18/09/2016
NEWS STORY
One of the worst side-effects of the buy-out of virtually every sport by broadcasters is the endless hyperbole.
Ever match, game, tournament, fight and race is going to be the biggest and the best, even better than the previous event of which similar promises were made and, needless to say, will also be made about all events that follow.
We do not want to go down that road, and have always done our level best not to. That said, we have a feeling that today's Singapore Grand Prix could be something special.
We came into the weekend with the usual puss from the teams and sections of the media, but suddenly some of it appears to be genuine.
Mercedes is under threat here, Red Bull is very strong, Ferrari could shock - indeed, Sebastian Vettel was left speechless after Q1 - and safety cars could mean any number of other teams and drivers pulling off a real shock... without needing to resort to Nelson Piquet Jr tactics.
On the face of it, Nico Rosberg has a golden opportunity to take back the lead in the title race. Teammate Lewis Hamilton has looked unconvincing all weekend, making needless mistakes as he appeared to overdrive the car. There are some circuits that drivers just don't like, and perhaps Marina Bay is one such track for the world champion.
However, Rosberg cannot take anything for granted, often known to lose races all by himself, the German will be under intense pressure from Red Bull and Kimi Raikkonen. The in-team fight at Red Bull will be interesting, Daniel Ricciardo, on blistering form in qualifying and keen to make up for Monaco, wants his first win of the season, while his precocious young teammate merely wants the opportunity to further assert himself.
Writing this prologue a couple of hours before the race, we can't help but feel that today is going to belong to Kimi. The Iceman has been strong all weekend, and is sure to be the coolest in today's strength sapping conditions.
Not that long ago he was being written off, but in our humble opinion you do so at your peril, Kimi is still capable of winning.
On the other hand, he starts alongside his nemesis Verstappen, so we could see the pair ending one another's chances in the opening moments.
While Vettel starts from the back of the grid, and will not enjoy the benefit of overtaking hot spots as enjoyed by Hamilton at spa, a good strategy and a safety car period could see the German take some serious points.
By the way, if the animal lover was at pains to avoid a couple of errant seagulls in Canada, he had better be on the lookout for monitors lizards during the course of today's race. Verstappen will be able to tell him just how big they are.
Behind the 'big three' we have a midfield pack that has never looked quite so competitive, so tight.
Running its two drivers with different aero packages - Sainz the new and Kvyat the old - the Faenza team, like Rosberg celebrating its 200th Grand Prix appearance - is back on form following the nightmares of Belgium and Italy, and looks more than capable of getting both cars home in the points.
The Faenza team will be in a fierce scrap that includes Williams, McLaren and force India, though the Silverstone outfit's strength is somewhat depleted following Sergio Perez' grid penalties, of which at least one was deserved.
In terms of the battle between Force India and Williams, this isn't hyperbole, this is about constructors' points, the points that decide just how much prize money the team receives come season end.
Promising a significant improvement here, thus far McLaren has been unconvincing. However, both drivers are confident that this will change come today's race. That said, let's hope it wasn't an omen when Alonso's car fell off its jack during pit stop practice earlier this morning.
If Romain Grosjean feels his car is the worst he has driven in a very, very long time, Haas must feel the Frenchman is the most complaining driver it has encountered in a long, long time. While the Frenchman has complained about every single component on the car, Esteban Gutierrez has quietly got on with it, to the point of out-qualifying his teammate.
For Sauber, Renault and Manor this will be another long, and somewhat muggy, couple of hours. On the other hand, with an eye on the intensity of the battles up ahead, and the almost certainty of a safety car, all three teams will be aware that points are possible... much like Monaco.
To add to the fun, Vettel will be right behind the three teams... and we all know how patient he is when it comes to back-markers. And he won't even have the luxury of blue flags.
Tyre options are ultrasoft, supersoft and soft, the Red Bull duo the only drivers in the top ten starting on the red-banded rubber. Pirelli is expecting most drivers to go for a two-stop strategy.
To add to the fun, a very heavy storm last night has washed much of the existing rubber away, leaving the track a lot less grippy.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 30 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees.
As thy head out the drivers perform practice starts, for some drivers this little rehearsal is more important than ever.
"Everything is OK, balance is about right," says Button.
Not so for Grosjean who looks likely to be starting from the pits after the team discovered a late issue thought to be related to his brake-by-wire. The Frenchman's weekend just got worse.
As they prepare to head off on the warm-up lap, all are starting on the ultrasoft bar the Red Bulls, Nasr and Palmer, who start on the supersoft, and Vettel who is on softs.
"No one has ever got a one-two finish here," Mercedes Paddy Lowe helpfully reminds us.
As the field heads of, Grosjean is out of his car, his helmet off. His race over before it even began.
The grid forms, Vettel last to arrive for the party.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore, here.
They're away! Rosberg leads into the first corner but further back someone has hit Hulkenberg who spins and spears into the pit wall. The Safety Car is deployed.
"I got hit by the Toro Rosso, I was sandwiched by them," says a despondent Hulkenberg
As the German walks back to the pits, his car having been clouted by Sainz who was avoiding a very slow Verstappen, behind the safety car it's: Rosberg, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Alonso, Kvyat, Sainz, Verstappen, Massa and Magnussen.
The safety car leads the field through the pitlane, however Bottas and Button have incurred damage and stop for repairs, The Finn having picked up a puncture and the Briton needing a new nose. The Williams is released right into the path of Vettel in what is a very busy pitlane.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 2, and Hamilton is all over Ricciardo.
Replay shows that when the race re-started there was a marshal still on track... he runs to safety.
Verstappen is all over Sainz, whose right bargeboard is flapping following that earlier collision. Vettel is up to 17th, but after passing Ocon under braking, takes 16th.
Sainz is shown the black and orange flag in lieu of his damaged bodywork, meaning he must stop to have it sorted out. This will be good news for the train, headed by Verstappen, running behind.
Lap 6 sees Ricciardo post a fastest lap (51.787) as Sainz has yet to stop.
The stewards are investigating Ocon for overtaking behind the safety car.
They are also investigating the first lap collision involving Hulkenberg and Sainz.
Sainz pits at the end of lap 7. He rejoins in 20th.
The stewards are also investigating Bottas for that unsafe release.
As Rosberg is told to manage his brakes the stewards announce that no further action is necessary in terms of the first lap crash or Bottas' release.
"This is serious Nico," comes another warning, "we really need that brake management." However, in response the German appears to up his pace.
Hamilton is getting similar warnings, told he needs to "really get on top of" his front brakes.
As Grosjean watches the race on as monitor, Hulkenberg is magnanimous in terms of that first lap clash, refusing to blame Sainz and essentially saying it was just one of those things.
Ocon is given a 5s penalty for overtaking behind the safety car.
Raikkonen is told to hassle Hamilton, aware of those radio messages relating to his brakes.
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 13, sticking with the supers. He joins in 15th just behind Ocon who refuses to yield. Nonetheless, a couple of corners later the Red Bull is through.
"Can you keep me up to date," asks Hamilton, "I have no idea what is going on." What is going on is that he is 4.1s down on Ricciardo and 11.4 down on his teammate.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 14, rejoining in 12th.
At the end of lap 15 Ricciardo and Hamilton both pit, as does Kvyat. Hamilton switches to softs and Ricciardo sticks with supers. They rejoin in 4th (Ricciardo) and 5th.
"Come on guys," says Hamilton, "I need a strategy that can get me past."
Verstappen passes Wehrlein to take 13th as Rosberg pits. It's a slow stop for the German - a problem with the right-front - who also switches to softs. Massa also pits.
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 17, switching to the supers he rejoins in 4th. Magnussen and Nasr also pit.
An epic battle between Kvyat and Verstappen for 9th, the Russian refusing to give his rival, and replacement, an inch.
It might not help his job prospects much good but the Russian is brilliant, using every inch of track to defend his position. "Come on man," moans Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Raikkonen posts a new fastest lap (49.882), taking himself within 2.9s of Hamilton.
Kvyat is told that his race is with Alonso (up ahead in 7th), but there is no clear cut suggestion to yield to Verstappen.
Meanwhile, behind the duelling pair, Massa is told to "use the overtake" if he gets the chance.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore, here.
One of the Williams (Massa?) loses its monkey seat in T22. Double yellows allow a brave marshal to remove the piece from the track.
"We need to start coming up with some plan to stop me losing third," warns Hamilton, "as this is all the pace I've got with the brakes."
Meanwhile, at the end of lap 24, Vettel pits, switching to the ultras as he rejoins in 13th making short work of Nasr.
Perez pits at the end of lap 25, his team clearly reacting to Vettel who is now ahead of the Force India. The perfect undercut, despite a lightning stop by the Force India crew.
In just a couple of corners, Vettel nails the battling Gutierrez and Sainz to take tenth.
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 27 having never passed Kvyat and finally losing his tyres. Button also pits as Verstappen rejoins in 13th.
"Is the other car having the same problem," asks Hamilton, referring to his teammate. The Briton is told that the German does have similar issues.
As Raikkonen closes to within 1.051s, Hamilton locks-up. The Finn is told that Hamilton is still hurting with his brake issues.
A new fastest lap from Vettel (49.641).
"I don't think I can get these tyres to the end, no way," says Perez, revealing a brave strategy. Moments later the Mexican is passed by the Red Bull.
"Don't forget to drink," Rosberg is told, before being reminded about his brake management.
Ricciardo makes his second stop at the end of lap 32, switching to the same softs that the Mercedes duo are currently running on. He rejoins in fourth.
Another mistake by Hamilton is all that Raikkonen needs, he's through to take second. The Briton fights back, they touch, but the battle is lost.
Rosberg, Bottas and Raikkonen all pit at the end of lap 33, the Williams driver appearing to have a problem with his seatbelts meaning a long, long stop.
As the dust settles, Hamilton now leads - but has yet to stop again - ahead of Rosberg, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Alonso, Kvyat, Vettel, Magnussen, Verstappen and Perez.
Next time around Hamilton pits, rejoining in fourth, watch by F1's new boss Chase Carey and Niki Lauda.
"Hamilton on primes behind Kimi," Raikkonen is told, "so we just need track position to the end."
Alonso pits and rejoins just ahead of Perez, the two immediately locked in battle.
Vettel passes Kvyat with ease to take 5th.
As Gutierrez pits at the end of lap 36, so too does Bottas. However, only the Mexican returns to the race. Wehrlein and Ericsson also pit.
Verstappen closes on 7th placed Magnussen, nailing him with ease in T1.
Bottas is only the third retirement of the evening.
"There may be opportunity at the end of the race," Hamilton is told, "so suggest you use all the power." The Briton is currently 5.6s down on Raikkonen.
A subsequent message tells the Mercedes driver he is being switched to 'Plan B'. "We need to pull Raikkonen in".
Hamilton responds with a new fastest lap (49.263), closing to within 4.127s of Raikkonen. Rosberg is a further 10.293s up the road.
Told the gap to Ricciardo, Rosberg replies: "Stop, stop, stop telling me that."
Vettel pits at the end of lap 42, sticking with the purple-banded ultras. He rejoins in 6th, 9.5s down on Verstappen.
Next time around Massa pits, rejoining in 13th.
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 44, promoting Vettel to fifth. Meanwhile, Button drives into his garage, his race over. Verstappen, now on softs, rejoins in 9th.
Next time around Hamilton pits, the Briton taking on supers as he rejoins in 4th.
Raikkonen is told of Hamilton's stop and urged to "push, push, push". "Are we boxing this lap," asks the Finn. "I'll let you know," is the reply.
A new fastest lap from Vettel (47.345).
Sure enough Raikkonen pits, taking on a used set of ultrasofts, rejoining just behind Hamilton.
"We're racing, we're racing, come on Kimi!" the Finn is told. "What do you want me to do in the pit lane, go faster?" he replies.
While the earlier Vettel undercut worked, this one hasn't.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore, here.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 47, which means all eyes are on Rosberg.
"Push hard now," Rosberg is told, "strap 5 and push all the way."
One minute it's a Sunday afternoon cruise, then suddenly the heat is on.
Verstappen catches the battling Kvyat and Perez and makes short work of the pair.
Box, box, box!" Rosberg is told, but a strong couple of sectors from Ricciardo sees the order scrapped. "Abort," he is told. "Important, staying out", Mercedes realising that reacting to his rivals would leave the German behind Raikkonen.
With 12 laps remaining the gap is around 25s but Ricciardo is on fresh rubber.
"At the current pace you will catch him with four laps to go," Ricciardo is told. "You are significantly quicker than the two cars behind you too!"
However, Rosberg reacts with as PB is S1. Though he loses a second in S2 and another in S3.
As Ricciardo take almost 3s off Rosberg, cutting the German's lead to 13.618s, Mercedes looks likely to fall victim to its game plan having started that last round of tyre stops.
Kvyat putting Perez under intense pressure as they battle for 8th.
Up ahead, Verstappen closes remorselessly on Alonso.
"How much more can I take out of the brakes at the end of the race," asks Rosberg. "We'll let you know," comes the reply.
"We'll definitely give you more at the end," Rosberg is eventually advised.
Verstappen nails Alonso in T7 to take 6th.
After 54 laps (of 62), Rosberg's lead is down to 7.67s.
Lap 57 is the first time since the last round of stops that Rosberg is able to pull away from Ricciardo.
Lap 59 sees Rosberg post a PB in S1 as he maintains a 4.2s gap to Ricciardo. However, the Australian takes 0.5s out of the German in S2.
As they begin the final lap, Rosberg is 2.098s ahead. He warned of traffic up ahead.
A late attack from Magnussen on Kvyat, the Dane sensing two points rather than one.
Rosberg takes the flag and the win, crossing the line just 0.488s ahead of Ricciardo.
"That was a super drive," Ricciardo is told. "Thanks guys, thanks for trying something. That was fun!" he replies.
Hamilton is one of the first to congratulate Rosberg.
"Tyres on the edge at the end?" Ricciardo asks the German, who simply grins and nods.
OK, not the classic we had hoped for, but it certainly had its moments and a nail-biting climax, not to mention some great passes and a number of outstanding drives, not least Vettel who finished 5th having started from last.
As for winner Rosberg, not a bad way to celebrate his 200th Grand Prix.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Singapore, here.