2015 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix

The Singapore Grand Prix was the first ever Formula One race held under the lights back in 2008. Concerns of visibility were at the top of the minds of the teams and drivers. There were talks of whether or not the “tiny” nation will accept GP cars running full speed around Marina Bay. Will the locals welcome disruptions due to road closures and being inundated by the influx of tourists?

All concerns were valid, but since the inaugural race, the Singapore Grand Prix has been going from strength to strength. The latest edition of the Singapore Grand Prix will be forever be the benchmark on how to organize a proper Grand Prix.

The weekend began with Sebastian Vettel claiming pole position over the mighty Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Daniel Ricciardo slotted in between the two Ferraris, with Kimi Raikkonen finding his pace to vault past Daniil Kyvat. The Mercedes of Hamilton slotted up in P5 with Rosberg rounding up the third row.

As the pit lane opened up, and the cars made their way to the grid, Rosberg encountered a malfunction in his car. This had his mechanics run down to the pit exit and try to revive the stricken W06. While this was going on, the sister car was called in for some precautionary checks. Having both cars failing to finish would not be in the best interest of any team. Both Mercedes were able to take the start, but it was a fast starting Sebastian Vettel on his Ferrari that led the field into turn 1. Vettel was driving his Ferrari like it was on rails. He never looked back, and by lap 2 had about a three second lead built up to his next competitor.  He registered fast sector times lap after lap. He wanted the win! Sebastian was dominant.

Lap 11 saw a gaggle of cars come into the pits for a change of tires, with everyone running according to plan. But this wouldn’t be the Singapore GP if the safety car didn’t show itself.

As Felipe Massa came out of the pits on lap 14, Nico Hulkenberg in his Force India came across the Williams of Massa and both cars touched. The Force India careened into the barriers and subsequently went out of the race. This brought out the virtual safety car and later the actual safety car, as frantic marshals went about clearing the track of debris left by the accident.

Sebastian kept his wits about and bunched up the field for the re-start. The Ferrari, now using its new-found power, sped away from the rest of the field, leaving everyone with no other option but to play catch up to the German. This went on until lap 37, when a spectator jumped the fence and decided to meander along the track. Frantic calls from the drivers to the pit wall about the track invader were sent. This left race control with no choice but to once again bring out the safety car until the breach in the track was fixed and the offender in custody of the police.

Sebastian Vettel went on to win the 2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix! Daniel Ricciardo crossed the line behind the Ferrari and the stoic Finn Kimi Raikkonen took the last step on the podium.

The win had the four-time drivers champion eclipse the legendary Ayrton Senna’s career wins, with 42 wins to Senna’s 41. Alain Prost is the next higher driver with 51, and topping the list is the great Michael Schumacher with 91 career wins.

The win tasted all that much better for Vettel. He was able to take a significant headway in his chase for his fifth drivers championship. The championship leader Lewis Hamilton failed to score any points in Singapore because on lap 34, the Mercedes crawled into the pits and out of the race. A $5 faulty hose clamp was to blame. Sebastian Vettel is now just 8 points behind second place man, Nico Rosberg, and 49 adrift of the Hamilton.

The Japanese Grand Prix is next on the calendar, and fans are expecting a resurgence from Ferrari. This will not only make racing more exciting but could also guarantee that the championship will be decided during the last race in Abu Dhabi.