02 August 2022
Get the lowdown on what's new in Formula One, go back-to-basics with exclusive #F1 Insights by our guest writers, and get tips from industry experts from the Formula One fraternity.
Get the lowdown on what's new in Formula One, go back-to-basics with exclusive #F1 Insights by our guest writers, and get tips from industry experts from the Formula One fraternity.
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Posted on 2 August 2022
We may not be wild about sipping champagne from a shoe but we surely can celebrate the adrenaline-fuelled race weekend with a round of drinks. Singapore boasts an exciting nightlife scene, with some of the best bars in Asia just a stone’s throw away from the Circuit Park. Skip the classics and go for something uniquely Singaporean – with alluring interiors and even more intriguing ingredients, check out these must-try cocktails that will get your heart racing faster than you can say ‘pit-stop’.
SINGAPORE SLING
You can’t leave the island without trying our most famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling. Widely regarded as the national drink, the Singapore Sling was concocted by Raffles Hotel’s then-bartender Mr Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915. This gin-based cocktail contains pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao, Bénédictine, grenadine and cherry liqueur.
Long Bar, #02-01, Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd
MADAME PRESIDENT
Image credit: Jigger and Pony
Recognised as Asia’s Best Bar in 2020 and the ninth best in the world, Jigger and Pony presents classic concoctions and fresh cocktail twists in the heart of the central business district. Take your pick from many standout drinks, but we say go for the one with the highest honour, Madame President with Monkey 47 Gin, kaffir dry vermouth, orchid and bitter melon liqueur and a Campari lollipop.
Jigger and Pony, 165 Tanjong Pagar Rd
MR BEAN
Get ready for an adventure with every innovative drink at the award-winning Jekyll & Hyde, one of Singapore’s pioneer cocktail bars since 2013. Don’t be surprised by intriguing additions – bacon, peanut butter, bananas and exotic spices – as you take your pick of a signature cocktail. Try the Mr Bean, a cocktail with Singapore’s popular tau huay soy bean pudding, butterscotch liqueur, Frangelico and vodka.
Jekyll & Hyde, 74 Neil Road
DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Image credit: The Secret Mermaid
The devil is in the details at The Secret Mermaid, a tasting room and cocktail bar with a focus on presenting the largest menu of American craft spirits in Singapore. Try the Devil In The Details cocktail at this speakeasy, a rum infused beverage with white dragonfruit, pink dragonfruit, lime and lavender bitters.
The Secret Mermaid, 10 Collyer Quay, B1-09, Ocean Financial Centre
We strive for accuracy, but during these uncertain times, we recommend you visit bars’ websites to verify opening hours and for the latest information before heading out.
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Posted on 1 July 2022
Think you’ve covered all the attractions that Singapore has to offer? Think again. Set aside your guidebook and squeeze in any of these ten unique local experiences for a memorable Grand Prix weekend.
1. Challenge your friends to kart racing
Can’t get enough of motor racing? Challenge your friends and family to a fun kart race at KF1 or The Karting Arena’s electric go karts. Experience the thrilling twists and turns on the race track and see if you have got what it takes to come out as champion. Height and age restrictions apply.
2. Explore a military bunker or tour an old cemetery
Go nine-metres deep under Fort Canning Hill and venture into the Battlebox, a World War 2 secret Command Centre built in the 1930s. Join the guided tour through the twisting passages and gain an insight into Singapore’s wartime history. History buffs can also explore Singapore’s largest Chinese cemetery, Bukit Brown. This century-old cemetery houses the resting places of many Chinese pioneers who made significant contributions in Singapore’s rich history. Choose to walk self-guided or join a guided tour for an insight into their stories, the tomb designs and uncover secrets that lie within.
3. Go on an island-hopping adventure
Did you know Singapore has 64 islands that surround the mainland? Hop on a ferry and explore the islands in the Southern and Northeastern part of Singapore. Visit sacred sites on Kusu Island, go fishing or have a picnic on St John’s Island, swim in the beach paradise of Lazarus Island or go snorkelling at the Sisters’ Island Marine Park. If you’d like more adventure, book a kayaking expedition through the mangroves of rustic Pulau Ubin. Once there, don’t miss hiking through the Chek Jawa wetlands, a treasure trove of Singapore’s biodiversity.
4. Try your hand at pottery in an 80-year old dragon kiln
Explore Singapore’s oldest surviving brick-built kiln at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle. Originally built for the mass production of latex cups, water jars and flower pots, the kiln now serves as a platform for artists, potters and members of the public to gain a deeper appreciation of the disappearing art of wood-firing. Go on a guided dragon kiln tour or try your hand at making a wood-fired piece in a pottery workshop.
5. Discover Instagrammable spots for the perfect #OOTD
Take out your smartphones and explore the most picture-perfect spots in Singapore. Spot the street art in Chinatown, Little India and Kampung Glam, photograph the colourful heritage shophouses in Joo Chiat and Katong, admire the magnificent Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay or head to the Fort Canning Park where you can walk back in time to the 14th century at the historical Sang Nila Utama Garden or snap an #OOTD at the Park’s iconic spiral staircase. Prefer an aerial view? Make a pit stop at one of the many rooftop bars in Singapore.
6. Visit Singapore’s more eclectic museums
Check out vintage toys at MINT Museum of Toys, gain an insight into Peranakan culture at heritage spaces the NUS Baba House or The Intan, step through a giant camera-shaped building into the Vintage Camera Museum, view dinosaur fossils at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, explore the world's largest display of contemporary design at the Red Dot Design Museum or why not catch a glimpse of Buddha’s tooth at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum.
7. Travel the world on a scent journey
Go on a scent discovery with a Master Perfumer at local perfumery Sifr Aromatics. Gain an insight into different perfume-making techniques on a scent journey across continents right in the heart of the Kampung Glam ethnic district. After your experience, go for a stroll and check out the boutiques at Haji Lane or fuel up at any of the restaurants or trendy cafes nearby.
8. Go round island on a bicycle
Rent a bicycle and see Singapore from a new perspective. Whizz through the numerous Park Connector Networks and be treated with spectacular sea views, idyllic parks and charming suburbs along the way. Whether you are a novice or an expert, there’s a cycling trail to appease everyone. Go for the scenic Mandai loop circuit which starts in the heart of the city and passes the old Singapore Grand Prix track at Old Upper Thomson Road. Seasoned cyclists can consider the 36-kilometre Coast-to-Coast trail which cuts across the island and covers some of the best parks and natures reserves in Singapore.
9. Go on a hiking trail through a nature reserve
As a city in a garden, there are abundant green spots on the island. Hike through the four nature reserves, discover Singapore’s rich flora and fauna or relax in one of more than 300 parks across the island.
Get closer to nature along the 10-kilometre Southern Ridges, which is also one of the best trails in Singapore for stunning views of the city, harbour and Southern Islands. Or hike a former railway line, the 24-kilometre Rail Corridor from the North to South of Singapore passing through lush green landscapes and heritage structures.
10. Fill your tummy with Singaporean delicacies at any hour
Join a local guide on a food tour of Singapore’s local cuisine, or plan ahead and go self-guided. From exploring the hawker culture – a UNESCO pick for its Intangible Cultural Heritage – to dining at a Michelin-star restaurant, there’s a culinary experience to appease every gastronome whatever the hour. Be sure to savour Singapore’s famous local delicacies like chicken rice, nasi briyani, nasi lemak, kaya toast, buah keluak stew and many more – the options are endless even after dark. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
We strive for accuracy, but during these uncertain times, we recommend you visit the attractions’ websites to verify opening hours and for the latest information before heading out. For more details, visit: https://www.visitsingapore.com
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Posted on 2 June 2022
There’s no doubt about it: Formula 1’s thrilling new era with its futuristic cars has already been a massive success with closer racing – across the first seven rounds – with a largely shuffled grid, Red Bull and Ferrari stoush upfront, and hyper-competitive midfield. Where will we be come the return of F1’s original night race, in Singapore, on September 30 to October 2?
The answer is, trackside and on the edge of our seats, as F1’s top guns take on Marina Bay in vastly more challenging cars – with no room for error, just one tiny lapse in concentration sending them straight to the scene of the accident. Add in cockpit temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius at racing speeds, and you have the world’s best racers on the absolute limit.
Will Red Bull Racing, though, get its first Singapore victory since 2013, given Sergio Pérez’s win at tight and twisty Monaco in May?
But, what’s different about these new cars? They use what’s known as ground effect aerodynamics (under the car) that pulls it closer to the track for higher cornering speeds, but also directs the air skyward as it leaves the rear wing to allow the pursuing car to close up, make a move and overtake.
That was the theory, but it’s no surprise we’ve seen success on-track with the project overseen by Formula 1’s esteemed managing director of motorsports, Ross Brawn – the mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s titles at Benetton and Ferrari, and Mercedes’ recent dominance (2014-2020).
What are the new cars like to drive, though?
“At the end of the day it’s still a Formula One car and a lot of things are still the same on the system side and the way you set-up the car,” says Haas F1 Team’s Kevin Magnussen, who returned to the grid in 2022 after a year out.
“But, the new era cars drive a little differently, the tyres are different, and the way the car produces downforce comes from different places.”
As Magnussen says, the new cars are on different Pirelli tyres, with the sport switching from 13-inch wheels (that have featured in F1 since the 1960s) to more road-relevant low-profile 18-inch rubber.
The development work done by Pirelli was exhaustive, with more than 10,000 hours of indoor testing, and over 5000 of simulation. It also created more than 70 virtual prototypes and 30 physical ones, with 4267 laps driven, equating to 20,000 kilometres: half the earth’s circumference.
Given the huge technical challenge, most teams have opted to retain drivers for consistent feedback, though not all have, with the Silver Arrows opting to bring in highly rated young gun George Russell alongside Sir Lewis Hamilton. And he’s already proven quite the revelation, outpacing his illustrious teammate.
Russell replaced Flying Finn Valtteri Bottas, who’s now at Alfa Romeo Racing, alongside 2022’s sole rookie, Zhou Guanyu as China’s first ever F1 race driver. Over at Williams, Alex Albon has returned to the grid, after a season out as Red Bull reserve, pairing Nicholas Latifi. The Canadian is one of four drivers yet to race in Singapore, along with Zhou, Mick Schumacher who drives for Haas, and Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri.
There’s much to look forward to, with races galore before the sport flies out to the hot nights and bright lights of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022. Bring it on!
The Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 will be held from September 30-October 2, with more information at singaporegp.sg
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Posted on 6 August 2021
Singapore Grand Prix past and present: How are they similar?
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix may have held its inaugural race back in 2008, but did you know that as a motor race, the Singapore Grand Prix actually has a rich heritage?
Yes, the engines were revved and the chequered flag was waved on this island as far back as 1961!
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
Unlike its modern counterpart, however, the Singapore Grand Prix was not a Formula 1 race and had both car and motorcycle categories. The event was also held in the day on a circuit located at the Upper Thomson Road area.
From 1961 to 1974, 13 editions of the old grand prix were held, before it was discontinued due to safety concerns.
Despite the contrasting eras and technical differences between the old event and the new Singapore Grand Prix, however, both share essential similarities.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
Street Circuits
Both the old and current Singapore Grand Prix run on very challenging street circuits.
At 4.8km long, the old circuit ran clockwise along the old and new Upper Thomson Roads. The racetrack, which had around 13 turns, was known to have some notorious features, such as the treacherous Circus Hairpin and the dangerous Devil’s Bend. Cars were also known to lift off the ground when taking a right turn at high speed along the Thomson Mile!
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore(Left) and Formula 1(Right)
In contrast, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix’s Marina Bay Street Circuit is longer at 5.063km. It has the most turns (23) and is just one of a few circuits in F1 that runs anti-clockwise. Threading the barriers under the lights of the racetrack, cars would reach speeds of up to 325km/h.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore(Left)
While the Marina Bay Street Circuit does not possess the same notoriety as the old Upper Thomson Circuit, it is no less challenging for drivers. With ambient humidity at over 80 percent and cockpit temperatures reaching as high as 60 degrees Celsius, drivers are known to lose up to 3kg in body fluids during the race. The F1 night race also has a 100 percent record for the appearance of the Safety Car.
Boosting the local economy
Regardless of its era, the Singapore Grand Prix boosts Singapore’s economy through tourism.
The old Singapore Grand Prix was created as part of a government initiated tourism campaign called “Visit Singapore – The Orient Year”. The campaign sought to encourage tourists to visit the island through various events, including the race.
As it turned out, Singapore experienced a record year for tourism in 1961, with over 100,000 tourists coming here, thanks to the success of the old Singapore Grand Prix. These visitors also gave the local economy a vital leg up by spending an estimated M$79.5 million during their time here.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore(Left)
Similarly, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is part of a larger campaign to give the Republic an added buzz in attracting visitors from overseas. The race, with its unique mix of lifestyle, sport and entertainment, has generated an average of $150 million in tourism receipts annually. That is more than $1.5 billion in earnings since its inception in 2008!
Furthermore, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix has also generated good opportunities for local businesses with more than 90 percent of race-related works sub-contracted to Singapore-based companies. Our entertainment, hospitality and education sectors have also been significant beneficiaries.
High attendance rates
People have flocked to the Singapore Grand Prix, be it old or new.
Back in 1961, the first edition of the old Singapore Grand Prix saw more than 120,000 spectators attending the event over the 16 to 17 September race weekend. In fact, the attendance was so overwhelming on the second day that the police had to halt ticket sales at the main entrances an hour after the race had begun.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore(Left)
Compared to the past, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is a much more orderly affair, but its attendance figures are pretty mind-boggling. The average attendance at each edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix stands at over 250,000. In fact, the most recent race held in 2019 set the second highest attendance record in its history, drawing 268,000 to the Marina Bay Street Circuit!
Both raised Singapore’s profile on the world map
The old Singapore Grand Prix’s success led it to become an internationally renowned event. It frequently attracted the participation of top drivers from the region.
International recognition was also given to races at the event. In 1966, its main car race received a listing on the world motor-racing calendar in 1966, although it was still not part of the world championship.
International audiences were also drawn to the grand prix. A half-hour film of the 1972 edition of the event was televised across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and West Germany. The actual race itself was telecast live across Asian, Australia, and New Zealand in 1973.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
As part of the Formula 1 calendar, the Singapore Grand Prix of today hosts the pinnacle of world motorsport. The race is a well-known global event that is broadcast live to almost every country on the planet and is watched by millions around the world. In addition, it is also well-covered online, as well as popularly followed on social media. Over the years, the event has attracted a global audience of more than 930 million.
Every edition of the race has seen more than 250,000 attendees at the event’s Circuit Park over the three-day race weekend.
It is a pretty safe bet to say that while not everyone has the geographical inclination to know where exactly Singapore is on the world map, most will at the very least know of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix also known as the F1 night race.
Whenever the race rolls around into town, the Republic dazzles as a grand prix related festival of parties, concerts, conferences, and exhibitions is held, making it shine on the world map.
Regardless of the era, it is undeniable that the Singapore Grand Prix has the ability to give Singapore and the world a special buzz of excitement. Sparks fly whenever it is held and our place on the world map glows brighter than ever.
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Posted on 26 November 2018
By Kate Walker
Hulk smash, no injuries
There was early drama on Sunday evening in Abu Dhabi, when Nico Hulkenberg suffered a significant airborne crash in his Renault on the first lap of the season finale. The dramatic incident saw the Renault driver fly through the air at the second part of the chicane, having made contact with Romain Grosjean in the first part, triggering a roll.
“I'm very sorry for him, but there was nowhere I could go!” said Grosjean on the Haas team radio after the incident with Hulkenberg.
While visually dramatic, the German racer emerged from the shunt unscathed – testimony to the ever-improving safety standards in modern Formula One. Hulkenberg was quickly extricated from the stricken vehicle, which was upside down in the barriers and at risk of catching fire.
Attrition in Abu Dhabi
A chaotic finale featuring five retirements – several of them rather dramatic – brought the curtain down on the 2018 Formula One season. After Hulkenberg’s collision with Grosjean, Kimi Raikkonen ended his Ferrari career on the main straight following a total loss of power. Efforts to reboot the car came to naught. Marcus Ericsson’s last race for Sauber – and in Formula One – also came to a premature end with the Swede calling his car undriveable before retiring. Esteban Ocon – also enjoying his last F1 grand prix – stopped thanks to power loss on the pit entry, while Pierre Gasly’s last race for Toro Rosso ended with engine failure. The long season has taken its toll on man and machine alike.
Renault end 2018 ‘best of the rest’
The ‘other’ championship – the one involving everyone behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull – was a close fought battle all year. In Abu Dhabi on Sunday night it was Carlos Sainz who came out best of the rest with a sixth-place finish that saw the Renault driver cross the finish line more than a minute behind the podium finishers. Teammate Nico Hulkenberg topped the so-called B drivers’ championship with 69 points to Sainz’s 53, while Renault finished fourth in the overall constructors’ standings with 122 points, 29 clear of rivals Haas. The Enstone racers’ achievement is all the more remarkable when Hulkenberg’s Abu Dhabi accident is taken into account.
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Posted on 14 November 2018
By Kate Walker
Ocon spins Verstappen out of lead
Max Verstappen was on course to win the Brazilian Grand Prix from fifth on the grid when he collided with Esteban Ocon as the Force India driver was attempting to unlap himself. It was the decisive moment in a tense race that saw Verstappen run long before pitting, emerging from his only stop on lap 35 in third place, behind his yet to pit teammate and Lewis Hamilton, who had stopped on lap 19 and was running to the end. Verstappen worked his way past Hamilton using DRS as Daniel Ricciardo entered the pits, and the Dutch racer was in the lead. But within five laps Verstappen had been spun by Ocon. Hamilton regained the lead, and Verstappen had a 5.6 second gap to make up.
“I hope I don’t find him in the paddock or else he is *beep*!” said Verstappen about Ocon after the incident.
Hamilton wins against the odds
Despite starting from pole, the Brazilian Grand Prix was not an easy win for Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes and Ferrari drivers were lined up side by side on the starting grid, each team gambling on a different tyre strategy with the constructors’ championship at stake. Early on, Mercedes were in control of the race, as their strategists had predicted. But a growing Red Bull threat from both Max Verstappen and a charging Daniel Ricciardo, fighting to overcome a five-place grid penalty that saw him start eleventh, meant that Hamilton’s win was far from assured. Verstappen gave good chase in the closing laps, but Hamilton managed to retain the lead despite his fraying rubber.
Mercedes win fifth constructors’ title
When he crossed the line to secure victory at Interlagos on Sunday afternoon, Lewis Hamilton secured his fiftieth win for Mercedes since the engine regulation change in 2014, and the 99 grands prix run using the new power units. While the Silver Arrows have long dominated F1’s new turbo era, Hamilton’s Brazilian victory means that the team have won 73 of the 99 races since 2014 – or 73.7 percent – with 20 wins for Nico Rosberg and three for Valtteri Bottas. It is an astounding technical achievement, and one that has cost a lot of blood, sweat, and tears – not to mention investment from the board.
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Posted on 29 October 2018
By Kate Walker
Lewis secures fifth world title
Sunday afternoon in Mexico saw Lewis Hamilton crowned Formula One World Champion for the fifth time, equalising the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio’s record. Before the weekend, Hamilton said he hoped to take the title with a race win, but it was not to be. The Red Bulls had the pace advantage all weekend, and locked out the front row. Hamilton got a good start from the second row, but by the first corner Max Verstappen was in the lead and the Mercedes driver was left managing his ailing tyres the best he could, eventually crossing the finish line in fourth place – enough to claim his fifth drivers’ title with two races remaining on the calendar.
Ricciardo goes from hero to zero
On Saturday night, Daniel Ricciardo was the hero of Red Bull. On pole for the first time since Monaco, the Australian racer looked set to dominate the Mexican Grand Prix – as long as he could keep his teammate behind him. But Ricciardo was overtaken off the start by both Hamilton and Verstappen, and was racing in dirty air from the outset. Having followed Hamilton into the pits for an early stop, by lap 25 the Australian was complaining of tyre trouble. Within ten laps, he had been passed by Sebastian Vettel. By lap 49 Ricciardo had worked his way back up to second, ahead of Vettel, and the former teammates spent several laps racing closely before disaster struck on lap 62 and the Australian’s engine failed.
“Check my engine! If you need to turn it down, turn it down!”, said Verstappen on the Red Bull team radio, after teammate Ricciardo’s retirement.
Mexican GP a tyre-eating F1esta
The championship decider was a race affected by heavy degradation and blistering of tyres, with both Red Bull and Mercedes seeing their drivers suffer as their rubber let them down. With a two-stop strategy – the predicted fastest option – the pit stop window opened around lap 5. Hamilton and Bottas both boxed on lap 11, followed by Ricciardo on lap 12. But within a dozen laps both Hamilton and Ricciardo were complaining of blistering and heavy wear. On lap 47 Hamilton entered the pits for his second stop, but a switch to ultrasofts made little difference to the Briton’s pace and within five laps he was complaining about performance on the new rubber. Vettel matched Hamilton’s two-stop strategy, but with much better wear rates, while Raikkonen – who finished in third – managed a one-stop strategy to the flag.
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Posted on 24 October 2018
By James Allen
There can have been few more popular winners of a Grand Prix in recent years than Kimi Raikkonen, whose US Grand Prix win was straight out of his younger days.
The veteran who turned 39 recently, had it all worked out. Knowing his team mate Vettel had a three place grid penalty hanging over him, he qualified on ultra soft tyres with the idea of getting pole or the front row and then controlling the race so Ferrari could bring Vettel back into play.
But when Vettel made yet another mistake, hitting Ricciardo on the opening lap and falling down the order, It opened the door for Raikkonen to win the race himself. He drove brilliantly and resisted the challenges of both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had to give up and settle for podium places alongside the Finn.
This could well be Raikkonen’s last win, as he will move to Alfa Romeo Sauber next season, and if that is the case then it is a very fitting one. He’s been lucky that Ferrari retained him for so long, with indifferent performances in 2014, 2015 and 2016, but a new fitter Kimi has relished this 2018 Ferrari and he’s very close to Vettel in the championship table, despite having been used by Ferrari many times this season on a sub-optimal strategy to help Vettel’s championship challenge against Hamilton.
The championship was therefore not concluded in Austin, but Hamilton needs only to finish in the minor placings in Mexico to clinch his fifth title.
The other outstanding drive in Austin was Verstappen who started 18th on the grid after damaging his car in qualifying. He made up nine places on the opening lap and an aggressive strategy from Red Bull put him in a position to finish second, one of his very best drives in F1. The Red Bull chassis was magnificent on this fast, twisting track.
The other quick point of note was the performance of the Honda engine in the Toro Rosso in qualifying. If Honda can deliver that power and performance in race conditions next season, then Red Bull, which is taking Honda’s in 2019, will be competitive. It is starting to look very promising.
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Posted on 8 October 2018
By Kate Walker
Mad Max goes to war
Fittingly for the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was on a kamikaze mission at Suzuka Circuit on Sunday afternoon. The Dutch racer, who qualified in third, found himself at war with both Ferrari drivers in the opening stages of the race, earning a five second stop-go penalty for rejoining the track in an unsafe manner following an altercation with Kimi Raikkonen on lap 2.
"What a sh*t penalty! He tried to go around me, he could easily have just waited," said Verstappen after the incident.
Six laps later, Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel collided at Spoon, and Vettel span off track, rejoining in 19th place. The Red Bull racer escaped the incident both unscathed and unpenalised, and despite his best efforts throughout the afternoon was unable to finish the race any higher than he started.
Vettel fights to keep championship alive
The Japanese Grand Prix was a critical one in Sebastian Vettel’s title fight. The Ferrari driver arrived in Suzuka with a 50-point deficit to Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings, and was determined to reduce the gap and improve his odds at a fifth world championship. But following a lap 8 clash with Max Verstappen the German racer was forced to fight his way back up from 19th. Following a hard-fought series of overtakes in the midfield, Vettel took the chequered flag in sixth place. It was a commendable effort, but Hamilton’s lights to flag victory extended the gap between the two to 67 points. If Hamilton wins the next race in Austin, and Vettel finishes below second, the drivers’ fight will be over with three races remaining.
Ferrari pit wall get Raikkonen strategy wrong
With Sebastian Vettel struggling to work his way through the pack following his early clash with Max Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen should have had his pick of pit stop strategy. The Ferrari driver was the first of the front runners to pit, taking on mediums at the end of lap 17 and dropping from third to tenth and emerging in traffic. The Finn was able to make fairly short work of the Force India pair, and was running in seventh by lap 21, but the cars Raikkonen had been running with before his early stop were all able to change tyres without significant loss in track position. The call to box once again called into question Ferrari’s strategic capabilities, as the later-stopping Daniel Ricciardo – who started the race in 15th – finished one place ahead of Raikkonen.
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Posted on 1 October 2018
By Kate Walker
Verstappen goes win or wall from lap one
After a terrible start to the weekend that saw both Red Bulls suffer engine penalties and start towards the back of the grid it was down to birthday boy and racing ingénue Max Verstappen to put smiles on the faces of the factory workers back in Milton Keynes with a banzai performance from lights to flag. The Dutch racer lined up in P19, and made up six places during the opening lap. By lap 3 he was running in P11, and by lap six Verstappen had overhauled Charles Leclerc for sixth. When race leader Valtteri Bottas pitted on lap 12, Verstappen inherited the lead and controlled the race until his own stop on lap 43, a masterful performance on the soft tyre compound.
Ferrari win the strategy battle, Hamilton wins track battle
Ferrari have suffered a lot of criticism this season for poor strategic calls, costing the Scuderia both track position and likely race wins. But on Sunday afternoon in Sochi, Ferrari got it right -- where pit stops were concerned. Sebastian Vettel pitted at the end of lap 13, and when Mercedes called Hamilton in on the following lap the Briton emerged from his stop behind his championship rival. All looked to be lost, but on lap 16 Hamilton made several attempts at an overtake on Vettel – nearly hitting the wall on one occasion – before taking second place into Turn 4. The move didn’t give Hamilton the lead, but without the overtake Mercedes would not have been able to swap their drivers later in the race, giving Hamilton the win.
Hamilton extends championship lead – AGAIN
Lewis Hamilton may not look back on the 2018 Russian Grand Prix as the proudest moment of his career, having inherited the win when teammate Valtteri Bottas let the championship leader past on lap 25, but the Sochi victory will prove decisive in the championship fight. Bottas drove impeccably, and deserved to win, but given that he was no longer in the championship battle Mercedes took the decision to implement team orders to cement their lead in the title fight.
“I had to do this to make sure we secured this,” said Mercedes’ chief strategist James Vowles to Bottas after the lead swap among the Mercedes drivers.
Vettel leaves Sochi with a 50-point deficit in the drivers’ standings, with only 125 points left on the board. It may not be over till the fat lady sings, but we can hear her doing her warm-up exercises...
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Posted on 19 September 2018
By Kate Walker
Hamilton extends championship lead
Lewis Hamilton delivered a faultless performance under the Marina Bay lights during Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, ceding the lead only briefly during the pit stops. Mercedes played a strategic masterstroke at a circuit widely expected to be one of their weakest, responding to Ferrari’s early pit stop for Sebastian Vettel and seizing the moment. The Scuderia gave their frontrunner the ultrasoft tyre, while Mercedes put their man on softs. Hamilton was going to be able to run to the end on a single stop, come what may, while Vettel spent the evening driving with the threat of a second pit stop and significant loss of track position hanging over his head.
“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,” said Hamilton after the race.
Red car blues at the #F1nightrace
A podium finish and a fifth-place would be cause for celebration for most teams, but for Ferrari the result of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix was tantamount to a disaster. The Marina Bay Street Circuit should have been one of the Scuderia’s strongest tracks, and recent seasons have shown it to be a weak point for the Silver Arrows. But the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix belonged to Lewis Hamilton, and Ferrari’s unusual pit and tyre strategies left Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen playing catch-up all night long. While there are six rounds remaining in the calendar, the Singapore Grand Prix may well turn out to be the race where Ferrari lost both championships.
Singapore maintains 100% Safety Car record
The close walls of the Marina Bay Street Circuit have led to at least one Safety Car at every edition of the Singapore Grand Prix. In recent years, the Safety Car has been deployed on track before the first racing lap is complete, and the 2018 edition of the race was no different. Racing Point Force India teammates Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon were running side by side when the pair got too close for comfort. Ocon was in the wall, debris littered the track, and the Safety Car led the pack for the first four laps of Sunday’s race. The deployment was too early to have impacted the outcome of the grand prix, but it was a timely reminder to those left standing that Marina Bay is no place for silly games.
"Sorry guys, there was no room, I basically did not even see him," said Perez after hitting teammate Ocon.
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Posted on 12 September 2018
By Stuart Sykes
‘It’s pretty awesome’: F1 looks at Singapore
Best to begin at the beginning: the man who heads the team that heads the World Championship, Toto Wolff of Mercedes, knows better than most the challenge that Singapore presents – especially when your team is gunning for the drivers’ and constructors’ titles.
‘The short straights, the slow, tight corners and the bumpy surface all make the Marina Bay Street Circuit one of the trickiest tracks of the season for us,’ says Wolff, whose team arrives at Marina Bay with a 25-point cushion over Ferrari. ‘On paper, the track should favour the Ferraris, but the Championship fight is so close that predictions are almost meaningless.
‘One thing that’s guaranteed in Singapore,’ adds Wolff, ‘is a great spectacle; the track under the lights looks stunning both for the TV audience and the fans in the grandstands.’
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo is hoping his special relationship with Singapore might just put him up there with Mercedes and Ferrari again, and after being stunned in 2011 by the physical intensity of the race he has come to terms with its demands.
‘I have learnt to love the challenge of Singapore,’ says the 29-year-old Australian. ‘In a strange way, the pain has become pleasure over the years. As everyone knows, I love street circuits. The feeling of driving on the edge, so close to the walls, is something you just can’t get enough of. It’s a place where I also have good races and finish pretty strong. I’ve had four podiums and three second places in a row there, so it’s about time I win the damn thing.’
Further down the 2018 field, Romain Grosjean hits the mark when he sums up racing in Singapore by saying simply, ‘It’s pretty awesome’. The combative Grosjean loves the challenge posed by Singapore: heat, humidity, and a high-concentration circuit with 23 corners. And the night…
‘I do like competing in the night, it’s pretty good fun,’ says the 29-year-old Haas driver. ‘It makes some great footage, and clearly Singapore is one of the most beautiful races you can have by night. It’s pretty awesome. It provides something a bit different on the calendar.’
Nico Hülkenberg of Renault couldn’t agree more. ‘It’s a unique Grand Prix in more ways than one,’ says the German, who will make it doubly special when he competes in his 150th F1 race at Marina Bay on Sunday.
‘Racing under artificial lighting does take a little getting used to,’ he adds, ‘but Singapore has been on the calendar for so long now, it feels pretty normal. The facilities in Singapore are really good, and it’s a very enjoyable venue for a Grand Prix.’
Even drivers who haven’t raced here look forward to their baptism by floodlight. Take Pierre Gasly, the Toro Rosso driver who will graduate to the full Red Bull Racing squad in 2019. ‘Marina Bay is one of my favourite tracks to drive on the videogames, so I’m looking forward to experiencing the real thing,’ says the French youngster who expects Singapore’s night music to be right up his street.
‘Even if I’ve never driven the track, looking at the layout, I can see it’s the sort of circuit I like where you can get into a rhythm with a lot of corners. It turns a lot and it’s very technical.’
Fellow French-speaker Charles Leclerc, who comes from the city that hosts the world’s other great F1 street race, Monaco, is on the same wavelength. ‘It will be a special experience to drive there in real life,’ says the 20-year-old Sauber driver whose move to Ferrari for 2019 was announced on Tuesday.
‘It is one of the most renowned and popular Grands Prix on the calendar, and it will be a pleasure to meet the fans there. The track looks interesting and the city vibrant – I can’t wait for this race weekend to begin.’
Wise words all round, but perhaps it’s best to finish with something from a man of few words. That’s Grosjean’s Haas teammate Kevin Magnussen, on course for his best points haul in a season so far.
The 25-year-old Dane captures the Singapore experience perfectly when he says, ‘It’s a different weekend to the rest of the calendar.’
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Posted on 12 September 2018
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix was almost made for Instagram. We caught up with top F1 photographer Steven Tee for how to capture the best of the event armed just with a smartphone.
There’s no doubt that Singapore’s Marina Bay is a stunning place for a race, with the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix one of the most photogenic events in world sport. F1’s original night race a spectacular view any way you look at it…
However, while anyone can take great snaps with a smartphone, and share them instantly with the world on social media (using #SingaporeGP), taking next-level pics at the event just takes some practice and a few tips from the pros.
Enter the legendary Steven Tee, managing director of F1 photo agency LAT, and one of the sport’s top photographers, who knows all the best places to get shots throughout the Circuit Park.
“I love shooting F1 in Singapore, it is one of my very favourite races,” Tee says.
“I've always enjoyed street races, and when you add the day and night element to the stunning setting of downtown Singapore, it is difficult not to get great shots.”
And while Tee is a master of capturing the sport in all its glory, using DSLR gear, below are his five tips for fantastic shots using just your phone at the Formula 1 2018 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.
Tip 1:
“Don’t think that you are too far away, shoot loose and try and show the whole scene from your chosen seat position.”
Tip 2:
“It is possible to get close to the cars around the track with a general admission ticket, and the final two or three corners are great for this. Do not think of the walls and fences as an obstruction, simply use them as a way of showing how close the cars come to them, and you!”
Tip 3:
“Good photos can be taken of the drivers as they arrive each day at track. Hang out around the main entrance to the paddock a couple of hours before the first practice time, and the drivers will all come past you.”
Tip 4:
“If you have a seat in the Turn 1 Grandstand, you can get a great start photo. The photographers start position is in that grandstand, so you will get a similar angle to us. Again don’t obsess with getting only the cars, shoot a wider shot, and get the whole scene in.”
Tip 5:
Get a bird’s eye view! Zone 1 patrons have free access to the iconic Singapore Flyer throughout the race weekend. Go on the 165m high observation wheel, where you can enjoy a superb overview of the track especially the starting grid and finish line. “Great pics can be taken at night of the track ribboning around the city lit up by the floodlights,” Tee says.
The FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX will be held from September 14-16, with tickets available at singaporegp.sg.
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Posted on 5 September 2018
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is a fan’s paradise, but an intense physical challenge for the drivers.
Formula 1 drivers are some of the fittest athletes on earth; the world’s 20 best shredding in the gym every pre-season to be able to race these state-of-the-art cars over a Grand Prix distance without fatigue.
But the toughest test is yet to come, at the Formula 1 2018 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. Here are four reasons why the event always pushes the drivers to the limit.
1) IRONMAN CHALLENGE
The drivers have to race up to 320km/h for almost 2 hours, enduring around 4-5g in corners and under braking, with high cockpit temperatures throughout it. Fitness for concentration is therefore crucial.
"It's just so hot, man,” says four-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. “You have long sleeve underwear on, balaclava and then the suit on top of that – which is another three layers, and then gloves. Then you go in a sauna. And even if you open your visor, there is no cool breeze coming in, so you are sweating before you even get in the car."
2) SPECIFIC TRAINING
To ensure maximum concentration during the race, the drivers will do targeted heat training more than a month out from the event, some using a sauna to simulate the hot and humid conditions. The type of training might involve an intense aerobic conditioning session, featuring six by 3-minute fast-running efforts with a 3-minute recovery in between.
“There are so many corners, and not many straights,” says Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen. “So you are really working the whole time. You’re not going straight, so you’re not able to relax anywhere. And then because it’s a relatively low-speed track, that almost always takes us up to the two-hour limit, which is obviously very tough.”
3) REMAINING COOL
Staying cool in the car is a major focus at Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit, and the teams have strategies to cope with that, including electrolyte drinks to replace fluid loss, and the use of cooling vests whenever the drivers are out of the car or on the grid in the lead-in to the race.
Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo is the most extreme example, with the Australian admitting that he will drink 5-litres of water straight after the race. “You feel the heat when you're in the car, but when you stop after the race and the adrenaline decreases you feel it even more,” he says.
4) DIFFERENT SCHEDULE
The teams don’t adapt to local time during the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix weekend, staying on European time in the city-state to be best at night. Red Bull Racing’s Team Manager Jonathan Wheatley explains how it works.
“The flights actually work out in our favour in that respect,” he says. “Because they come in in the evening, the guys get there and can have a night out if they like for their first night in Singapore, and they don’t actually have to go to bed until 6 or 7 o’clock in the morning.”
*
For the drivers, the hard work starts now, with the Formula 1 2018 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix the next event on the calendar – and dual 4-time F1 World Champions, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel duking it out for a fifth title to match the Maestro, Juan Manuel Fangio.
Both have had lots of Singapore success in the past, with Hamilton having won the event three times, while Vettel holds the record with four. And with just 30 points between them in the standings, it’s game on, mentally and physically, at the Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit this 14 to 16 September.
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Posted on 3 September 2018
By James Allen
Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Italy was a body blow to Ferrari, which yet again had the fastest car, but for the third time in the last four races – along with Germany and Hungary - had failed to win with it.
Last year Ferrari were nowhere at Monza, the car just was not competitive enough. But with a front row lock out in qualifying they really should have engineered a win for their main title challenger Sebastian Vettel, with Kimi Raikkonen keeping Lewis Hamilton at bay to increase Vettel’s net points gain.
Where did it go wrong? Well, judging from comments afterwards, it seems Vettel was trying to pass his teammate for the lead in the opening corners, rather than focusing on keeping Hamilton behind him. He should not have been thinking about that because there should have been a deal in place for Vettel to pass him later in the race. The world championship is at stake and Raikkonen has no say in it. Instead he made contact with Hamilton, was spun around and dropped to 18th place from where he fought back to finish just outside the podium.
Mercedes trained all their efforts on to making no mistakes and using Valtteri Bottas to hamper Raikkonen’s race effort. But Raikkonen hampered his own race by not having enough homework on the soft tyre and also by hammering the soft tyre too hard at the start of the second stint.
Max Verstappen did not cover himself in glory today. The Dutchman was not fair with Bottas in an overtaking defence and moved over on him. The stewards penalised him with five seconds to be added to his race time, and that meant that Bottas was therefore going to beat him anyway. So rather than focus on trying to keep him behind him again, he should have let him through and focused on driving a clean series of laps to keep Vettel more than five seconds behind.
“I know I’m losing time to Vettel but I don’t care” is what he said on the team radio, which is great from the point of view of the fans wanting a fighter but it’s not smart racing.
The Singapore Grand Prix is next and we all remember what happened at the start last year. It was another race Ferrari should have comfortably taken, but which Hamilton ended up winning.
Hamilton is on fire at the moment and if he wins this championship he will have done so in clearly the second best car, which will be a massive achievement.
“I think it’s always very difficult to compare past performances. I always tell you that I don’t really have the greatest of memories – but under the sheer pressure that we are under I definitely will consider it to be quite far up there,” said Hamilton on whether his latest performance ranked among his greatest. “And obviously to do it on Ferrari’s home turf as well, with such a difficult crowd and so much pressure on the team with the performance that they have, to really be able to pull a little bit more out of the bag, and really make it stick… but I generally think that this year I’ve been quite consistent in my delivery.”
I’d expect Ferrari to dominate in Singapore and Vettel to bounce back with the win. He needs Raikkonen to keep Hamilton at bay to maximise the points. There are still enough races left for Vettel to win this championship but if Ferrari keep giving Mercedes gifts then it will soon get away from them for good.
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Posted on 27 August 2018
By James Allen
This race showed that Ferrari has the fastest car in F1 at the moment and with a new engine Sebastian Vettel was untouchable at Spa.
"As soon as I was ahead I relaxed. I had a good restart after the safety car, and after that it was a very smooth race,” said Vettel after the race. “We turned everything around and then controlled the race."
Vettel dropped a lot of points to title rival Lewis Hamilton before the summer break in Germany and Hungary, and he should be well ahead of Hamilton in the championship. Vettel threw away the win in Germany and Hamilton picked up the win, without that Vettel would now be comfortably ahead.
But he still has time. Monza is next, which was a disaster for Ferrari last year, but with the straight line speed of this car, they should be more competitive next week. Then Singapore where they have been strong the last few years and Mercedes has struggled. After that, unless Mercedes have some really game changing updates lined up – or we get a lot of rain affected qualifying sessions or races, where Mercedes are stronger – I can see Vettel taking back control of the championship.
The Ferrari is better balanced, has more traction out of low speed corners and has a stronger engine at the moment than the Mercedes, and this is a very winnable title for Vettel. Kimi Raikkonen was unlucky this weekend. Poor strategy in qualifying meant that Raikkonen was not out on track when it was fastest, and then he got a puncture and had to retire from the race.
The newly reformed Force India team had a great day, with Sergio Perez finishing fifth and Esteban Ocon sixth, picking up 18 points. The team has been taken over by Lance Stroll’s father Lawrence during the summer break. The rules mean that they had to restart from zero points as a new entrant. The change means that there is likely to be a reshuffling of drivers in the coming weeks, with the possibility that Stroll will move from Williams to Force India, replacing Ocon. If that happens, it could open the door for a remarkable F1 comeback for Polish F1 star Robert Kubica.
The halo driver head protection device, introduced this season, has not been popular for its looks, but there is no doubt that it did its job today, with Charles Leclerc thankful to have it to protect him from Fernando Alonso’s flying McLaren in a huge startline accident. The black marks on the halo are testament to the fact that it saved his life.
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Posted on 30 July 2018
By James Allen
For the second race in succession, Lewis Hamilton won a race he didn’t expect to win going into the weekend. Ferrari had the faster car in Germany last weekend but rain intervened and Sebastian Vettel crashed.
This weekend in Hungary he had a faster car again, but rain in qualifying handed the advantage to Hamilton, who took pole. Then in the race Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas did an excellent job to hold the Ferraris behind him at the start and later in the race, as Vettel came through on a different strategy.
“What a beautiful day. We came here knowing that the Ferraris were going to be quick. We’ve deserved the holiday that’s coming. I’m not a laying on the beach type of guy, we have to keep pushing for the second half of the season,” said Hamilton after the race.
We’ve said all along this season that Ferrari will only beat Mercedes to the championship if they execute perfectly and this was another winnable race that got away, even after the disappointments of qualifying and the start.
With a free choice of start tyres due to the wet qualifying, Vettel chose the soft tyre, compared to the ultrasoft on the Mercedes and ran a longer first stint. His race then hinged on his pit stop being executed perfectly, but the team lost two seconds and that was enough to mean that he came out behind Bottas in third place, losing the chance to attack Hamilton on fresher tyres in the closing stages. The race would have been very intense to the end, had Vettel managed to clear Bottas.
Kimi Raikkonen’s third place was his fifth consecutive podium, a rich run of form for the Finnish driver who is hoping to retain his seat with Ferrari for next season in the face of stiff competition from junior driver Charles Leclerc.
Having done an excellent team “domestique” wing-man role for Hamilton and Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas got into trouble in the closing stages on worn tyres as he collided with Vettel, breaking his front wing, and later with Ricciardo. He gave the place back to Ricciardo, to avoid being penalised by the stewards.
Hamilton leads into Summer Break
Hamilton goes into the summer break with a 24-point margin over Vettel, the largest points lead that either he or Vettel have enjoyed at any stage of this season. This is quite a result, given that Ferrari have done an excellent job of developing their car. But the rain in Germany and Hungary has shown that if the red cars have a weakness it is in wet conditions. They will have to be careful in Spa, where it often rains.
But in general Ferrari are still very much in contention for the championship and Mercedes need to work hard.
It’s been made even tougher by the death of Ferrari’s chairman Sergio Marchionne last week.
Red Bull fuming after engine failure
Max Verstappen looked set to play his part in the story after an excellent start and was in contention before his engine failed on lap 6. The pace of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who finished fourth, from 12th on the grid, indicates that Verstappen could have had a shot at the podium and even the win.
Red Bull’s junior driver Pierre Gasly had an exceptional weekend, qualifying and finishing in sixth place in the Honda powered Toro Rosso, against much faster cars.
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Posted on 23 July 2018
Lewis Hamilton could not believe that he had won the German Grand Prix from 14th place on the grid, the lowest grid slot he had ever won from in over a decade as a Formula 1 driver.
"I mean, it’s obviously very, very difficult from that position and highly unlikely, but you’ve always got to believe. I said a long, long prayer before the race started," said Hamilton of his phenomenal race. "But the team did such a great job, the car was fantastic today. Honestly, I’m so grateful. I would never have though you could do something like that today, but I just kept pushing, I kept believing and it happened."
Just like Silverstone, this race at the Hockenheimring began as a Vettel vs Bottas battle at the front and a Hamilton fightback through the field, then ending with a 10-lap dash to the flag after a late Safety Car.
Mercedes has been criticised at times for strategy calls this season, but here it was a win based on a strategy decision. Weather played its part and teams had to guess what would be the best tyre as the rain arrived, but then it eased. Mercedes gave Hamilton a set of ultrasoft tyres, gambling that the rain would not be so intense and the ultrasoft would be the best tyre in that condition.
Vettel was caught out. The German had controlled the race overall, but crashed out sensationally in the stadium section, with less than a quarter of the race remaining, throwing away 25 points and the Drivers’ Championship lead.
It was as costly as the crash he had at the start of last season’s Singapore Grand Prix. The difference this time, however, is that this year, Vettel can be confident he will have many other chances to win this season.
Team boss Toto Wolff said that Mercedes had not been the fastest car this weekend and called on the team to address that for the races ahead in the season. One area Ferrari are clearly stronger now is on the engine, which has been Mercedes’ ace card since 2014.
Later in the race, after Vettel’s accident, the Safety Car was deployed and Bottas and Raikkonen were able to take new ultrasoft tyres. Bottas challenged his teammate for the lead at the restart, but Mercedes told him to hold position in second place.
Team orders also at Ferrari
Ferrari again appeared to use Kimi Raikkonen as a tactical chess piece in their quest to win the Drivers' Championship for Vettel. The Finn was pitted early on lap 15 to both challenge Bottas and to cover Hamilton's progress through the field.
But what started that way, instead ended up with him sitting in front of Vettel after the German's stop, holding him up. Vettel on the radio described the approach as 'silly'. Raikkonen was eventually also told to let his team leader through.
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Posted on 11 July 2018
With over 15 combined years in the entertainment industry working on more than 55 large-scale concerts and festivals, both Singapore GP’s Senior Operations Executive Patrick Chan and Entertainment Executive Sarah Lu know to always expect the unexpected. As part of the Entertainment Operations team, it’s their responsibility to ensure patrons are kept entertained between the on-track race action, and artistes are well taken care of from arrival to departure.
Senior Operations Executive Patrick Chan (2nd from Left) and Entertainment Executive Sarah Lu (4th from Left) with part of the Entertainment Operations team.
Tell us about your day-to-day responsibilities pre-race?
SARAH – We start planning the entertainment grid at least a year ahead, even before the previous race has ended. With over 150 entertainment acts to secure, exciting concept areas to curate across the entire Circuit Park for 3 days…we have to do a lot of research! It’s like completing a puzzle, filling in slots, making sure that no matter where a patron is, there is always something to do, see and enjoy – it’s not as easy as it seems!
Training is also key and a big part of what we do. We need to be sure that our crew are sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the event site, to ensure they are comfortable in their tasks and have the relevant know-how to manage people and unexpected situations.
PATRICK – Once we confirm our full line-up, the groups are then split among the team, and we interface directly with an average of 15-18 artiste groups to ensure everything pertaining to their engagements with us are taken care of – from hotel and transport arrangements, call times for rehearsals/sound-checks and performance days as well as any special requirements or questions that they may have in the lead up to the race weekend.
What are the top three things you look for when selecting an act for the event?
SARAH + PATRICK - We are a multi-faceted event that’s jam-packed with content so we often place ourselves in the shoes of a patron who is walking through the site deciding where to go next. Key considerations would be:
With the Marina Bay as your playground, how do you mange the space effectively for fringe entertainment?
SARAH - We walk around the site…a lot. We stare at maps a whole lot too. Each area comes with its own set of challenges and constraints, so a lot of planning goes into curating a concept and making it work for a crowd in the space provided. We always take feedback into account, and look back at past editions to see how we can make the experience even better for patrons each year.
PATRICK - In 2017 a new Grandstand was introduced at Empress Lawn. We were then tasked to think a way to activate the space effectively. Taking advantage of the picturesque setting of the lawn, we curated an intimate performance stage featuring some acoustic acts from around the world along with a larger than life theatre production; Spheres by Melbourne-based performing arts company Strange Fruit. This gave patrons in that area good reason to stick around the lawn in between races and made for many photo-ready moments.
Australian arts company, Strange Fruit put on a whimsical acts, Spheres, against the backdrop of the Victoria Theatre.
Any funny or weird requests that you’ve had to manage?
SARAH + PATRICK - We’ve gotten very interesting requests over the years. Some of the memorable tasks we’ve had to accomplish:
People are surprised when I tell them I also do this…
PATRICK - Curate the background music for most of the stages, and occasionally pre-record special announcements for crowd control, waste management, etc.
SARAH - Whatever it takes to dress up the stage - assembling light fixtures, steam ironing flags and even planning the landscape.
See what they’re up to this year – click hereto check out this year’s entertainment highlights!
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Posted on 9 July 2018
By James Allen
Sebastian Vettel drew level with legendary racer Alain Prost on 51 Formula One victories, a real milestone, after this measured drive at Silverstone. He finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen on the podium.
Vettel got the lead from pole sitter Hamilton at the start and had the race under control. His task was made easier by the fact that his main title rival, Lewis Hamilton, was taken out by Vettel’s Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen at the start and the Finn was given a 10-second penalty at his first pit stop as a punishment.
"Interesting tactics from the other side today, but we'll do what we can to fight them and improve in the next couple of races,” said Hamilton on the incident.
Nevertheless, it was a calm and measured drive by Vettel, which required him to pass Valtteri Bottas for the lead with a bold move at Brooklands corner after two consecutive late Safety Car periods.
Mercedes chose not to pit under the Safety Car for new soft tyres, unlike their rivals, which left Bottas and Hamilton on used mediums. They had both been very quick on those tyres in the stint preceding the Safety Car, and in Hamilton’s case, it meant that he was able to get track position ahead of Ricciardo and Raikkonen. But with older tyres he could not challenge Vettel for the win.
In Bottas’ case it was more difficult; he gained the lead, when Vettel pitted, but struggled on the used harder tyres and slipped to fourth at the flag.
Midfield battle entertains
The battle in the midfield was entertaining as usual, with positions six to ten finishing within six seconds of each other.
Nico Hulkenberg came out as the best of the rest (behind the three teams) in the Renault ahead of Force India’s Esteban Ocon. But Charles Leclerc will consider himself unfortunate, after running strongly behind Hulkenberg, he lost what could have been a seventh place finish when a wheel was not attached properly at the pit stop. Fernando Alonso had a strong drive in the McLaren, making an early pit stop and getting ahead of the Haas of Kevin Magnussen. With Haas’ other car of Romain Grosjean crashing, it wasn’t the points haul that Haas expected from the British Grand Prix after a strong qualifying performance.
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Posted on 2 July 2018
By Kate Walker
Double disaster for Mercedes
What should have been an easy win for Mercedes at a circuit the team have dominated in recent years descended into disaster, when first Valtteri Bottas and then Lewis Hamilton retired with mechanical failures. Bottas, who started on pole, lost the lead going into the first corner. Hamilton led his teammate with Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen giving chase behind. On lap 14, Bottas was out with hydraulic failure, and the virtual safety car was deployed. Hamilton was the only front-runner not to pit, and while the Briton was attempting to make up places on track his car refused to play ball. A loss of fuel pressure saw the championship leader out of the race - and out of the lead of the title fight - on lap 63.
Commenting on his disappointing race, Hamilton said: "This is definitely the worst weekend that I can remember for a long time. Everyone in the team will be feeling pain today, but we've got to take out the positives of the weekend. The car has been great all weekend, we were quickest and we've had such great reliability for so many years. So as painful as it is, we have to take the rough with the smooth.”
Ricciardo’s birthday blues
Birthday boy Daniel Ricciardo, who turned 29 on race day, had little to celebrate, having retired from a race his Red Bull was fast enough to win. The Australian began complaining of blistering tyres very early on, following a hard push that put Ricciardo ahead of Raikkonen and in third place following a dramatic overtake at Turn 4 on lap 21, when the Red Bull driver was still fresh from a lap 15 pit stop. Before the race was half run, Ricciardo’s left rear tyre was more gouged than blistered, with a dramatic band running down the centre of the rubber that left the usually smiling Australian begging the team for fresh rubber. A second stop at the end of lap 38 should have given Ricciardo the chance to fight back on track, but on lap 54 the birthday boy was stopped at Turn 1, with a series of problems at the rear of the car culminating in gearbox failure.
Mad Max gives Red Bull a longed-for victory
That the Red Bull Ring had only ever seen victory for Mercedes since F1’s return to the circuit in 2014 was something of an embarrassment for Red Bull Racing. That embarrassment came to an end on Sunday afternoon, when Max Verstappen delivered his team with the home grand prix win they had been waiting for - in front of a crowd of an estimated 20,000 Dutch fans clad in orange to support their hero. As his on-track rivals struggled with high levels of tyre degradation and serious blistering, the F1 ingénue drove a calm and controlled race, leading the pack from the early virtual safety car to the chequered flag, feeling no pressure at all from the champions breathing down his neck at the end.
Verstappen said after winning the race: “I’m so happy to win at the Red Bull Ring, and with so many Dutch fans here. It was also so unexpected, and that makes it even better. An amazing weekend. If you want to win a race this is the perfect place, in a Red Bull car at the Red Bull Ring.”
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Posted on 25 June 2018
By James Allen
Hamilton wins with updated engine as Vettel recovers from early mistake
Lewis Hamilton moved back into the F1 World Championship lead, by 14 points over Sebastian Vettel with this win in the French Grand Prix. Max Verstappen was second and Kimi Raikkonen third. Vettel could only manage 5th place after a “Driver of the Day” recovery drive following a collision with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in Turn 1 at the start. Both drivers were forced to pit for soft tyres to do a long stint.
Lewis Hamilton leads at the start of the race as Sebastian Vettel locks up and hits Valtteri Bottas
Hamilton was back on top after not winning since the Spanish Grand Prix. It was his 44th win for Mercedes car number 44 of Hamilton in his Mercedes career. The team brought a revised engine for this weekend and it clearly gave Hamilton an extra boost in qualifying, which allowed him to take pole position in qualifying and control the race from the start.
The incident with Bottas was judged to be Vettel’s fault and he was given a five second penalty, which he served in a late race pit stop. Mercedes’ Niki Lauda complained about the penalty being too lenient, for an incident that robbed his team of the chance to get a 1-2 finish.
Commenting on the incident, Vettel said: “My start was too good! And I ended up with nowhere to go. It was my mistake, Valtteri tried to get his position back, which is fair enough and unfortunately we made contact. It’s a shame because we had enough pace to race Mercedes today.”
Leclerc continues to shine. Ferrari next year?
Charles Leclerc had an amazing weekend in France. The Monagasque driver qualified an impressive 8th on the grid, the first time he has managed to get into the final Q3 part of the qualifying session.
Charles Leclerc in his Alfa Romeo Sauber
His Sauber was no match for some of the cars around him on the grid and inevitably he fell behind Magnussen and Hulkenberg, but nevertheless managed to score championship points for the fourth time in five races. That is more than the Sauber team managed in the 2016 and 2017 seasons combined.
Coming into the race weekend there was much talk that this strong form could propel the 21-year-old into Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari seat next season. It’s not Ferrari’s custom to put rookies into their cars, but Leclerc is surely their long term replacement, so it is only a matter of time.
Dark Days for Williams and McLaren
The last time F1 raced at Paul Ricard in France in 1990, Williams and McLaren were front running teams, who won many championships in that era with great name drivers like Senna, Prost and Mansell.
This weekend McLaren were placed at 16 and 17 on the starting grid, their worst of season. Williams were 18 and 19, positions that they are getting used to, sadly.
It did not get much better in the race, as McLaren finished in 12 and 16, while Williams finished at 15 with one retired. What makes matters worse is that they use the same engines as Red Bull and Mercedes respectively, so it’s very clear to see how far off the pace their chassis performance is.
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Posted on 12 June 2018
By James Allen
Ferrari hadn’t won the Canadian Grand Prix since Michael Schumacher’s seventh and last win there in 2004.
But Sebastian Vettel put that to bed with a dominant win from pole position. He kept the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas at arm’s length to secure a win which takes him back to the top of the drivers’ championship by just one point over Lewis Hamilton on a day when Mercedes were not at their best and made some mistakes.
It also summed up how unpredictable this F1 season is and also how circuit dependent competitiveness is.
For example, the last three races have each been dominated by the winner, but in each case it has been a different driver and team combination. Lewis Hamilton dominated Spain, Daniel Ricciardo Monaco and now Vettel in Canada.
Max Verstappen has been under pressure lately for being involved in too many accidents, but he kept his nose clean here to score a podium, which will calm the situation.
Hamilton had a chance to equal Schumacher this weekend on seven wins, showing how dominant he has been at Montreal in the last decade but he wasn’t on the pace and also had some issues with bodywork which led to overheating and a slight delay in his pit stop to fix that meant that he lost track position to Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull.
It is interesting how Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reacted. He has rarely called out his team after a performance - the drivers maybe in the Rosberg vs Hamilton days - but not the team.
So it’s noteworthy that he had some strong words for the team after the race, calling on them to regain focus and resolve the errors that hampered their Canadian Grand Prix weekend. With the win ratio now Ferrari 3; Red Bull 2; Mercedes 2. It’s quite a change from the last few years.
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Posted on 30 May 2018
By James Allen
Daniel Ricciardo’s victory in Monaco is certainly redemption for the win that got away in 2016, when the Red Bull team made a pit stop blunder that handed the win to Lewis Hamilton.
He dominated the weekend, topping the time sheets in practice and setting a stunning pace in qualifying with the fastest ever lap of the Monaco circuit. He did a fantastic job to hold on and win the race after he developed a problem on his hybrid system, which meant a 25% power loss and overheating brakes - with 50 laps to go to the finish.
It is also significant as it means that of the first six Grands Prix of the season, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes have all won twice. This speaks of an open championship that pundits were predicting before the season started.
It is circuit dependent to some extent; the Red Bull has lacked on the power circuits so far, but clearly has an excellent chassis, the Mercedes has struggled on tighter tracks, while the Ferrari has been good in most places and could have had more points and wins if it had managed some of the early races better.
Red Bull will be quite optimistic as they are due a major engine upgrade from Renault for the next Grand Prix.
However, while Ricciardo was magnificent, his team mate Max Verstappen is set for a stern lecture from his team after a sixth consecutive race in which he made a costly unforced error. This time it was in practice where he crashed heavily and was unable to take part in qualifying.
He had the car to win Monaco and he finished ninth. It’s costing his team as much as it is hurting him.
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Posted on 14 May 2018
By James Allen
A strong weekend for Mercedes with their first 1-2 finish of the season and for Lewis Hamilton, who won the race from pole position. Meanwhile Ferrari made another tactical error, costing Sebastian Vettel a second place when he made an extra pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car. They felt obliged to do that, having opted to make their first stop early in the race, so they didn’t believe he could make the finish on his set of tyres.
Hamilton’s result means that 15 of the last 18 Grands Prix in Barcelona have been won from pole position, showing that, like the Singapore GP, track position is king at this circuit.
In contrast to the previous race in Baku, where there was a lot of overtaking, here in Spain it was in short supply. Fernando Alonso put a wonderful move on Esteban Ocon in the early stages of the race around the outside of the long, fast Turn 3.
Hamilton’s result means that the gap went out to 17 points in the drivers’ championship due to Vettel finishing in fourth place. Mercedes also took the lead in the Constructors’ championship.
Both Mercedes drivers did very well to make the tyres last to the end after stopping early in the race after Vettel had made the first stop. Bottas managed to make his tyres last for 47 laps. It wasn’t his plan to do the race with only one stop, but he managed it. Hamilton had things more under control throughout.
Max Verstappen finished on the podium despite suffering severe damage on his front wing from running into the back of a slower Williams car.
Next Grand Prix is Monaco, which will be a close fight, with Red Bull and Ferrari both likely to be very fast on the twisty street circuit.
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Posted on 30 April 2018
By Kate Walker
Battles at Red Bull lead to double retirement
It was like Istanbul 2010 all over again as the battling Red Bulls managed to take each other out of the race on lap 40, throwing away a chunk of championship points in the process. The collision -- which saw Daniel Ricciardo rear-end Max Verstappen, pitching both men into the Turn 1 escape road -- was the inevitable outcome of a battle that started when the pair banged wheels on lap 12, starting a race-long dice for track position that the Red Bull pit wall encouraged as long as it was kept clean. Verstappen had previously shut the door on Ricciardo on more than one occasion, but it was the young Dutchman’s repeated moves under braking that ultimately led to the race-ending shunt.
Leclerc shows his star power with first F1 points
Ferrari protege -- and Sauber driver -- Charles Leclerc scored his first F1 points during his fourth grand prix, crossing the line in an impressive sixth place, five positions ahead of his vastly more experienced teammate. Having dominated F2 last season, Leclerc arrived in the Formula One paddock with a weight of expectation on his shoulders, and in Baku on Sunday the Monegasque racer showed what he was made of, making the most of the strategy put together by Ruth Buscombe and keeping himself out of trouble in what was a race of high attrition. The future Ferrari star’s performance will have both Raikkonen and Vettel watching their backs.
Chaotic final laps cause Baku classic
After an exciting start, the third running of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix looked like it was turning into something of a damp squib. But the final ten laps following the double retirement from Red Bull delivered a chaotic thriller. Sebastian Vettel lunged for the lead on the Safety Car restart, and locked up in the process, running off track and dropping to fourth with a nasty flat spot. Bottas inherited the lead, ran over debris, and was out of the race. Hamilton was in prime position to secure his first win of 2018, while Vettel fell prey to the Force India of Sergio Perez, the Mexican taking the third podium place behind Kimi Raikkonen. The title fight is alive and kicking.
Get up close to your favourite Mercedes’ drivers at the exclusively curated Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Experience at the FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, hosted at the legendary Silver Arrows Hospitality Suite. Find out more here.
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Posted on 16 April 2018
By Kate Walker
D-Ric delivers career-changing drive
Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 future became even more of an open question after a blistering drive that saw the Red Bull driver swoop past Max Verstappen, Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel before pouncing on race leader Bottas. Ricciardo’s performance was boosted by Red Bull’s decision to pit both their drivers under the safety car, swapping both men to the ultrasoft compound. An error from Verstappen saw Ricciardo slide past his teammate with ease, and an assured series of ballsy manoeuvres put the popular Australian at the head of the pack until the chequered flag. It was an excellent result following a miserable opening two rounds for D-Ric.
Mad Max ruins SebVet’s day
Having led the race from pole until the pit stop window opened, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was focussed on fighting his way back to the front from third place, behind teammate Kimi Räikkönen and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas when a rash manoeuvre by Max Verstappen on lap 43 sent both the Red Bull and the Ferrari spinning. Verstappen recovered his car before Vettel was able to, and the third-placed German dropped to seventh. Even a 10-second penalty for Verstappen was not enough to bump Vettel back up the order; having struggled with his tyres following the trip off track, the championship leader was passed in the closing stages by Fernando Alonso.
Toro Rosso own goal costs Mercedes a possible win
After a great weekend in Bahrain, China spelled disaster for Toro Rosso when their two drivers collided. Not only did both Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley lose track position as a result of their clash, but Gasly was handed a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision, making a bad day worse. The debris from the shunt saw Race Control bring out the Safety Car, the timing of which cost Valtteri Bottas -- the race leader when the Toro pair made contact -- a possible win, as his older tyres and one-stop strategy made the Finn vulnerable to the charging Ricciardo on fresh ultrasoft rubber.
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Posted on 11 April 2018
“You work for just three days in a year?” – a question Singapore GP employees frequently face when meeting well-meaning associates.
We chat with key personnel from the race promoter to find out what they do for the rest of the year in the lead up to Asia’s largest sporting and entertainment extravaganza, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
Janette Tan, Senior Manager, Race Operations, is tasked to ensure on-track activities at the Marina Bay Street Circuit are conducted in a safe and sporting manner. Janette has been working on the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix since the inaugural race in 2008. Her team manages over 1,000 volunteer race officials with one of the highest retention rates amongst the Formula 1 circuits.
In addition, the busy mother of one represents Singapore in the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and is the General Secretary at Motor Sports Singapore and Chairperson of the Volunteers & Officials Commission.
What’s your typical day in the office like?
There is no typical day because it varies, depending on the events throughout the year.
The Race Operations team officiates at various local motorsports events from February to December. We recruit volunteer race officials in March, and conduct theory-based training sessions from May right through to the race weekend in September.
We also have to prepare for the race weekend – basic necessities such as meals, beverages, sunscreen and gloves for the marshals as well as logistical items for the race including tilt-trays, cranes and medical services are procured by June.
There are also monthly meetings with the committee and trainers as well as briefing sessions for our senior officials.
I am also the point of contact to FIA Formula One Race Director, Charlie Whiting. Hence, I work closely with our technical team and make sure Charlie is kept updated on any changes to the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Over the race weekend, I take on several roles with the help of my team. In addition to being a Volunteer Manager, I am the National Clerk of the Course where I ensure the conduct of support races such as the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific are run to the highest standards. During the Formula One sessions, I will deputise the Clerk of the Course.
What is your favourite part of the job?
I really like interacting with the race officials. They come from all walks of life and it is interesting to know so many people beyond the officiating aspects. Over the past 10 years, we have cultivated a close-knit family environment amongst the officials. We have seen couples who met at the Singapore Grand Prix, get married and now have three kids! One of our Senior Officials recently received his doctorate and we held a mini celebration for him over the weekend. They are a very fun bunch of people to hang out with and I feel very lucky to be in this job.
I also like to enjoy a quiet moment alone at the pit lane at 1am on Sunday morning when the top 10 Formula One qualifiers are completing their weigh-in and checks. It feels surreal that I am actually part of this great event.
How do you juggle family and work?
Time management is extremely crucial. I have a young kid but I count my blessings that I have an understanding mother who helps to care for him when I have to work weekends and late nights. I am very thankful to have friends and family members who are very supportive.
What do you look out for when selecting marshals?
We keep an eye out for anyone with good volunteering experience. It is not easy to volunteer as a race official and it takes a lot of discipline. Relevant motorsports experience is taken into consideration when selecting an official though not mandatory. Officials must also be able to follow instructions during incident management.
What advice would you give to aspiring marshals?
Be mentally and physically fit. It is not easy to stand trackside under the humid Singapore weather for 12 hours over 4 consecutive days with very little rest. It can be tempting to give up because of the amount of training you have to attend but when you make it to the end, the satisfaction is endless!
Registration is now open for aspiring race officials. We are looking for fire and medical marshals, amongst many other roles that are also available. If you're 18 years and above, physically fit, have a passion for motorsports, can commit to all training sessions and are available from 13 to 16 September, sign up at https://raceofficials.singaporegp.sg by 15 April.
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Posted on 9 April 2018
By James Allen
Ferrari were celebrating hard after this result but in fact it was a great win for Sebastian Vettel. He brought the car home, making the tyres last far longer than was thought possible and this win is 90% his work. Mercedes played a tactical chess game, switching Valtteri Bottas onto the medium compound tyre, when Ferrari expected then to use the same strategy they planned on the soft. This meant Vettel had to either pit again and risk losing the race or stick it out and try to get to the end on less robust tyres.
It was one of his best wins, in my opinion. It opens up a 17 point lead in the championship over Lewis Hamilton, which should keep this championship fight going well into the season. It is over 35 years since the last time the winner of the first two races of the season did not go on to be champion.
It was another tough race for Valtteri Bottas, who caught Vettel in the closing laps, but didn’t show enough killer instinct when presented with his one chance to overtake, at the start of the last lap. He will be kicking himself for that.
Terrible luck for Red Bull Racing; Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were both out in the first few laps. Verstappen made a great pass on Hamilton but got tagged by the front wing and it punctured his tyre. They look like they have the pace to get involved in the fight for race wins this season.
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Posted on 26 March 2018
By Kate Walker
Ferrari win on strategy, not pace
Ferrari won the Australian Grand Prix, but the Scuderia’s much anticipated strong race pace was not in evidence on Sunday. In the opening stage of the race Lewis Hamilton was able to open and extend his lead over the Ferrari pair, and it was the combination of the virtual safety car and full safety car in quick succession -- coupled with Ferrari’s decision to keep Sebastian Vettel out for as long as possible -- that gave the red racers the advantage in Melbourne. Mercedes were the faster team all weekend, but Ferrari were the better racers. The next 20 rounds of the championship look promising.
Bad omens for Red Bull
Despite their pre-season confidence in the strength of their chassis, the Australian Grand Prix proved to be a difficult weekend for Red Bull. Not only did Daniel Ricciardo suffer a grid penalty for speeding under red flags, but Max Verstappen was complaining of overheating tyres within seven laps of the lights going out. Throughout the 58 laps of Albert Park the Dutch ingenue was struggling with tyre wear, becoming increasingly frantic on the radio. On lap 9 Verstappen span on his on, losing the rear under braking and dropping three places, while mid-way through the race he was forced to return a place to Fernando Alonso, having overtaken the McLaren under the VSC.
Haas failures shape race
Haas had a crucial role to play during Sunday’s race, not only demonstrating impressive pace in the early stages but also causing the two incidents that helped decide the podium. Kevin Magnussen had an excellent start, getting the jump on Max Verstappen and running in fourth until the pit stop window opened. But trouble in the pits for both Haas drivers saw first Magnussen and then Romain Grosjean out of action on their out-laps thanks to loose wheels. A virtual safety car followed by the real safety car handed Vettel the possibility of a free pit stop, and the Ferrari driver was able to take and hold the lead until the chequered flag.
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Posted on 21 March 2018
By James Allen
After a close battle for the world championship last year between Mercedes and Ferrari, many fans around the world are hoping that the competition will be even hotter in 2018.
It is a long season, in fact the longest ever at 21 races and that means that a lot can change between the first race in Melbourne on March 25th, through the Singapore GP on September 16th, to the Abu Dhabi GP in November.
Based on the new car testing, Mercedes and world champion Lewis Hamilton have the advantage as the season gets underway, but Red Bull has shown that it has the best development potential the last few years and their car already looked very competitive in testing. They have a strong driver line up in Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, both race winners last year.
The Ferrari was also fast, but perhaps less consistent than the Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel wants to make up for the mistakes he made last season - especially in the Singapore Grand Prix where he crashed after qualifying on pole position.
So a three way title battle could well be on the cards.
The midfield in F1 is always exciting and this year it looks extremely close, with Renault, McLaren, Williams, Force India, Haas all evenly matched on pace.
Honda has switched teams from McLaren to Toro Rosso and they together with Sauber will start the season at the back. Sauber has had a boost with Alfa Romeo coming on board to provide much needed technical and commercial support, so they should come up as the year goes on.
One big change fans will notice is the driver head protection cage, dubbed the ‘halo’. It’s not attractive, but has been brought in for safety reasons to protect drivers from flying wheels and other objects.
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Posted on 5 March 2018
“You work for just three days in a year?” – a question Singapore GP employees frequently face when meeting well-meaning associates. The reality is far from that.
We chat with key personnel to find out what they do for the rest of the year in the lead up to Asia’s largest sporting and entertainment extravaganza, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
Held annually at the Marina Bay Street Circuit since the inaugural race in 2008, the home of Formula 1 night racing has attracted an average of over 250,000 spectators each year. For Singapore GP employees, the three-day event is a year-long project to ensure the smooth delivery of the highly anticipated event.
We speak to Christopher Choo, Assistant Director, Technical, for an insight of the mechanics behind the technical department. A holder of three Master’s degrees, Christopher has been involved in the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX since July 2007 first at the Singapore Tourism Board before joining Singapore GP in February 2010 where he assists senior management on strategic issues, represent the organisation at stakeholder meetings and oversee race circuit infrastructure.
What’s your typical day in the office like?
There isn’t a typical day as our work year is split into four different phases – conceptualisation, planning, execution and teardown.
Conceptualisation starts from November after we complete the teardown from the race. As we embark on a new term with Formula 1, there are new ideas we would like to explore and implement to enhance spectators’ experience. For example, the proliferation of social media usage has led to an increased demand for WiFi services around the circuit. We have continually worked on infrastructure upgrades and are pleased to be rolling out free WiFi for all hospitality facilities in 2018.
Planning takes place for most part of the year. For this year, we are looking at maintaining or changing infrastructure that can last for the next four years. This includes refreshing the track barriers, refurbishing the F1 Pit Building, changing the track fences to improve fan experience and upgrading the fibre optic network around the track, allowing us to significantly shorten the installation period of the lighting system.
On-ground execution for the race typically starts from May. 2018 will be slightly more challenging for the team because we are working on multiple upgrades, on top of delivering the typical race infrastructure. During this period, we are constantly out and about, ensuring the build is according to schedule while engaging various stakeholders and contractors throughout the day.
Teardown takes place immediately after the chequered flag is waved. As the race takes place in the heart of the city, there are high public expectations for minimal disruptions. Most roads will reopen within two days while lane closures will cease by the end of the week. The entire process restarts as we plan for the race the following year.
Tell us your typical day over the race weekend.
The final track inspection is done on Thursday afternoon of race week with our track infrastructure team, race officials, Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1. The purpose is to look at further improving drivers’ safety by making minor adjustments to the TecPro shock-absorbing barriers, concrete barriers, fences and kerbs. Once these matters are addressed, we will receive the final approval from FIA after the track and systems test in the evening.
The race weekend is particularly intense and we work 17 to 18 hours a day. Although the bulk of our work would have been done by then, we are on standby in the event of any racing incidents that may affect the infrastructure or to fix any technical issues that may arise elsewhere, such as the audio systems and superscreens throughout the Circuit Park. We usually end work at about 3am as this allows us to review plans with our contractors’ night shift teams in preparation for the next day. This could involve almost anything such as making minor adjustments to the race track, improving temporary walkways for patrons, checking on the WiFi coverage for corporate clients and repositioning facilities to improve camera views for TV broadcast. We start our day in the morning at about 9am where we review issues from the previous evening, and verify whether night works went according to schedule. The race weekend is also an opportunity for us to network with the stakeholders and members of the Formula 1 fraternity as we play host to the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.
What is your favourite part of the job?
We see through the entire project from end to end. There is a stronger sense of accomplishment compared to other major projects because we can see our plans come to life within the same year.
During the race weekend, the entire patron experience we offer is something that we are very proud of as it is truly an international event which appeals to a broad audience.
What advice would you give to aspiring engineers?
This applies to anyone in any industry – I believe one should always be proactive in your work, as well as to be open to innovate and experiment with new ideas. I started working on the Singapore Grand Prix by taking a leap of faith with limited knowledge of motorsports but have since grown tremendously on professional and personal fronts.