Grand Prix 2013 Singapore Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

So break out your long haul baggage boys we're back on the fly aways and we're off to Singapore.

A lot has been said about Singapore but one thing that can't be argued about is how jaw droppingly spectacular Formula One's premium night race is at on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. We all know that the idea of the night race was a concept Bernie pushed for European viewing figures but wow how amazing does it look? The lit up city of Singapore is the perfect background and its success is shown in the fact that both Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are trying to move in on the turf. I've always loved Singapore For me it is the showpiece of the fly aways, the Asian Monaco.
I know some people will agree with a cynical grunt about it being the Asian Monaco as its viewed as a dull track with very few overtaking spots and while it is true that overtakes can only be done with a great amount of skill for me Singapore is a drivers circuit and we've had our fair share of action if we look back.

The place certainly has character and history for a race that's only been running in its modern format since 2008. The very first race in 2008 was of course THAT race with THAT Piquet crash. Something that has meant the corner in question shall always been known as Piquet corner if only unofficially. But lets not forget we had some other memorable moments at that race. Who can forget the site of the (slightly tubby) Ferrari pit crew rushing down the pitlane after Massa pulled away with the fuel hose still attached leaving his championship on tatters. Alonso is still listed as the official winner of that race but very few of us agree he was. The majority of people will refer to that race as Nico Rosberg's first win which I completely disagree with. Rosberg got just as much an advantage from the Piquet crash as Alonso. If it was deemed cheating the result should have been declared from the running order the lap previous to the Piquet crash which would have made Massa the first official winner - it would also have given him half points and the 2008 world title. 2009 was all about Lewis Hamilton although most people will remember it for Rosberg's top notch performance spoiled by crossing the pitlane exit line and getting a penalty. 2010 was Alonso vs Vettel with Fernando sitting just in front of Seb for the whole 60 laps after a tasty defence off the start line. We also saw a still much debated coming together between Webber and Hamilton off a safety car re-start. 2011 was the season of Vettel dominance and Singapore was not much different and I'm still not sure whether Button was really pushing him that day or he was just taking it easy. 2011 had more to discuss with yet another Hamilton/Massa coming together. Which brings us to last year which had all the right elements for a classic with Hamilton on pole, Maldonado second and Vettel in third but when Maldo got a poor start and Lewis's gearbox went on lap 23 no one could really live with Vettel who is a master round here at the best of times. 2012 did see one first though. Michael Schumacher crashed in to the back of Jean-Eric Vergne and actually got out of the car an apologised to JEV because the accident was his fault! No wonder he chose to retire.

So race number 6 is about to come up with some slight changes to the track lay out as the Singapore Sling at turn 10 has been reconfigured so drivers have to negotiate a flowing left hander and whilst, after the last two races, expectations are low but I have a feeling Singapore is going to throw us up and event. It is true that Sebastian Vettel is king of Singapore but Alonso has always been hot round here and on occasions Hamilton has looked unbeatable but has had some very bad luck. Other than China this is probably Rosbergs best track and Button has always ran well here so we do have the right ingredients for a close fight and some wheel to wheel racing which probably bring down the already high odds of a safety car. Someone who has never had a good day at Singapore is Kimi and if you throw in the fact Grosjean has always been average here (he replicated the Piquet crash in practice in 2009 much to the embarrassment of his team) and I wouldn't expect a good weekend for the team from Enstone. Di Resta got his best result ever round here but with Force India falling away I can't see him repeating it. Williams have always been good round here but this year they'll need a miracle. Toro Rosso might be worth a bet for a result though with the car looking good, Ricciardo on a high and Vergne being a bit of a street circuit demon. Although the best bet is Hulkenberg in the top 5 as he is flying at the moment.

So love it or hate it no one can argue that Singapore isn't unique and I'm sure as always with this place we'll have something to argue with each other about for weeks afterwards.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Alonso was one of the stewards.

 

[Fenderman]

 

[no-FIAt-please]

In more detail.

 

[Jos the Boss]

Still not that bad I think...

 

[Bill Boddy]

It was on the slowing down lap where drivers go collecting marbles all over the place so are used to cars being in odd places. There are times when stewards should turn a blind eye.

 

[Westy]

Did you hear the cheers when Webber climbed aboard? Probably one of the only times people were cheering due to such a dull race (that was petty, sorry). The fans love it, so let's not try to force it out of the sport.

I know I have gone on record saying that safety is paramount, and I still stand by it. I support the stewards' decision if it was purely based on safety. However, if Alonso had pulled off the the race track (behind the white line) and the stewards had applied the same penalty then that would be ridiculous.

Some American fans tune into Nascar for the crashes. They don't tune in for the deaths or injuries that used to occur all too often. The sport made the cars safer, they didn't stop the drivers from bumping and racing. They were able to retain what made the sport great (for some people) and improve safety. F1 seem to be making the sport safe (no deaths since '94 thank God) but are losing what makes the sport great - wheel to wheel action. The FIA just seem to be trying too hard.

 

[Fenderman]

Whilst I agree that it's nice to see that sort of thing there is a time and place. Just on the exit of that corner wasn't it. If the next driver hurtling round the turn had been distracted and waving at fans the consequences for Webber running around to mount the Ferrari don't bear thinking about. Even on the cool down lap they're still romping at a fair old clip.

Earlier the same day we saw the Rossi/Leimer "T-bone" incident in the cool down lap of the GP2 sprint race and that was just a misunderstanding (or poor communication) on a straight. The stewards were quite lenient in my book and it is very rare that I come to their defense!

 

[RasputinLives]

If you look Seb thought about stopping for him.

 

[Dizzi]

Was that Seb? From the first clip it looked like Kimi slowed down with Fernando. Seb ahd already gone through.

 

[RasputinLives]

Looked like a Red Bull from the CCTV to me. But you are right I doubt Alonso even got that close to Seb on the slow down lap!

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

I'm sure 'Aussie Grit' is really gutted about the penalty. In no way compensated for by the lifelong memento of that classic shot for the photo album.

 

[Incubus]

...and for this week's quizz:

How many reprimands and ten-place grid drop would been accumulated by today's standards in this clip?

 

[sushifiesta]

It's great for us to see but from a safety point of view what they did was absolutely ridiculous, an F1 car that looks like it's going slowly is probably going as fast as a road car remember! Alonso was parked in the middle of the exit of the corner, not visible to cars entering the corner. Rosberg was close to hitting Webber when he was out of the car and Hamilton as well had to take avoiding action. A trip from Webber or a moment of distraction from one of the other drivers could have caused a very nasty accident.

 

[Jen]

Nice to know that all drivers are in control of their car at all times then and just maybe they need that frisson of excitement to let them know they are still alive - for sure, the racing rarely tells them that!

And perhaps we should all remember that F1 is a dangerous sport and the powers-that-be always used to tell you on your ticket.

 

[sushifiesta]

Yes, it's a dangerous sport and a lot has been done and people have gone to great lengths to make it as safe as it can be over the last few decades. A driver unnecessarily and unexpectedly running across the track renders all of that work completely pointless.

 

[Jen]

Which from my point of view brings humanity back into the spectacle.

I'm sorry but I don't believe in health and safety - I don't want to see anyone dead or injured - but I do believe that rules/legislation drives innovation out of and curbs human spirit. Without that you get the processions we see on a regular basis in F1.

 

[sushifiesta]

I doubt F1 would exist any more if it wasn't for health and safety, and changes in safety have arguably brought more innovation to F1 than anything else.

 

[Fenderman]

There is a basic tenet in Health & Safety which, regardless of how strict it may be in certain industries or activities, is a very sensible rule. The fundamental philosophy, enshrined in the UK's Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 can be summarised thus:

*It is the duty of employers "so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure the health safety and welfare" of all his/her employees and any other persons who may be affected by the operations and products of the enterprise.

Employees have a similar responsibility which can be summarised as:

*It is the duty of employees "so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure the health safety and welfare" of his/herself, his/her colleagues and any other persons who may be affected by, or in, the carrying out of their duties and activities.

Whilst UK law and the legislation of other countries may vary, with regard to the precise provisions and arrangements expected of businesses and their employees, the underlying philosophy is the same. In UK law there are two terms "so far as is reasonably practicable" and "so far as is practicable" that crop up in the body of the regulations.The first allows a degree of leeway to account for the cost benefits involved in the activity, whilst the second is a stricter term cognizant of expected norms within the current state of knowledge regarding the activities or operations of the enterprise.

So, since motor sport is recognised as a dangerous activity, which under the strictest H&S regime would never be allowed to happen, there is a recognition that certain levels of risk outweigh the costs (human and financial) and as such are acceptable. However, this is under the proviso that the actions of employers and employees observe the basic philosophy that is aimed at protecting health, safety and welfare, etc.

Sorry to be so long winded but here is the point ("At last!" I hear you shout). Mark and Fernando unequivocally broke the golden rule. Their actions put themselves and others at an unacceptable and, most importantly, an avoidable level of risk. The international community has devolved powers to the FIA (although I don't know the technicalities of this) to legislate and apply the law with regard to the motor sports that it governs. Therefore the FIA and its officials had an obligation to take a punitive action.

Further, in the light of the duties of employers, Alonso's and Webber's employers are also expected to take some action. At the very least Ferrari and Red Bull need to be seen to be meeting their H&S obligations. I suspect, though, that a few stern words in private is about all their drivers will get.

*Note: My wording here is an extremely brief summation of the responsibilities of organisations and their employees .

 

[KekeTheKing]

Let's be honest, this was a foolish move by Alonso. It was a simply terrible place to park a car. Not to mention the corner being completely blind.

Warwick said that if this operation had been carried out with even a modicum of precaution, then a penalty might not have been necessary. Unfortunately Fernando and Mark went about it rather haphazardly, which rightly earned them a "Reprimand". But it is indeed a pity that this has become Webber's third "Reprimand" .

 

[Jen]

Whilst I applaud your research Fenderman, I have trouble accepting the principle.

The crowd loved it, there were no deaths or injuries and life is full of possibles - but, of course, none of that is current thinking.

There was a time when 'reprimands' made people think out the box, now they just stifle.