2012 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix Preview

After the Italian Grand Prix brought the 2012 European season to a fine conclusion, Formula 1 now heads back to the far east for a string of Asian races beginning with the superlative night-race around the streets of Singapore. Held on the tricky Marina Bay street circuit, the Singapore Grand Prix has quickly become one of the jewels of F1.

First held in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix became the first night-race in the history of Formula 1, and remains the only true night-race on the calendar. Due to the tight and twisty confines of the Marina Bay street circuit, which features notable locations such as the Anderson Bridge, Raffles Avenue and the Esplanade, the Singapore Grand Prix has become renowned for high amounts of safety car periods throughout the 61-lap race. The safety car has made at least one appearance each year since the inaugural event in 2008, and is likely to reappear once again this weekend as racing recommences.

After a tremendously exhilarating Italian Grand Prix last time out around the legendary and historic Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, the World Championship has remained wide open as the season enters its closing stages. Although both Championship contenders Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were able to finish on the podium, reigning Champions Red Bull failed to finish the race after a disastrous 53 laps. Once again Kimi Raikkonen enjoyed a competitive race finishing 5th for Lotus, closing the gap to Lewis Hamilton in 2nd down to only one point.

Fernando Alonso won the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix under controversial circumstances.

Current Championship leader Fernando Alonso holds the record for the most amount of victories at the Singapore Grand Prix, with two since the inaugural race weekend several years ago [’08 and ‘10]. However, the Spaniard’s first win back in 2008 for Renault was done so in highly controversial circumstances, with team-mate Nelson Piquet jr. following team orders and deliberately crashing to allow Alonso to benefit from the ensuing safety car period. Although Fernando Alonso has won the race twice, no one team has taken victory around the Marina Bay street circuit twice, with Renault [’08], McLaren [’09], Ferrari [’10] and Red Bull [’11] all taking only the one victory so far.

As ever, there is a threat of rain looming ominously over the track throughout the weekend. Some weather forecasters have predicted no rain all weekend, whereas others have predicted that rain could well intervene throughout proceedings. Rain has yet to be a major factor during a Singapore Grand Prix, and would create a whole new experience for drivers racing in inclement conditions under the glaring street lights which line the circuit.

The drivers steward for the Singapore Grand Prix will be former-F1 driver Allan McNish, who will be reprising the role previously held by Emanuele Pirro at the Italian Grand Prix. Allan McNish’s motor sport career began in open-wheel racing, eventually making it to Formula 1 with Toyota in 2002. After that, the Scot entered sportscar racing and has since enjoyed a highly competitive career taking numerous endurance victories at Le Mans and Sebring.

Allan McNish will be the drivers steward this weekend at Singapore.

This weekend’s DRS zone remains unchanged from last season, and will offer drivers a tremendous overtaking opportunity into turn 7. The detection zone for the device will be situated at turn 4, with the activation zone just after turn 5 to allow the drivers to utilize the overtaking assist through the straight which leads to the tight left-hander at turn 7.

Singapore is unarguably one of the best nations to host a night-race, with the 61-lap race always a marvelous spectacle under the floodlights. Due to the tight and twisty nature of the Marina Bay street circuit, the Singapore Grand Prix has always been one of the toughest on the calendar. With four different teams having won each race since the inaugural race in 2008, could a fifth team continue the competitiveness of the Marina Bay street circuit this weekend? With Mercedes set to continue experimenting with the Coanda-effect exhaust layout, and Lotus set to introduce a new rear-wing this weekend, a surprise winner is most certainly on the cards at one of the most awe-inspiring races on the calendar.

Picture(s) Copyright © Pirelli & Getty Images

IndyCar’s Baltimore Grand Prix Layout Altered

It been confirmed that the layout of the Baltimore Grand Prix has been altered, as construction work begins in preparation for the race later this season. Three changes will be made to the street circuit in total, with the intention of encouraging more overtaking throughout the race.

The chicane on the Pratt Street main straightaway will be removed, the right-hander at turn 1 will be widened and turns 5-6 [which also incorporates the pit entrance] will be changed. IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden, who was the runner-up at the Indy Lights event last season, has stated that the changes will greatly improve overtaking.

“I talked to a number of drivers to get their thoughts about the chicane and the recommendation was with some grinding [to the street surface] it would speed the cars up going into Turn 1 about 7 mph,” explained Tony Cotman, of NZR Consulting which is contracted to build the circuit. “Without the chicane I think it will improve the show with a longer run into Turn 1, which will be widened to create a better passing zone and will be a good viewing place.

“Then we looked at Turns 5-6, which was a difficult combination last year, and we’ll change the shape of the corner, which may entice some passing.” Continued Tony Cotman, “There is terrace seating there that puts the track right under their noses. There are some other subtle changes like the shapes of walls.”

Last season’s inaugural event around the streets of Baltimore was met with universal praise from both drivers and fans alike, however during the winter period financial problems threatened the continuation of the event. However, Michael Andretti’s Andretti Sports Marketing company was installed as the promoter of the event two months ago, in similar fashion to the Milwaukee Mile.

Will Power took victory at the inaugural event last season, and will be looking to assert further on track authority once the event begins towards the end of August. Ryan Hunter-Reay is currently leading the Drivers’ Championship, with a 23 point lead over Helio Castroneves.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Twenty Is Plenty For Sebastian Vettel

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel believes 20 races on the Formula 1 calendar is enough, and that the logistics within the paddock as well as the many different nations which have a race would make it impractical to have more than 20 races. With races in Russia and America planned in 2013/4, well known venues may have to be ditched to make way for these newer races.

During the inaugural Formula 1 season back in 1950, only 7 races were on the calendar. Of these 7, Britain, Monaco, Belgium and Italy continue to host races in 2012 and are unquestionably highly regarded for their history and heritage. However, over decades these races have come under threat from newer nations such as Malaysia, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. 

With many eager to keep the ‘heritage’ venues afloat on the F1 calendar, such as the four previously mentioned along with the likes of Japan, Canada, Australia and Germany, it seems unlikely that the calendar will remain at 20 races. With members of the F1 circus only getting roughly six to eight weeks of peace throughout the winter months, more races could see the season beginning in February and even ending in December.

When asked whether 20 races is the limit for Formula 1 in a season, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel agreed that twenty is plenty: “Well, I think 20 is good number but it’s a big number as well. Not just for us, the drivers, [but] I think for the whole paddock to move around. It’s not that easy. I think you need to be aware of that. We have races spread out around the globe. So I think we just get away with 20 races.”

One solution to the ever-growing Formula 1 calendar is to have some races alternate with each other, such as Barcelona (hosts of the Spanish Grand Prix) and Valencia (hosts of the European Grand Prix). This option has previously worked with the German Grand Prix, whereby Hockenheim and the Nürburgring have alternated as hosts since 2007. The same solution was set to be put into place for the French and Belgian Grands Prix, however with France looking increasingly unlikely to be hosting a Grand Prix in the foreseeable future, it looks like Spa may well have to find another nation to alternate with to remain safely on the calendar.

  Either way, the debate over the Formula 1 calendar throughout the next couple of seasons is going to be an intriguing spectacle as more and more nations wish to host the fastest sport in the world. With Argentina and Thailand allegedly interested in joining the calendar, keeping the season only 20 races long looks set to be a difficult task to achieve.

Politics Threaten Russian Grand Prix

Only two years away from what should be the inaugural Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, politics could well cause serious delays in preparation. The race track, which will be situated in near the Olympic Park in Sochi, has had very little construction work completed on it recently. 

However, Igor Yermilin is confident the race will go ahead as scheduled, regardless of the governmental reshuffle that has recently taken place within Sochi’s region of Krasnodar. Omega, the company which is responsible for holding the inaugural race, has lost representatives due to this reshuffle, a fact which could cause serious delays to the construction of the circuit and in turn the race itself.

“In the Krasnodar region there has been quite serious changes in the leadership,” Explained Igor Yermilin, an adviser to the Russian Automobile Federation, in an interview with RIA Novosti. “Regional governor Alexander Tkachev has been re-appointed, but the entire rest of the team has changed, including people from Omega who signed the contract on holding the Russian Grand Prix.”

The Russian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place only months after the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which will take place within Sochi. With this the case, plans for the construction on the circuit allegedly isn’t high on the agenda at this current time. Rumor has it that the track surface will not be laid until after the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, with the track being built around the Olympic park.

“The main thing at the moment is the Olympics, the Grand Prix is on the back burner.” Continued Igor Yermilin, “Although there may be serious delays in meeting preparation deadlines, I have no doubts that this event will be held successfully. Our country has never failed in delivering such big international events, nor has it neglected its obligations.”

Not only is the inaugural Russian Grand Prix potentially in trouble, the return of the French Grand Prix is now also looking unlikely. Once again, politics is the reason for this uncertainty, with France’s newly elected President, Francois Hollande, seemingly unimpressed with the idea of government funding for the race.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images for Red Bull

Romain Grosjean Becomes 200th Different Driver On The Podium

Romain Grosjean made Formula 1 history in Bahrain, becoming the 200th different driver to step onto the podium since the sports inaugural season in 1950. With Grosjean joining his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel on the podium, it was all change once again on the top step of the F1 rostrum.

For Grosjean, it was his first step on an F1 podium in only his 11th start. The Frenchman began his career in 2009 with Renault, however he was replaced by Vitaly Petrov for the 2010 season. Grosjean then returned to the GP2 Series and in 2011 won both the GP2 and GP2 Asia Series’.

In 2012, Grosjean has returned to the top tier of motorsport along with his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, and the two have already shown high amounts of competitiveness in only the first four races of the season. Although Grosjean failed to complete more than seven laps in the first two races due to two DNF’s, he seems to have made up for his errors with two points finishes in China and Bahrain.

The last Frenchman to step onto the podium was 14 years ago, when Jean Alesi did so in unforgettable circumstances at the crazy 1998 Belgian Grand Prix for Sauber. The French veteran was joined by the Jordan duo of Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher, who had memorably achieved Jordan’s first F1 victory with a 1-2 finish in the rain at Spa.

Romain Grosjean has ended this drought for France and has returned the French flag to the podium once again, becoming the 21st Frenchman on the podium. He now joins the likes of Jean Alesi, Rene Arnoux, Alain Prost, Didier Pironi and Olivier Panis as French drivers’ who have reached the podium in their career. 

With Grosjean only several races into 2012, his aim now will naturally be to become the first French winner since 1996, when Olivier Panis won the Monaco Grand Prix for Ligier in a race which amazingly saw only three cars eventually cross the finish line at the end of the race, the least amount in F1 history.

Lotus showed promising pace in pre-season testing at both Jerez and Barcelona, with Raikkonen and Grosjean both setting the fastest times throughout the testing period. It now seems that Lotus are beginning to show that pace once again, when it all counts during the race on Sunday. Both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean know how to win races, and they will undoubtedly be striving to do so in 2012.

Picture Copyright © AFP 

Argentine Grand Prix Poised For Return In 2013

The return of a Grand Prix in Argentina is quickly gathering momentum which could see the South American nation replace Korea in 2013, a move which would see the first race in Argentina since 1998. The official confirmation could well come in May, however F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has yet to comment on such an agreement.

The Korean Grand Prix made its inaugural appearance on the Formula 1 calendar in 2010, and after negotiations regarding the race-sanctioning fees with Ecclestone, the race is scheduled to be dropped in 2013. With Argentina eager to bring Formula 1 back to the country, this has paved the way for a potential return next year.

  “The National Government accepts the challenge of organizing the Grand Prix of Argentina to promote the image of our country around the world.” Said Argentina’s minister for tourism, Enrique Meyer in an interview with Autosprint, “In May, the three-year contract will be signed between all parties involved.”

The last time Argentina hosted an F1 race was in 1998, at the Autodromo Oscar Alfredo Galvez circuit in Buenos Aires. The circuit was used in many different configurations throughout the history of the sport, with the first Argentine Grand Prix held in 1953 on the Buenos Aires configuration No. 4 circuit. 

However, if Argentina does return to the F1 calendar, Hermann Tilke will most likely be called upon to design a new track in the resort of Mar del Plata. 

Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic 

Karthikeyan Not Guaranteed A Whole Season With HRT

HRT have refused to shed light on whether their Indian driver, Narain Karthikeyan, will race in all 20 races with the Spanish outfit in 2012. With his seat at the team apparently worth millions in sponsorship money, could the struggling team repeat history and replace him mid-season once again?

Last season, Narain Karthikeyan was replaced during the half-way point of the season by Daniel Ricciardo, returning only once more in 2011 for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. With HRT re-signing the 35-year-old, the team are reluctant to guarantee that Karthikeyan will take part in the whole season, creating speculation that HRT could well repeat history and replace him mid-season.

With the team under serious pressure to produce results in 2012, their third season in the sport, it’s understandable that they will sign drivers’ with the biggest amount of sponsorship money available.

“The idea as of now is to race him [Karthikeyan] the whole season, but nothing is taken for granted in F1, you have to work for your place in every race,” said HRT Team Principal, Luis Perez-Sale to the Indo Asian News Service. “But as things stand, Karthikeyan and Pedro will race the entire season.”

With this in mind, Pedro De La Rosa’s seat could also come under pressure if he fails to produce results and his funds within the team dry up. It’s going to be a nerve-racking season for the two HRT drivers’.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 

India Set To Build Second Grand Prix Circuit

India looks set to have another Formula 1 circuit constructed, with the main aim to have another Indian Grand Prix on the F1 calendar. This comes after last years inaugural Indian Grand Prix proved to be a big success, even though the Greater Noida track wasn’t fully completed before the race itself.

This second proposed location would be on the coast in the state of Goa, where the Arabian Sea meets the coastline. With this idealistic location in mind, Goa’s Tourism Director, Swapnik Naik has already likened the venue to be reminiscent of Monte-Carlo, where the Monaco Grand Prix has been held since 1929. The proposed circuit is also expected to be a huge boost for tourism in the state, with the Government having moved ahead with the project and finding a suitable area for the building of the new venue to take place.

“We are looking first at our own properties which were acquired by the state government for tourism purposes. We have quite a few by the coast. So, it could be anyone of them.”  Said Swapnik Naik, Goa’s Tourism Director.

With Formula 1 venues in Europe become something of the past, more races in countries such as India could well be the story of things to come. However, with Ferrari hinting at their distaste of this new direction of the sport, it will be interesting to see how many teams stick with the sport as it leaves its European heritage behind and heads to the Middle and Far East.

Sutil’s Manager Denies Links To Ferrari

The manager of ex-Force India driver Adrian Sutil has denied that there are links between the German driver and Ferrari, with reports suggesting he could replace Felipe Massa in 2013. He becomes the newest addition to an ever growing list of potential replacements for Massa, who has suffered the worst season of a Ferrari driver in 19 years.

Adrian Sutil was replaced at Force India by Nico Hulkenberg for next season after racing for the team since its inaugural season in 2008, and has since only ever scored points for the team, although he has never achieved a podium position, unlike his previous team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella.

With Sutil hunting for a drive for 2012, it was believed he would join Williams alongside Pastor Maldonado with Ferrari hoping to sign him in 2013 alongside Fernando Alonso. It is common knowledge Ferrari are searching for a replacement for Massa, who has never reached the heights he achieved in 2008 when he was beaten to the title by Lewis Hamilton at the final race of the season at Brazil.

However with many other drivers also in the hunt for that second Williams seat, Adrian Sutil has also been linked with a role as the Ferrari test driver for 2012, with the same outcome of eventually becoming a replacement Felipe Massa in 2013.

With Felipe Massa’s seat at Ferrari receiving interest from others such as Sergio Perez of Sauber, current Ferrari test driver Jules Bianchi and the still injured Robert Kubica, it is easy to say that it will be hard to see Massa as a Ferrari driver in 2013. Whether Adrian Sutil can be added to that long list, time will tell but currently his manager is convinced that a move to Ferrari is currently not an option.

“We are definitely not in talks with Ferrari — they are definitely not an option,” Adrian Sutil’s manager, Manfred Zimmermann, has reportedly said to Sky, “Surely, of course, it is the dream of every driver and manager. There are still options to stay in Formula One and we are negotiating currently, at the moment we can’t say anything more.”

Williams and HRT are the only teams remaining on the 2012 grid with a seat each still vacant, however with the season Williams had in 2011, both those options could seem a step down for Sutil.

Thank You And Merry Christmas

Today, I’d like to step away from my usual comfort zone of Formula 1 and wish everyone who has read my blog over the last few months a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And I look forward to sharing a new and exciting season of MotorSport with you that will include bigger and better features throughout 2012 and beyond. 

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the Christmas period, because before we know it we’ll be getting up at 5am in the morning for the inaugural F1 race of the 2012 season from Australia!