878 replies to this topic

[Marklar]

Welcome to the 2013 2015 Singapore GP race thread. No, you are not in the wrong thread, even if the guy below would like so....



Sebastian Vettel stopped with his 46th career pole - his first since 2013, his first for Ferrari and the first for Ferrari since 2012 - the for 23 races ongoing qualifying dominance of the Mercedes team, just one race before they would have equalize the record of the Williams team from the 90s and also one race before Hamilton would have equalize the drivers record hold by Senna. And how he did it: he was lapping the Marina Bay Circuit around 1.5 seconds faster than the Mercedes drivers. But not just Vettel easily beat the silver arrows, also his team mate and both Red Bull drivers were comfartable ahead - nevertheless Vettel was stil a class of his own. Judging from the friday long run performance we could see an exciting battle between these two teams for the victory. Behind the Mercedes an pretty open and hard battle for the points between every team bar Manor is expected. At the Manor team Alexander Rossi will give his GP debut.

It is the longest and one of the most toughest race on the race calender, until now the Safety Car has appeared every year in the race and caused some excitement and even some controversity. In the following everything you need to know about this years Singapore GP...

Starting Grid

• Vettel
• Ricciardo
• Raikkonen
• Kvyat
• Hamilton
• Rosberg
• Bottas
• Verstappen
• Massa
• Grosjean
• Hulkenberg
• Alonso
• Perez
• Sainz
• Button
• Nasr
• Ericsson
• Maldonado
• Stevens
• Rossi

Circuit


Race facts
Track length: 5.065 km
Laps: 61 counter-clockwise
Total distance: 308.828 km
Corners: 23
Distance pole to turn 1: 200 m
Longest straight: 700 m (before turn 7)
Tyre wear: medium
Fuel consumption: high
Brake load: high
Downforce: high
Overtaking: low
Safety car probability: 100 %
Pit stop time: 24 seconds
Full throotle: 42 %
Braking: 21 %
Braking zones: 16
Pole conversation: 71.43 %
Wins from: 1st (5), 3rd (1), 15th (1)
Winner: Vettel (3), Alonso (2), Hamilton (2)
Winner current constructors: Red Bull (3), McLaren (1), Ferrari (1), Mercedes (1)
Winner engines: Renault (4), Mercedes (2), Ferrari (1)

Pirelli
- Tyres: super soft/soft
- Tyre pressures: 18 PSI front/17 PSI rear
- Strategy Predictor: Supersoft - Supersoft (16) - Supersoft (31) - Soft (46) alternative Supersoft - Supersoft (24) - Soft (43)

Weather forecast (Ubimet): No big changes in the weather pattern are expected for the race day. With the haze layer temporarily leaving the area and some broader sunny spells rolling over the city, much brighter periods will be possible. Again, there will be a slight risk for a shower or two during the early afternoon, but these should be confined to the northern and western parts of Singapore. In general there is a good chance that the evening hours will stay dry. Temperature will remain steady with a light easterly wind.

Track limits: Any driver who fails to negotiate turn 2 by using the track, and who passes completely to the right of the orange kerb element, must keep to the right of the red and white polystyrene block and re-join the track on the outside of turn 3.

Sector times top 10
S1: VET 27.665 - RAI 27.814 - MAS 27.875 - HAM 27.883 - KVY 27.925 - ROS 27.941 - GRO 27.979 - BOT 28.037 - RIC 28.076 - PER 28.154
S2: VET 39.945 - RIC 40.108 - RAI 40.148 - KVY 40.203 - HAM 40.319 - VES 40.476 - BOT 40.583 - ROS 40.590 - MAS 40.639 - GRO 40.692
S3: RIC 36.185 - VET 36.275 - KVY 36.412 - RAI 36.615 - ROS 36.738 - HAM 36.810 - VES 36.821 - BOT 36.869 - GRO 36.966 - SAI 36.979

Longruns (at least 4 laps)

SUPER SOFT
Vettel 51.357 (12 laps)
Ricciardo 51.415 (16 laps)
Kvyat 51.528 (4 laps)
Hamilton 51.802 (11 laps)
Hulkenberg 52.039 (6 laps)
Sainz 52.550 (8 laps)
Perez 52.618 (9 laps)
Verstappen 52.619 (4 laps)
Rosberg 52.916 (13 laps)
Nasr 53.039 (8 laps)
Alonso 53.366 (8 laps)
Nasr 53.628 (7 laps)
Massa 53.671 (14 laps)
Button 54.006 (13 laps)
Maldonado 54,104 (6 laps)
Ericsson 54.529 (9 laps)
Grosjean 54.582 (14 laps)

SOFT
Kvyat 52.039 (6 laps)
Hamilton 52.082 (4 laps)
Raikkonen 52.357 (12 laps)
Hulkenberg 52.750 (11 laps)
Bottas 52.763 (11 laps)
Verstappen 53.983 (8 laps)

Schedule (Local and GMT)
CR International Series 16:30 - 17:00 [9:30-10:00]
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 17:25 - 18:00 [10:25-11:00]
Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 18:05 - 19:15 [11:05-12:15]
Drivers Track Parade 18:30 [11:30]
Starting Grid Presentation 18:45 - 19:15 [11:45-12:15]
National Anthem 19:46 [12:46]
Race (61 Laps or 120 Mins) 20:00 [13:00]

Live timing
http://www.formula1....tml#leaderboard

New (old) Live chat (for the people who are wondering what happend with the real one)
https://kiwiirc.com/...rt.com/atlasf1/

Edited by Marklar, 19 September 2015 - 22:24.

[Jordan44]

Can't remember the last time I was so excited for a race. It's nice to have a shakeup of the grid here and there.

As usual great stuff Marklar.

[Myrvold]

Am I the only one that doesn't expect the race to be that exciting? Vettel will pull away, and win this fairly easy. And the fight will be for 2nd or 3rd, and the only change we have is that there is a red car that is untouchable at the front, instead of a silver car.

[JHSingo]

Looking forward to it. Hoping for a good battle between the Ferraris and Red Bulls.

 

Don't really mind who wins out of the top four. Fear for the Red Bulls that the Renault engine will revert to its normal state (broken) in the race though. Predicting a Ferrari 1-2 with Hamilton probably rounding out the podium if he gets lucky with attrition, and if the Merc is a bit faster in the race.

 

Should be good.

Edited by JHSingo, 19 September 2015 - 22:36.

[Jordan44]

Am I the only one that doesn't expect the race to be that exciting? Vettel will pull away, and win this fairly easy. And the fight will be for 2nd or 3rd, and the only change we have is that there is a red car that is untouchable at the front, instead of a silver car.

The FP2 long-runs suggested Ferrari and Red Bull are evenly matched, but clean air is usually the key, so who knows.

[Kalmake]

Singapore is high fuel consumption. Maybe Mercs can bounce back with better efficiency. A (V)SC is likely though.

[Seanspeed]

Am I the only one that doesn't expect the race to be that exciting? Vettel will pull away, and win this fairly easy. And the fight will be for 2nd or 3rd, and the only change we have is that there is a red car that is untouchable at the front, instead of a silver car.

Fingers crossed.

[TomNokoe]

It'll be 2 hours of wondering how Mercedes are so slow, while Vettel walks it without breaking sweat, with Kimi off the podium. Alonso in 10th.

[BlinkyMcSquinty]

My hope is that Ricciardo gets the jump on Vettel and we get to see a proper race, two drivers in different cars waging war for the win.

 

It would be a hoot if Verstappen and Bottas got the drop on the two Mercedes in front, and lead them after lap one.

[Atreiu]

I hope Mercedes at least takes risks with strategy instead of following a procession to 3rd and 4th.

[FrontWing]

I'm expecting an incident at the start of the race, some one in the top six is going to be slow off the line, or go wide at the first corner like Alonso last year. Perhaps Ricciardo's poor starts will come back to haunt him, or maybe Kimi will fall asleep again? Hopefully Hamilton learnt his lesson in Hungary, and isn't so punchy at the start, as he only needs to keep Nico close to maintain a healthy championship lead.

 

If Vettel gets a clean start, he will walk away with the race, as he really is at one with the car and circuit this weekend. He had an amazing pole lap that Rosberg described with the words, "what the hell?!".

 

I'm very excited for the race.

Edited by FrontWing, 20 September 2015 - 00:53.

[turssi]

Looking forward to see what Kimi 'manual start' Räikkönen will do when the lights turn off!

[charly0418]

Anyone know the weather forecast?

[FrontWing]

Looking forward to see what Kimi 'manual start' Räikkönen will do when the lights turn off!

Stalls and Hamilton drives straight into the back of him.

[Marklar]

Anyone know the weather forecast?

Race will be almost certain dry, showers are possible before the race though. Hazel is gonna be less.

[RubalSher]

Lewis

[RubalSher]

I hope Mercedes at least takes risks with strategy instead of following a procession to 3rd and 4th.

 

They dont need to. Nico maybe does but am pretty sure all Hamilton cares about is keeping Nico behind.

[MinT]

Vettel off teh front and gone.

 

Hami to have a smashing time trying to get further up the order........

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

Ok, Another episode of my clueless predictions.

 

This time once again non Ferrari and non Mercedes winner. The winner will be one of the RedBulls. By the way, Fernando Alonso on the podium. You heard it first from me.

 

 

 

The other facts:

 

- Two safety cars

- Slight rain in turn 5

- Sebastian Vettel DNF

- Mercedes have much better race pace

- Smokey Renault power unit from one of the Toro Rossos

Edited by RYARLE, 20 September 2015 - 07:18.

[Hellenic tifosi]

Does anyone know if Ferrari is using the Monza spec PU, or has reverted to an old one?

[Radion]

Ricc's top speed is so bad. If Rai gets a good start off the line he'll get Ricc at the end of sector one.
Ferrari 1-2.

LewLew on the podium.

[SophieB]

@tgruener: Sainz gearbox ok after little shunt yesterday. No penalty. Team boss Tost optimistic for race. Convinced Verstappen can challenge Williams.

[Jimisgod]

Ricc's top speed is so bad. If Rai gets a good start off the line he'll get Ricc at the end of sector one.
Ferrari 1-2.

LewLew on the podium.

 

Big if.

 

Kimi will find some way to finish off the podium, the only exception being if Vettel DNFs.

[redraven9]

I hope RB's superior strategies will come into play this race.

[Seanspeed]

Big if.
 
Kimi will find some way to finish off the podium, the only exception being if Vettel DNFs.

Kimi's done quite well off the line overall.

[Jimisgod]

Kimi's done quite well off the line overall.

 

Except nothing but the last two races bears any relevance with the new rules.

[redraven9]

Bah, the Mercs are either too fast, or too slow to provide any entertainment. Only way I can see Vettel being challenged to the win is if he is making a bad start and is overtaken by both RB's. 

[Briz]

Stalls and Hamilton drives straight into the back of him.

You probably don't mean any malice, but this type of accident at the start is not something to joke or laugh about

[YoungGun]

Does anyone know if Ferrari is using the Monza spec PU, or has reverted to an old one?

 

Monza Spec.

[RubalSher]

The race result will mostly be dependent on undercuts, SCs and DNFs. Race pace at this track is highly overrated given that it is nearly impossible to pass another car unless you are at least 3 seconds faster, which will happen when tyres start to go off as opposed to race pace. Those on 2 stops last year barely made it to the finish and some drivers like Bottas fell off the cliff at the expense of Perez and JEV who had a late 3rd stop and blitzed the field in the final few laps and were as much as 5 seconds quicker over one lap compared to the 2 stoppers.

[Seanspeed]

Except nothing but the last two races bears any relevance with the new rules.

Things aren't that different. Nor was Kimi's issue in Monza related to the inability to set a bite point later on.

The race result will mostly be dependent on undercuts, SCs and DNFs. Race pace at this track is highly overrated given that it is nearly impossible to pass another car unless you are at least 3 seconds faster, which will happen when tyres start to go off as opposed to race pace. Those on 2 stops last year barely made it to the finish and some drivers like Bottas fell off the cliff at the expense of Perez and JEV who had a late 3rd stop and blitzed the field in the final few laps and were as much as 5 seconds quicker over one lap compared to the 2 stoppers.

The run down to Turn 7 is a legitimate passing zone.

Edited by Seanspeed, 20 September 2015 - 09:45.

[jonpollak]

New (old) Live chat (for the people who are wondering what happend with the real one)
https://kiwiirc.com/...rt.com/atlasf1/

 

Yeah..What happened?

This place is a pretty good replacement though in its randomness.

Late last night we had an Asian hooker, Jenna Fryer,a sports car driver, and some idiot cursing at everyone

Jp

[RubalSher]

The run down to Turn 7 is a legitimate passing zone.

 

Very hard to make it stick unless the difference in pace (mostly down to tyres) is closer to 2-3 seconds.

[Requiem84]

It depends on the relative strength per sector.

 

Vettel was doing 27.6 in sector 1, while the TR's were doing 28,3 in S1. In combination with a top speed advantage +DRS, any Ferrari could make a pass into T7 on the TR's....

[RubalSher]

It depends on the relative strength per sector.

 

Vettel was doing 27.6 in sector 1, while the TR's were doing 28,3 in S1. In combination with a top speed advantage +DRS, any Ferrari could make a pass into T7 on the TR's....

 

Why would they need to pass any TR??

[Seanspeed]

Very hard to make it stick unless the difference in pace (mostly down to tyres) is closer to 2-3 seconds.

I don't think so. Even before DRS was introduced, there was decent passing opportunities here. So long as you're not drastically down on power to the person you're trying to pass, it shouldn't be impossible to create an opportunity.
 

Why would they need to pass any TR??

Different strategy. Safety car mix-up, maybe. Not really the point he was making, anyways.

Edited by Seanspeed, 20 September 2015 - 10:03.

[RubalSher]

I don't think so. Even before DRS was introduced, there was decent passing opportunities here. So long as you're not drastically down on power to the person you're trying to pass, it shouldn't be impossible to create an opportunity.
 
Different strategy. Safety car mix-up, maybe.

 

This is the track where you can have a Trulli train. Last year the RBRs could easily keep the much faster Alonso behind them on fresher rubber for almost 25 laps.

 

There was pretty much one pass I remember all of last year into T7 when HAM passed VET and he did have the 2-3 seconds on Vettel and Vettel had to make his tyres last for another 15 laps and knew there was no point resisting.

[Seanspeed]

This is the track where you can have a Trulli train. Last year the RBRs could easily keep the much faster Alonso behind them on fresher rubber for almost 25 laps.
 
There was pretty much one pass I remember all of last year into T7 when HAM passed VET and he did have the 2-3 seconds on Vettel and Vettel had to make his tyres last for another 15 laps and knew there was no point resisting.

Alonso was faster overall, but the car had notoriously poor traction out of corners(a problem Red Bull didn't have) which made passing difficult all year long for Ferrari.

You're picking out one race, while we've had plenty of overtaking here in the past.

[YoungGun]

This is the track where you can have a Trulli train. Last year the RBRs could easily keep the much faster Alonso behind them on fresher rubber for almost 25 laps.

 

There was pretty much one pass I remember all of last year into T7 when HAM passed VET and he did have the 2-3 seconds on Vettel and Vettel had to make his tyres last for another 15 laps and knew there was no point resisting.

 

Seem to recall Perez making a number of overtakes last year.

[RubalSher]

Seem to recall Perez making a number of overtakes last year.

 

I myself mentioned he and JEV did in the last few laps coz they changed late to a 3 stopper and were more than 5 seconds a lap quicker than those ahead on 2 stops and blitzed them all, but none in T7, and all over the track.

[RubalSher]

Alonso was faster overall, but the car had notoriously poor traction out of corners(a problem Red Bull didn't have) which made passing difficult all year long for Ferrari.

You're picking out one race, while we've had plenty of overtaking here in the past.

 

The only passing you see ever in Singapore is mid race onwards when cars are on differing tyre age and one is way faster than the other. Nearly impossible for the RBRs, Mercs and Ferraris to switch places on track assuming they will pretty much run the same strategy around the same time.

[Melchiot]

Vettel and pinkham are always flirty with each other

[redraven9]

The best race of 2015 is about to start guys! I called it.

[TheUltimateWorrier]

Vettel making a captain hindsight reference... Must be a fan of South Park. Forget the VW rumours, this is the scoop of this weekend !

[topical]

Hoping Alonso will pick up a few points to soften the pain of seeing his replacement at Ferrari chalk up another comfortable victory. Though sooner a Vettel victory than have Hamilton take the win and compelte his self-image as the reincarnation of Ayrton Senna.

[Marklar]

The best race of 2015 is about to start guys! I called it.

You jinx it....

[Jordan44]

Hoping Alonso will pick up a few points to soften the pain of seeing his replacement at Ferrari chalk up another comfortable victory. Though sooner a Vettel victory than have Hamilton take the win and compelte his self-image as the reincarnation of Ayrton Senna.

The reincarnation of Senna image is only painted by the media because Lewis said he wanted to emulate Senna's success of 3 championships. Nothing more. It's vastly over exaggerated.

Edited by J0rd4n, 20 September 2015 - 11:14.

[TomNokoe]

The best race of 2015 is about to start guys! I called it.

If Mercedes find a second or so, maybe.

[STRFerrari4Ever]

Top 4 gonna scamper away, Mercs by themselves, Bottas, Verstappen, Grosjean and Massa together and then very close behind them.

[P123]

The reincarnation of Senna image is only painted by the media because Lewis said he wanted to emulate Senna's success of 3 championships. Nothing more. It's vastly over exaggerated.

It's a talking point because the media asked the question, not because Hamilton brought it up. He wasn't even aware, and as he's said himself, Senna would have achieved so much more, so not fair to compare stats. Of course, plugging in ones brain doesn't always assist when having a pop at Hamilton. Far better to be petty instead and let the hate out.