Fernando Alonso takes Pole in Singapore Grand Prix 2010
Ferrari ace Fernando Alonso has added two successive race wins to his drivers’ account as he blazed through the night with the Red of Ferrari.
It was ultimately a lengthy Singapore Grand Prix with a lot of racing incidents and safety car periods – something that was expected under patchy weather and night conditions. Alonso led the race from start to finish, claiming two successive wins and cementing
his place in the driver’s standings. Who said it was a two horse race?
Alonso has now won three of the last five races and Ferrari finally appears to be matching Red Bull for pace. However, it would have been an added bonus had Felipe Massa joined the party upfront. The Brazilian claimed the last point scoring spot after starting
the race at the back of the grid.
Vettel finished a comfortable second - yes, the ‘crash kid’ drove maturely around the Marina Bay racing circuit. His teammate Mark Webber should be more than content, even ecstatic to get the final podium position after not only starting the race behind his
title rivals but also having to pit on lap 5 of the race. The Red Bull camp should be applauded as it turned out to be a great strategic call as he bypassed the McLarens when they pitted.
It was yet another disastrous race for Hamilton who retired after a racing incident with Webber on turn 7. All in all, it just isn’t going right for the youngest F1 champion. Moreover, the McLaren seemed to be behind Red Bull and Ferrari in terms of race pace,
which should be worrying for the aspiring constructor’s title contenders.
Button finished a solid 4th after the race. Rosberg drove a strong and competitive race to finish 5th for Mercedes, outperforming teammate Michael Schumacher once again. Schumi’s former Ferrari teammate Barrichello finished at 6th.
Kubica pulled off at least five overtaking manoeuvres to take a well deserved 7th place. The punctured tyre during the second half of the race failed to demoralise the Renault driver who responded by driving even more aggressively after taking on
a second set of tyres. The top 10 was completed by Sutil, Hulkenberg and Massa.
The championship is arguably even closer than it was before the Singapore GP. Whoever thought Formula One was a boring, predictable sport should take a look at the driver’s standings after the Singapore chapter. One race win still separates the top 5 drivers.
Webber still leads with 202 points, Alonso has jumped to 2nd with 191 points, Hamilton has shifted to the 3rd on 182 points, Vettel is standing on the 4th spot on 181 while Button makes the cut on 5th with 177.
With things sizzling up, the stakes are much higher as the formula one race calendar strikes Japan in two weeks time.
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