2012 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix preview

After the Italian Grand Prix brought the 2012 European season to a fine conclusion, Formula 1 now heads back to the far east for a string of Asian races beginning with the superlative night-race around the streets of Singapore. Held on the tricky Marina Bay street circuit, the Singapore Grand Prix has quickly become one of the jewels of F1.

First held in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix became the first night-race in the history of Formula 1, and remains the only true night-race on the calendar. Due to the tight and twisty confines of the Marina Bay street circuit, which features notable locations such as the Anderson Bridge, Raffles Avenue and the Esplanade, the Singapore Grand Prix has become renowned for high amounts of safety car periods throughout the 61-lap race. The safety car has made at least one appearance each year since the inaugural event in 2008, and is likely to reappear once again this weekend as racing recommences.

After a tremendously exhilarating Italian Grand Prix last time out around the legendary and historic Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, the World Championship has remained wide open as the season enters its closing stages. Although both Championship contenders Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were able to finish on the podium, reigning Champions Red Bull failed to finish the race after a disastrous 53 laps. Once again Kimi Raikkonen enjoyed a competitive race finishing 5th for Lotus, closing the gap to Lewis Hamilton in 2nd down to only one point.

Current Championship leader Fernando Alonso holds the record for the most amount of victories at the Singapore Grand Prix, with two since the inaugural race weekend several years ago [’08 and ‘10]. However, the Spaniard’s first win back in 2008 for Renault was done so in highly controversial circumstances, with team-mate Nelson Piquet jr. following team orders and deliberately crashing to allow Alonso to benefit from the ensuing safety car period. Although Fernando Alonso has won the race twice, no one team has taken victory around the Marina Bay street circuit twice, with Renault [’08], McLaren [’09], Ferrari [’10] and Red Bull [’11] all taking only the one victory so far.

As ever, there is a threat of rain looming ominously over the track throughout the weekend. Some weather forecasters have predicted no rain all weekend, whereas others have predicted that rain could well intervene throughout proceedings. Rain has yet to be a major factor during a Singapore Grand Prix, and would create a whole new experience for drivers racing in inclement conditions under the glaring street lights which line the circuit.

The drivers steward for the Singapore Grand Prix will be former-F1 driver Allan McNish, who will be reprising the role previously held by Emanuele Pirro at the Italian Grand Prix. Allan McNish’s motor sport career began in open-wheel racing, eventually making it to Formula 1 with Toyota in 2002. After that, the Scot entered sportscar racing and has since enjoyed a highly competitive career taking numerous endurance victories at Le Mans and Sebring.

This weekend’s DRS zone remains unchanged from last season, and will offer drivers a tremendous overtaking opportunity into turn 7. The detection zone for the device will be situated at turn 4, with the activation zone just after turn 5 to allow the drivers to utilize the overtaking assist through the straight which leads to the tight left-hander at turn 7.

Singapore is unarguably one of the best nations to host a night-race, with the 61-lap race always a marvelous spectacle under the floodlights. Due to the tight and twisty nature of the Marina Bay street circuit, the Singapore Grand Prix has always been one of the toughest on the calendar. With four different teams having won each race since the inaugural race in 2008, could a fifth team continue the competitiveness of the Marina Bay street circuit this weekend? With Mercedes set to continue experimenting with the Coanda-effect exhaust layout, and Lotus set to introduce a new rear-wing this weekend, a surprise winner is most certainly on the cards at one of the most awe-inspiring races on the calendar.

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