10 September 2017 – Formula 1 will visit Singapore and the spectacular Marina Bay Street Circuit for the 10th time next weekend. GPUpdate.net looks back at some of the standout moments from the history of the night race.
2008: “I had a little outing…”
Formula 1 visited Singapore amid much fanfare in 2008, with the streets of Marina Bay hosting the inaugural night race. Renault entered the event having struggled for form, with its future uncertain, while Fernando Alonso’s strong practice pace came to nought when a problem forced him out in Q2. Renault concocted a plan, which involved Nelson Piquet Jr. crashing to bring out the Safety Car, thus aiding Alonso. The idea worked, and Alonso was victorious, while initial suspicions were played down among the widespread feeling that someone could not formulate such a plan. And yet, 11 months later, the truth unravelled…
2010: Heikki the Fireman
Formula 1’s new-for-2010 teams debuted amid a baptism of fire and Lotus took the phrase a little too literally in Singapore. During the closing stages, Heikki Kovalainen suffered a dramatic failure, leading to flames pouring from his T127. He climbed from the charring car and calmly grabbed an extinguisher from marshals to remove the danger, as the race continued to his right. Alonso went on to win, this time without the assist of a crashing team-mate, after keeping Sebastian Vettel at bay throughout.
2012: Hamilton gears up for Mercedes
McLaren developed a strong car for 2012 but Lewis Hamilton’s title prospects were hindered by a sequence of strategic issues, pit-stop blunders, reliability woes and incidents elsewhere. In Singapore, Hamilton dominated, taking pole by half a second and holding an advantage in race trim. However, a gearbox problem forced him out, ending his slim title ambitions. At the time, Hamilton’s future remained up in the air, and after retiring he was visited by Niki Lauda; a week later, he confirmed his move to Mercedes. A faulty gearbox had a potentially influential role in F1 history…
2014: Rosberg’s faulty wiring loom
Mercedes dominated Formula 1’s new era in 2014 and battle royale looked set to continue around the city streets. However, a wiring loom issue on his steering wheel hampered Nico Rosberg’s prospects and, while he made the starting grid, he was unable to get going on the formation lap. Rosberg re-joined at the back and made only gradual progress before a worsening gearbox problem left him seconds off the pack. Mercedes ultimately retired Rosberg, while Hamilton went on to win – and take the points lead.
2015: Vettel wins, Verstappen’s ‘no!’
Mercedes continued to rule the roost in 2015 but its W06 was mysteriously off the pace in Singapore, enabling Ferrari’s Vettel to take a comfortable victory. Meanwhile, the simmering relationship between Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. boiled over when the Dutchman responded with a resounding “no!” when asked to let his team-mate, who was on fresher tyres, ahead, in a bid to attack Sergio Pérez. Sainz Jr. was not pleased…
Source :http://feeds.gpupdate.net
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