F1 2010 Singapore Gran Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit

[RidgeBack]

I've been reading the pre-race interviews at it seems like this is going to be another relatively open race.

RBR has proved they have a good high downforce car but with the new tests on the floor and the wings it may not have that edge anymore.

McLaren has been working on their high downforce setup so I expect them to do a little better. Plus some of the bumps on the corners and curbing has been changed so this will suit their chassis better than last year.

Ferrari has a good high downforce config too so they will be in the hunt.

Renault is also suited to the track with the renault engine possibly being the easiest engine to get the power down on corner exits which will obviously make it easier for Renault and RBR.

Nick is now with Sauber and Pedro off to Pirelli for tire testing so they both may have a head start on the tires next year but Nick has to learn this year's tires and this circuit. When asked about this circuit he says he uses the playstation (and his own simulator) to learn the track - as well as watch on board camera footage.

Alonso likes this track with a past win and a podium. Although the win was controversial.

Vettel has set pole here and I think he really needs the points.

Super Soft and Medium tires are available and rain is expected for P1. Although it could rain over the weekend too.

Rain, night, bright lights, I wonder what that'll do for the visibility.

It's a street circuit so the cars are only going to get faster and faster as well as more rubber gets laid down. Hopefully the rain wont wash it all away.

Should be a super race since there are 3 decent overtaking spots.

I'd say it's anyone's game but I'd give a slight nod to RBR and Renault for the chassis engine combination.

[Jmabarone]

I'd say it's anyone's game but I'd give a slight nod to RBR and Renault for the chassis engine combination.

+1
excellent intro

[Shak. G]

Excellent introduction I must also agree but from here on I must offer a paradox (in reality, it could possibly be true.) I’ll make the call that it is either Alonso or Lewis on pole simply because in my opinion, the red bulls were circumventing the rules all along, only to be exposed when the recent tests were conducted on the front wing. Basically I am saying that they were cheating and given their performance during the last race, I feel strong in my conviction. I am prepared to take the full wrath of BFCPM if the bulls lock out the front row or even if one of them takes pole position.

[RidgeBack]

Excellent introduction I must also agree but from here on I must offer a paradox (in reality, it could possibly be true.) I’ll make the call that it is either Alonso or Lewis on pole simply because in my opinion, the red bulls were circumventing the rules all along, only to be exposed when the recent tests were conducted on the front wing. Basically I am saying that they were cheating and given their performance during the last race, I feel strong in my conviction. I am prepared to take the full wrath of BFCPM if the bulls lock out the front row or even if one of them takes pole position.

Yep, RBR's front wing was moving - as evidenced during the races.

However, Ferrari's and William's front wings were also moving prior to Monza but just not as much as RBRs but IMO more than allowed. There's photos on the web and youtube vids (if they haven't been taken down).

But, I agree, it's going to be interesting because everyone (including RBR, Ferrari, and Williams) are going to have to pass the new floor and wing tests.

[Jmabarone]

I am a RBR fan, so I hope this doesn't come off as just a fan-boy thing, but I don't really think RBR was cheating with their wing. Sure, their wings were flexing, but for the given test, they were legal. They figured out how to make something pass the tests but still do what the test wanted to prevent, bravo to them. the same goes for the F-duct....not in the spirit of the rules, but it works.

I'm always impressed by the "illegal" parts that F1 teams come up with...mass dampers, wheel covers for aero, Ferrari's bridge wing, the F-duct, flexible front wings, Ferrari's front floor from a few years back, double/triple diffusers...the list could go on forever, I think.

Bring on the race!

[M3Alpine99]

That is the beauty of F1 engineering. Here is the rule... and they figure out how to stay within the rule and get the best performance.

It is wide open really. Hard to really call something as others have said. I don't think it will be a surprise team on the pole.

[RidgeBack]

I am a RBR fan, so I hope this doesn't come off as just a fan-boy thing, but I don't really think RBR was cheating with their wing. Sure, their wings were flexing, but for the given test, they were legal. They figured out how to make something pass the tests but still do what the test wanted to prevent, bravo to them. the same goes for the F-duct....not in the spirit of the rules, but it works.

I'm always impressed by the "illegal" parts that F1 teams come up with...mass dampers, wheel covers for aero, Ferrari's bridge wing, the F-duct, flexible front wings, Ferrari's front floor from a few years back, double/triple diffusers...the list could go on forever, I think.

Bring on the race!

I'm an RBR fan too.

If it really was/is cheating then they'd have been fined and points removed etc. So, because the rules aren't specific enough they're open to interpretation. I wonder how many lawyers it took to read through the rules, then check the specifics of the wing, and then allow the teams to use the flexible wings?

I love the tech stuff too. I recall the ground effect days and that was insane.

I'm really interested to hear what the 2013 rules are going to be.

[bigrojo37]

If they havent been caught, they havent been cheating. Simple as that.

[Kredithai]

Hope RB has stronger brakes this time

[E39 GaGaN]

Go Mclaren Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GTRSv]

My guess for top 5 qualifiers:
1. Hamilton
2. Alonso
3. Webber
4. Button
5. Kubica

[LarryL]

How did practice finish up?

[stoliver54]

Sorry for the jumbled info, pulled it off F1.com


Pos No Driver Team Time/Retired Gap Laps
1 5 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:46.660 29
2 6 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:47.287 0.627 27
3 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:47.690 1.030 28
4 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:47.718 1.058 20
5 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:47.818 1.158 28
6 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:48.302 1.642 31
7 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:48.341 1.681 28
8 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 1:48.679 2.019 26
9 11 Robert Kubica Renault 1:48.855 2.195 15
10 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 1:48.889 2.229 31
11 10 Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:49.153 2.493 32
12 23 Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari 1:49.438 2.778 30
13 22 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber-Ferrari 1:49.558 2.898 26
14 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:49.608 2.948 27
23 21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:54.725 8.065 27
24 20 Christian Klien HRT-Cosworth 1:55.542 8.882 25

[Hugo]

HRT... LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8 seconds off the pace. What a joke this team is.

[Shak. G]

Seems like my paradox my well be ….. just a paradox after all since both bulls are on top. I know it’s only Friday practice but it provides a general insight into the composition of the grid allocation come race day.

[M3Alpine99]

Seems like my paradox my well be ….. just a paradox after all since both bulls are on top. I know it’s only Friday practice but it provides a general insight into the composition of the grid allocation come race day.

On paper track should be good for them. I foresee them doing quite well here. And I hope they do.

As said though it is practice. Schumi almost was P1 in P1... and he didn't fare as well in P2.

[stoliver54]

I thought Schumi was beat by Webber right at the end of P1?
edit:
Webber was faster than Schumi by .119 and Sutil was third fastest in P1. But the track was wet from afternoon rains, which dried out during the second practice session. The top time in P1 was about 8 seconds slower than Vettel in P2.

[bigrojo37]

Weber was P1 after P1. Schumi crawled into a ball and died.

[M3Alpine99]

That is what I said. He was ALMOST P1 in P1

[Hugo]

Weber was P1 after P1. Schumi crawled into a ball and died.

I LOLed.

[GTRSv]

damn kobayshi qualified 10th?!?!? i love it

[prash]

If they havent been caught, they havent been cheating.

you sould like a man who's never tried to cheat.

Go Mclaren Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alonso is clearly the best driver around this track. Hamilton needs to finish top 3 at worst. Hopefully he can get the jump on Vettel at the start.

[Shak. G]

Guys i don't think that i have to eat my words just yet. The bulls should have locked out the front row easily on a track like this. Where are they? 2 and 5. Anyway the commentators also breifly popped the question about the effects if any at all, on the performance of the bulls after the revised tests. Red bull has brought some additional upgrades to singapore so the answer is not that straightforward.

[paulmer]

Bah, Alonso on pole. Damnit.

Disappointed that Mark qualified 5th

I hope Mark and Seb can absolutely nail their starts tomorrow

[ghambino]

Guys i don't think that i have to eat my words just yet. The bulls should have locked out the front row easily on a track like this. Where are they? 2 and 5. Anyway the commentators also breifly popped the question about the effects if any at all, on the performance of the bulls after the revised tests. Red bull has brought some additional upgrades to singapore so the answer is not that straightforward.

I have to agree, RBR is not as dominant as before. Don't forget race pace also. We'll know midway through the race where RB really stands. Judging by what we have seen in the past, if the RBs get jumped on the start, they could drift further back. Then again, anything can happen at a tight track like this. Who knows who will crash out or get taken out. Here's to a strong showing from the McLaren squad!