Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Part 2)

Excerpts 1:
Source: The Straits Times Sep 30, 2008

SINGAPOREANS can be very proud. The past weekend, they hosted the biggest sporting event in the Republic's history and delivered a stunning global spectacle.

In fact, there were three winners of the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix; Fernando Alonso, Formula One and Singapore itself.

The Marina Bay street circuit and its unique night-time illumination were amazing.
The sight of the cars running under the perfect lighting, with the spectacular backdrop of the city, was a three-night TV commercial for Singapore, delivering an unprecedented level of media coverage around the world.

One of the main aims of the Singapore GP was to put the Republic on the global destinations map. It worked like a dream. The global TV audience alone is estimated at over 500 million.

market2garden: Next year the night scene would be better as the authorities relax the night lightning rule of the building, and most owner of the commercial building along the circuit are willing to commit for next year.

Excerpts 2:
Source: Formula1Blog.com Sep 28, 2008

1. Alonso Renault (B) 1h57:16.304
2. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 2.957
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 5.917
4. Glock Toyota (B) + 8.155
5. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 10.268
6. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 11.101
7. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) + 16.387
8. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 18.489
9. Button Honda (B) + 19.885
10. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 26.902
11. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 27.975
12. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 29.432
13. Massa Ferrari (B) + 35.170
14. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) + 43.571
15. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 4 laps

market2garden: Congratulations to Aloso to win the first-ever night race in F1 history by means of skills, strategy, teamwork and a bit of luck. And to the whole lot (20 racers) that the race after all drastic and eventful, even so, all never lost lives.

Excerpts 3:
Source: Formula1Blog.com Sep 28, 2008 (Mon)

After Robert Kubica and Nico Rosberg endured penalties at the Grand Prix of Singapore there have been further calls for a change to the current Safety Car Rule that closes the pits and penalizes anyone for taking on fuel during the SC period until the pit lane is officially opened.This was to prevent cars racing back to the pits and potential being dangerous. This has also left many outraged at the penalties incurred by drivers who have no choice but to pit for fuel as they are running on fumes. It seems a solution is in the works however.

market2garden: Fine-tuning of safety car rules needed. But don’t have to overreact that the rule gave Alonso the advantage to be the winner. After all, winning a race must factor in all possibilities, plus a bit of luck.

Excerpts 4:
Source: F1Complete Web Oct 05, 2008 (Mon)

Oct.5 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone, the chief mastermind of the night racing concept for F1, has hit back at Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo's claim that the Singapore grand prix was akin to a "circus". Also lashing out at the lack of overtaking opportunities at new street circuits, and the farcical safety car rules, Montezemolo said last week that "all this is humiliating for F1".

But Ecclestone, F1's chief executive, hinted to Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper that the attack by Montezemolo was perhaps to divert attention from Ferrari's woeful showing under the city-state's floodlights.

"If the Ferrari president is right about the Singapore grand prix being a circus," he said, "then we have to be grateful to him for providing the clowns."

The 77-year-old is undoubtedly referring to title rival Felipe Massa's botched pitstop, when the Brazilian ripped the fuel hose from the rig and pulled it the entire length of the pitlane.

market2garden: Supremo is right, Montezemolo’s claim is to ease the pressure for his team’s dismal performance.

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Part 1)

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Part 1)

Source: The Straits Times Sep 20, 2008
http://www.straitstimes.com/The%2BStraits%2BTimes%2BPit%2BStop/Off%2BThe%2BTrack/Story/STIStory_280644.html

Excerpts to be captured here. In case the web page was removed eventually.

Excerpts 1:

NEVER one to shy away from bold predictions, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone made another ahead of the much-anticipated SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

'Whoever wins this, whether it's (Lewis) Hamilton or (Felipe) Massa, will probably be the champion,' the sport's commercial rights holder told The Straits Times over the telephone from his London office earlier this week.

'This is a very important race for the championship.”

With four grands prix in the 18-race season remaining - Japan, China and Brazil are next after Singapore - the drivers' championship is balanced on a knife's edge.

McLaren driver Hamilton tops the standings with 78 points but Ferrari's Massa is just one behind. If Massa takes the chequered flag here on Sept 28 and Hamilton finishes second, it will be the Brazilian's turn to carry a slender one-point advantage.

market2garden: We shall see whether the prediction by the supreme is correct by year-end. Will follow-up on this.

Excerpts 2:

The hotel, retail and entertainment sectors are expected to benefit the most from the 40,000 tourists coming for the race. One week before the big day, some are already caught up in the F1 fever.

market2garden: How about the fellow Singaporeans? Feverish or “who cares?” attitude? And really benefitted economically?

Excerpts 3:

There is always the element of the unknown when drivers manoeuvre new tracks, and fans are already fired up by the possibility of crashes or crucial driving mistakes.
The season has already been packed with race incidents. Remember Hamilton shunting the back of Raikkonen's car in the pit lane at the Canadian Grand Prix, forcing both to quit the race prematurely? Or the Finn and his Ferrari colleague Massa's late engine failures in Valencia and Budapest respectively?

market2garden: Last night the practice sessions already shown that that’s possibility of “mistakes” for today’s qualifying session and tomorrow’s the actual race.

Excerpts 4:

There will be unprecedented global attention and media coverage of this country - because of the title chase, the prospect of more unfolding drama, and so much more.
What better way to sell Singapore, than for attractions like the Esplanade or the Flyer to be beamed into living rooms worldwide during the 90-minute race?

market2garden: The race is tje only part of the whole. The GP Season, planned by Singapore Tourism Board, including Singapore River Festival, Singapore Motors Show and others. Intentionally the Singapore Government is seriously remaking Singapore, with the help of the race, plus the other mega projects, such as Integrated Resorts (with casinos) at Marina Bay and Sentosa by the year 2010 or 2011. Let’s hope the efforts are well paid.

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There will be another blog entry after the race. Stay tuned.

Add-on Oct 07,2008:
Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Part 2)

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