Formula One Season Starts This Weekend

[SteveB]

In Singapore, officials are worried the smog caused by slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia, that is, the lighting of fires to clear forested land, will affect the Singapore Grand Prix which is due to take place this weekend.
In Singapore, the index reached 249 on Monday, putting it in the "very unhealthy" category.
The level has been above 100 - which is considered "unhealthy" - for several days.

[SteveB]

Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying
Some upsets and surprises!

1. Sebastian Vettel Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 43.885s
2. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-Renault 1m 44.428s
3. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 44.667s
4. Daniil Kvyat Red Bull-Renault 1m 44.745s
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 45.300s
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 45.415s
7. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Mercedes 1m 45.676s
8. Max Verstappen Toro Rosso-Renault 1m 45.798s
9. Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes 1m 46.077s
10. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Mercedes 1m 46.413s
11. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m 46.305s
12. Fernando Alonso McLaren-Honda 1m 46.328s
13. Sergio Perez orce India-Mercedes 1m 46.385s
14. Carlos Sainz Jr Toro Rosso-Renault 1m 46.894s
15. Jenson Button McLaren-Honda 1m 47.019s
16. Felipe Nasr Sauber-Ferrari 1m 46.965s
17. Marcus Ericsson Sauber-Ferrari 1m 47.088s
18. Pastor Maldonado Lotus-Mercedes 1m 47.323s
19. Will Stevens Manor Marussia-Ferrari 1m 51.021s
20. Alexander Rossi Manor Marussia-Ferrari 1m 51.523s

[SteveB]

This is the first time Mercedes have failed to qualify at the front for 15 months.
Lewis Hamilton had seven straight pole positions. Pole today would have equalled Ayrton Senna's record of eight straight pole positions.

Mercedes said they are having trouble generating tyre temperature. Interesting to see what happens tomorrow, and whether their engine superiority will enable a win over a race distance.

From the championship perspective, it matters little, as with only seven races to go, realistically, Mercedes have won the Constructor’s Championship, and Lewis Hamilton the Driver’s Championship.

Race tomorrow, Sunday, 13:00 - 15:00

[SteveB]

Singapore Grand Prix, and Vettel leads, but Hamilton having bad day at the office with software problems, losing power, and back to tenth.

[SteveB]

Hungary is the only other race Hamilton has not led so far this year.
Looks like he might retire, out of the points now, might as well save the engine.

[SteveB]

Lewis retires.
So far,
1 VET Ferrari
2 RIC Red Bull
3 RAI Ferrari
4 ROS Mercedes
5 BOT Williams
6 KVY Red Bull
7 PER Force India
8 NAS Sauber
9 BUT McLaren
10 MAL Lotus
11 ERI Sauber
12 SAI Toro Rosso
13 VPN Toro Rosso
14 GRO Lotus
15 RSI Marussia
16 STE Manor
Retired ALO McLaren
Retired HAM Mercedes
Retired MAS Williams
Retired HUL Force India

[SteveB]

Recently we have become accustomed to Lewis Hamilton breaking records, but if Sebastian Vettel wins the Singapore Grand Prix, he passes Senna's 41 race record, in 10 less races.

[SteveB]

There is a second safety car because there is someone walking on the circuit. Strange.

[SteveB]

There are several teams suffering power and gearbox problems.
Formula 1 engineers had reported problems earlier as their cars approach Singapore’s Anderson Bridge. There is a strange magnetic or electrical interference, probably related to subway lines that run nearby and underground.

I wonder does it also affect people's brain, and cause them to walk on the circuit. Last thing Seb Vettel wanted. Safety cars has completely messed up his strategy.

[SteveB]

Twenty one laps to go.
Safety car in, racing again.
Likely to be no more pit stops, now just flat out race to the finish.
Sebastian Vettel already pulling away again, building up a lead