).
Massa pits – from 4th – rejoins 8th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,290s. Pit-stop time: 2,9s).
There is a battle between the pit crews to see who can get their car out first, as these two drivers pitted at virtually the same time.
Buemi pits.
Kovalainen pits.
On their first out-lap from the pits, Hamilton attempts to pass Massa. There is contact as Hamilton’s front wing hits Massa’s rear tyre. Hamilton’s wing is damaged and Massa suffers a rear puncture.
Lap 13
Webber pits – from 3rd – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,482s. Pit-stop time: 3,8s).
Barichello pits.
Massa pits for a new set of tyres.
Lap 14
Cars 3 (Hamilton) and 6 (Massa) are under investigation by the Stewards for a racing incident.
Hamilton pits – from 8th – rejoins 16th.
(New front wing and tyres).
Lap 15
Race leader Vettel pits – rejoins 1st.
(Pit Lane time: 30,900s. Pit-stop time: 3,2s).
Button pits – from 2nd – rejoins 2nd.
Sutil takes Kobayashi for 9th position.
Schumacher takes Kobayashi for 10th position.
Hamilton is given a Drive through Penalty by the Stewards for causing an avoidable collision with Massa.
Petrov pits.
Lap 17
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:53:269
Kobayashi pits – from 10th.
Trulli pits.
D’Ambrosio pits.
Riccardo pits.
The Order on Lap 17 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@12,336s), Di Resta (@25,991s), Alonso (@26,624s), Webber (@29,995s), Rosberg, Schumacher, Sutil, Perez and Alguesuari.
Lap 18
Hamilton serves his Drive through Penalty – rejoins 16th.
Lap 19
Alonso takes Di Resta for 3rd position.
Lap 20
Di Resta pits – from 4th – rejoins 8th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,704s. Pit-stop time: 3,8s).
Lap 21
Massa takes Buemi for 12th position – good move into Turn 6.
Trulli pits.
Lap 22
Hamilton takes Kobayashi for 14th position.
Cars 19 and 21 are under investigation by the Stewards.
The Order on Lap 22 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@14,659s), Alonso (@18,079s), Webber (@0,911s), Rosberg (@13,086s), Schumacher (@3,686s), Sutil, Di Resta, Perez and Maldonado.
Lap 23
Webber is putting pressure on Alonso.
Rosberg pits – from 5th rejoins 9th.
Lap 25
Schumacher pits – from 5th – rejoins 10th.
Hamilton takes Massa for 12th position.
Massa pits – from 13th – rejoins 16th.
Lap 26
Alonso pits – from 3rd – rejoins 4th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,387s. Pit-stop time: 4,0s).
Hamilton takes Barichello for 10th position.
Despite an earlier accident and a Drive through Penalty, Hamilton is still carving his way through the field.
Lap 27
Maldonado pits.
Schumacher sets the fastest lap: 1:53:096
Di Resta takes Sutil for 5th position.
This has so far been a brilliant drive from the rookie Di Resta.
The Order on Lap 27 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@20,713s), Webber (@19,812s), Alonso (@26,291s), Di Resta (@13,682s), Sutil (@2,634s), Rosberg, Perez, Schumacher and Hamilton.
Lap 28
Kovalainen pits.
Massa sets the fastest lap: 1:52:550
As the fuel loads lighten and the track “rubbers in” the lap times are steadily tumbling.
Lap 29
Liuzzi pits.
Perez takes Rosberg for 7th position.
Rosberg responds by promptly retaking Perez.
Lap 30
Schumacher clips the rear of Perez’s car in an attempted overtaking manoeuvre. Schumacher’s car is dramatically launched through the air before crashing head-on into the safety barrier – narrowly missing his team mate’s (Rosberg) car. Schumacher walks away uninjured.
The Safety Car is immediately deployed, initiating a flurry of pit stops.
Webber pits – from 3rd – rejoins 4th.
(Pit Lane time: 31,204s. Pit-stop time: 4,6s).
Di Resta pits.
Sutil pits.
Perez pits.
Rosberg pits.
Lap 31
Vettel pits – from 1st – rejoins 1st.
(Pit Lane time: 30,809s. Pit-stop time: 3,9s).
Button pits – from 2nd – rejoins 2nd.
(Pit Lane time: 29,921s. Pit-stop time: 3,4s).
Petrov pits.
Lap 32
Hamilton pits.
Lap 33
The Safety Car comes in.
Lap 34
Webber takes Alonso for 3rd position. A good move by Webber, it appears that at the restart he caught Alonso napping somewhat.
Hamilton takes Perez for 8th position.
Lap 35
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:51:139
The race leader is really flying now, re-establishing the gap between himself and 2nd placed Button.
Lap 36
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:51:102
Lap 37
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:50:992
Hamilton takes Sutil for 7th position – great move.
Lap 38
Car 16 (Kobayashi) is under investigation by the Stewards for ignoring blue flags.
Hamilton takes Rosberg for 6th position – another great move in the DRS zone leading up to Turn 7.
Lap 39
Hamilton takes Di Resta for 5th position – the McLaren-Mercedes driver is on a superb charge.
Lap 40
Kobayashi is given a Drive through Penalty.
Cars 8 (Rosberg) and 17 (Perez) are under investigation by the Stewards.
The Order on Lap 40 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@12,586s), Webber (@3,906s), Alonso (@6,883s), Hamilton (@13,685s), Di Resta (@3,289s), Rosberg (@1,207s), Sutil, Perez and Massa.
Lap 42
Kobayashi serves his Drive through Penalty.
Massa pits – from 10th – rejoins 13th.
Lap 44
The Stewards decision is that no further action will be taken regarding cars 8 (Rosberg) and 17 (Perez).
Lap 46
Maldonado pits – from 10th – rejoins 13th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,477s. Pit-stop time: 4,0s).
The Order on Lap 47 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@13,225s), Webber (@3,789s), Alonso (@13,813s), Hamilton (@12,230), Di Resta (@16,586s), Rosberg, Sutil, Perez and Barichello.
Lap 48
Trulli pits.
Webber pits – from 3rd – rejoins 5th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,413s. Pit-stop time: 3,9s).
Lap 49
Button pits – from 2nd – rejoins 3rd.
(Pit Lane time: 30,305s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Webber takes Hamilton for 4th position – good move.
Liuzzi pits.
Hamilton pits – from 5th – rejoins 9th.
(Pit Lane time: 29,876s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Vettel pits – from 1st – rejoins 1st.
(Pit Lane time: 30,796s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Kovalainen pits.
Petrov pits
There is almost an accident in the pit lane as Kovalainen’s Lotus-Renault is released into the path of Vettel as Vettel is exiting the pit lane.
Alonso pits – from 2nd – rejoins 4th.
(Pit Lane time: 29,972s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Lap 50
Liuzzi pits.
Senna pits.
Hamilton takes Perez for 8th position.
Lap 51
Hamilton takes Sutil for 7th position – another good move in the DRS zone.
Lap 52
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:48:688
Trulli crashes out.
Hamilton takes Rosberg for 6th position – great move.
Lap 54
Car 21 (Kovalainen) is under investigation by the Stewards for an unsafe release from the pit box.
Lap 55
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:48:454
The Order on Lap 55 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@9,420s), Webber (@13,995s), Alonso (@22,831s), Hamilton (@9,668s), Di Resta (@8,427s), Rosberg (@8,439s), Sutil (@0,582s), Perez and Barichello.
With 6 laps to go the top 3 looks fairly settled, with Vettel on course for another victory.
Lap 56
Kobayashi pits.
Lap 58
Button (2nd) is catching race leader Vettel, the gap is now down to 4,593s.
Lap 60
Alguersuari crashes out.
Lap 61
Massa takes Perez for 9th position – great move.
Vettel takes the win! As he crosses the line and takes the chequered flag a brilliant firework display is triggered in the surrounding night sky! It has been another commanding and peerless performance from the young World Champion.
2. Button (@1,737
3. Webber (@29,279s)
4. Alonso (@55,449s)
5. Hamilton (@1:07:766)
6. Di Resta (@1:51:067)
7. Rosberg
8. Sutil
9. Massa
10. Perez
Retired: 20/24 starters finished the race. Glock, Schumacher, Trulli and Alguersuari retired.
SUMMARY
It has been an absorbing and very entertaining race to watch. Vettel lead from start to finish, another great drive. Behind him, there was plenty of action and a constant shuffling of position in the top 10, and further down the field. It has been a long race (one of the longest of the year – barring the epic saga that was the Canadian F1 GP): the winning time was 1:59:06:757, with a total distance of 309,316km covered, at an average speed of 155,810km/h. For the drivers it has been a physically demanding and tiring race, most of them will have lost an average of 2 litres of body fluid through perspiration.
The McLaren-Mercedes of Button and Hamilton showed awesome race pace, but not enough to catch the RBR-Renault of Vettel. Button had a good solid drive; and were it not for a few incidents and a penalty Hamilton may have finished in a higher position. Alonso drove a decent race, while Massa finished further down. The Force India-Mercedes team put in a strong performance, with a great drive from the rookie Di Resta.
Vettel parks his car in Parc Ferme and stands on the nose of his RB7 to acknowledge the cheering crowds. His delight is clearly evident. He has not secured the Drivers’ World Championship with this victory, but nonetheless it has been another stunning performance by him in mastering the demanding Marina Bay Circuit.
The podium ceremony is a lavish affair, with superbly crafted trophies presented to the top 3 drivers. Once the formalities have been dispensed with, it’s champagne time! More fireworks rain from the night sky as the Mumm champagne flies everywhere – this is Formula 1!
NEXT STOP:
The next race is the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on the 9th October 2011. Suzuka is a faster track than the Marina Bay Circuit of Singapore, and a favourite of many drivers. Will Sebastian Vettel be crowned double World Champion at Suzuka? Time will tell.
Written by Mark Batchelder, Road and Race’s F1 Connoisseur
