Formula One Highlights: Singapore Grand Prix 2010 – Part 5
The race headed into its final 15 laps. Renault’s Robert Kubica entered the pits with some damage to his tyres. It was yet to be confirmed as to what exactly went down, but it was almost certain that the unscheduled stop greatly
compromised the Renault driver’s race. Elsewhere, Alonso responded to the Red Bull challenge, posting a fastest lap to his credit.
Rosberg and Barrichello had run a strong race as they were running in 5th and 6th respectively. With 3 safety car periods before even the 50 lap stage, it seemed that the race could reach the 2 hour limit.
Red Bull fans were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief as the stewards announced that no further action was to be taken in the Webber-Hamilton incident.
There was a long train of cars behind 7th placed Adrian Sutil, going all the way back to 12th placed Robert Kubica. The 12th positioned Renault, evidently on a fresh pair of tyres, was right on
the back of Buemi in front. The Toro Rosso had to defend hard against the superior Renault and was soaking up a lot of pressure. However, it wasn’t long when Kubica was finally able to find a way through – next on his list was his team mate Petrov!
At lap 53, Red Bull informed Webber via the team radio that Button looked set to push him till the end of the race after the McLaren Mercedes went almost a second faster on the previous lap.
At the front, Vettel was able to set the fastest lap while Alonso posted his personal fastest time. Meanwhile, Kubica looked the most improved driver has he was able to charge past not only his team mate but also the Ferrari of
Felipe Massa to claim 9th spot. A lap later, the Renault got past Hulkenberg and Adrian Sutil. The move on the Force India was one to admire as Kubica took the outside line on turn 7, the same corner as the Hamilton-Webber incident – it was a textbook
move, though something that the McLaren and Red Bull were expected to do on their run.
With the championship battle so close, it was hard to imagine any of the drivers risking a DNF (Did Not Finish). With 5 laps to go, Alonso still led the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel by 1.2 seconds. Button on the other hand didn’t
look in a position to challenge Mark Webber for third. Another lap went by and the gap at the front was under a second.
Alonso, plainly deciding to avoid a confrontation with Vettel, upped his tempo and posted the fastest lap for lap 59. The race had stretched long enough. It was becoming a matter of ‘how’ the race would end rather than ‘when’.
With 5 minutes remaining, there was a possibility of seeing the chequered flag before the end of the race.
The race entered the 60th lap mark; Kovalainen’s car was on fire on the start finish straight outside the pit lane – unfortunately for the Lotus, the reference was literal rather than figurative. The Finn took some time
getting out of his car and took a fire extinguisher from the pit lane and extinguished the fire himself. Lotus’ race retirement woes have become a chapter of many Grands Prix this season. However, having to leave the race that early was extremely disappointing
for team and driver.
The final lap then got underway. Despite it being a 62 lap race, the time strain limited the Grand Prix to a 61 lap feature. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was able to cross the finish line in first position, followed by Vettel. Mark
Webber got the final step on the podium.
As the Ferrari driver looked clearly ecstatic at recording back to back race victories, the weekend proved to be a strong outing for both Red Bulls. While the driver’s standings were heading for a dramatic ending, the constructor’s
standings saw Red Bull build a sizeable gap over its McLaren and Ferrari counterparts.
That concludes the highlights package of the Singapore Grand Prix, do join us again for the race in Japan on the 10th of October.
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