Singapore F1 Grand Prix

This year, I chose to stay at home and watch the Singapore Singtel Grand Prix on TV. I must say that the feeling is just not the same. Last year, I bought tickets and experienced the F1 by the trackside. You just do not feel the vibration when watching it on TV.

The race started with much incident with Hamilton in the lead at Turn 1, and the rest of the pack made their way round Turn 1 safely. The 2 Brawn cars made up some track position after a good start. Compared to last year, the Safety car was called upon only once. This was when Adrian Sutil had spun his car and poor Nick Heidfeld's car crashed into the Force India's car. Heidfeld damaged his right rear wheel and was forced to retire, while Sutil was still able to drive his "noseless" car into the pits. Safety car was out for a number of laps and it took a brave track marshal to clear the Force India's nose off the track.

After the Safety Car returned to the pit lane, Vettel was applying good pressure on Hamilton, till he had to do a drive-through penalty for pit lane speeding. Mark Webber crashed his car when his car's brakes failed.

After the 61 laps, it was not a driver or team in the chase for the championship titles . The podium was filled by McLaren (Hamilton), Toyota (Glock) and Renault (Alonso).

I think Alonso did a fantastic race, putting behind him the crashgate scandal. It was a well deserved 3rd place for Alonso. Rumours has it that Alonso will be driving for Ferrari next season ... Can't wait to see him in the red car.

Really missed the loud engine noises ... think I will buy myself tickets next year.

Practice Sessions on 25 Sep 2009 - Singapore F1 GP

The practice sessions got on the way on 25 Sep 09 at 6pm and 10pm.

It was Deja Vu for Renault .... Grojean crash at exactly the same spot .. Turn 17 ... during Practice 1. Luckily for Renault, the incident happened during practice session. If it was during the race, then it would have been suspected to be another crashgate scandal. There was bad news for Renault, though. Their major sponsor, ING, pulled out.

There was also drama during practice 2. Mark Webber crashed at Turn 23, as he lost control of his car while coming out of Turn 23 onto the Start/Finish straight. It seems like the car hit some dust on the track and lost traction. Or there was a lot of stress on the tires. I guess the teams would be looking at ways to preserve tires during the actual race. This circuit can be quite tough on the tires.

Next up ... qualifying on 26 Sep 09.

Renault cheated?

Seems like Renault has thrown in the towel and decided not to fight the allegations of fixing the 1st ever Singapore Grand Prix. Top 2 men resigned and that could mean that Renault is admitting to the allegations.

Fernando Alonso won the first ever Singapore night race, after surprising everyone with a really early pitstop on lap 12. Renault had earlier (before the race start) hoped for a safety car incident on a very unfamiliar track, so that Alonso could take advantage of an early pitstop. Coincidentally, Piguet Jr crashed on Lap 14, bringing out the Safety Car. From then on, everything played to the Renault's tune.

Fernando Alonso claims he does not know that and now he has an uphill task of trying to defend his Singapore GP crown under all these allegations.

For me, I am hoping that Ferrari could get onto the podium to overcome the disappointment at the 1st Singapore night race.

Go Ferrari !!!