Sebastien Vettel moved a step closer to winning the championship title after dominating the Singapore Grand Prix. Vettel raced away at the start of the race to build up a lead that allowed him to make a pit stop and retain the lead. Even after a safety car brought the pack together, Vettel stormed off again and eventually to victory. It was a wonderful start from Alonso, who off the grid managed to climb four places coming out of the first corner. The Spaniard held on to take second and keep his slim title hopes alive. Raikkonen amazed the paddock to take third after making up 10 places from the start. Mercedes failed to get either car onto the podium as Rosberg dropped two places and Hamilton stayed in 5th. It was a strong race from Massa who kept his spot in 6th as he looks to impress other teams in order to get a drive for next season. Mclaren saw both their drivers in the top ten as Button climbed up to 7th whilst Perez moved up six places to 8th. The two Germans of Hulkenberg and Sutil rounded off the top ten point scorers. Ricciardo and Di Resta missed out on points after both crashing their cars into the barriers whilst Grosjean and Webber were let down by their cars, forcing them to retire from the race.
My Opinion:
It was no surprise to me that Vettel stormed to victory as he is one of the best at leading races. However, I was amazed and impressed by both the performances of Alonso and Raikkonen to make the podium. Alonso needed to limit the damage to Vettel's lead and brilliantly jumped four places at the start. Raikkonen will have his team to thank for a fantastic strategy which meant he climbed 10 places. I was expecting more from Mercedes and was surprised that neither Rosberg or Hamilton were on the podium. Massa did himself justice whilst it was encouraging to see both the Mclarens in the top 10. Ricciardo and Di Resta really let an opportunity to score points go after they both crashed into a barrier. I felt for Webber at the end of the race after he was cruelly let down by his engine whilst Grosjean was let down by technical faults. A decent race which was full of excitement but the title race seems to be going to Vettel in a matter of races.
Race Guide: Key Moments:
Start: Vettel, Rosberg, Alonso (up 4), Grosjean (down 1), Webber (down 1), Massa, Hamilton (down 2), Button, Hulkenberg (up 2), Gutierrez.
Lap 1: Hamilton into 6th after passing Massa.
Lap 2: Hamilton ordered to give place back to Massa for illegal overtake.
Lap 5: Raikkonen into 11th after passing Gutierrez.
Lap 13: Raikkonen into 15th after passing Bottas.
Lap 14: Webber into 8th after passing Ricciardo.
Lap 18: Vettel makes a pit stop and retains the lead.
Lap 25: Ricciardo OUT after crashing into a barrier due to locking tyres up. Safety car deployed.
Lap 31: Safety car returns to pits.
Lap 40: Grosjean OUT after technical faults.
Lap 42: Webber into 11th after passing Rosberg.
Lap 45: Vettel makes a pit stop and retains the lead.
Lap 49: Webber into 7th after passing Gutierrez. Rosberg into 8th after passing Gutierrez. Hamilton into 9th after passing Gutierrez.
Lap 50: Di Resta into 10th after passing Gutierrez. Massa into 11th after passing Gutierrez.
Lap 54: Webber into 6th after passing Hulkenburg. Raikkonen into 3rd after passing Button.
Lap 55: Di Resta OUT after crashing into a barrier due to locking tyres up.
Lap 56: Webber into 4th after passing Button.
Lap 57: Rosberg into 6th after passing Perez. Rosberg into 5th after passing Button.
Lap 58: Hamilton into 7th after passing Perez. Hamilton into 6th after passing Button. Massa into 8th after passing Perez.
Lap 59: Massa into 7th after passing Button.
Lap 60: Rosberg into 4th after passing Webber. Hamilton into 5th after passing Webber.
Lap 61: Vettel wins the Singapore Grand Prix. Alonso second, Raikkonen third. Massa into 6th after passing Webber. Webber OUT after engine fire.
Singapore Grand Prix Result:
1. Vettel (Red Bull) 1.59.13.132
2. Alonso (Ferrari)
3. Raikkonen (Lotus)
4. Rosberg (Mercedes)
5. Hamilton (Mercedes)
6. Massa (Ferrari)
7. Button (Mclaren)
8. Perez (Mclaren)
9. Hulkenberg (Sauber)
10. Sutil (Force India)
Fastest Lap: Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull) 1.48.574
Driver Standings:
1. Vettel (Red Bull) 247
2. Alonso (Ferrari) 187
3. Hamilton (Mercedes) 151
4. Raikkonen (Lotus) 149
5. Webber (Red Bull) 130
Constructor Standings:
1. Red Bull 377
2. Ferrari 274
3. Mercedes 267
4. Lotus 206
5. Mclaren 76
Performance of the Day: Kimi Raikkonen climbed 10 places to finish 3rd.
Most Overtakes of the Day: Lewis Hamilton with 5.
Shock of the Day: Alonso climbed four places in the first corner to 3rd place.
Disappointment of the Day: Mark Webber falling victim to a very late engine fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment