The Official 2008 F1 Series Thread

[Jon325i]

Who watched Friday practice at Singapore? At the moment I am watching it (DVR'd) and I have a mixed opinion about this new circuit. The positives: stunning to watch at night and it's pretty apparent a big chunk of change was spent to develop this track which winds through a southern part of the downtown area. The part of the track which cuts under the grandstands is very cool too. The downside: I don't see a lot of good places for passing to occur. Despite having more room to work with than Monaco, I'm worried this is race might turn into a procession of carbon fiber and gleaming paint.

Jon

[E30Kaiser]

If rain arrives which it is projected to hopefully we will see a mix up in the usual order and have the front runners battling through again ala Monza. That or there will be a procession of twisted metal and flames instead.

[Jean]

Virtual lap - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2od2i3ZMtd8

My rip lol - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ7Xm3bguVM

[TDE30]

For those of you without DVR's and with jobs...

http://jalopnik.com/5055305/singapore-grand-prix-friday-practice-gallery

Practice Session 2 was absolutely awesome. Night racing owns all.

[z31maniac]

Night racing owns all.

Yes!

I just wish they didn't have the wheel covers so we could see the glowing brakes!

The cars look amazing under the lights.

[E30Kaiser]

Why oh why couldn't Webber knock Hamilton out! Oh the huge Manatee! Oh well, on to Q3!
*Edit: JA~! Massa number 1. Hamilton picked up the pace well in the last session but couldn't answer Massa's speed. Kubica and Heidfeld did well as well and Vettel just behind them. Great Qualifying session.

[Hick]

Webber, how about Alonso dropping out, he would of knocked Hamilton out in Q2.

[Jon325i]

Massa P1 by over half second. With such a gap when compared to Lewis (P2) on down to P6 Heidfeld which are much closer in final quali times makes me wonder if the lil Brazilian is running light on fuel for the start of the race. It's a wildcard call to make since this is a all-new venue with no prior stats to go on.

Nice set-up for Sundays' race: nothing but Ferraris, McLarens & BMWs taking up the first 3 rows on the grid

Jon

[z31maniac]

^I know! I was sitting on the couch screaming at the TV for Hameeeeeeeelton to get knocked out.

[E30Kaiser]

Webber, how about Alonso dropping out, he would of knocked Hamilton out in Q2.

Thats true, and who knows what fuel Hamilton has because you can't really compare his time in Q3 and Q2.

[TDE30]

Webber, how about Alonso dropping out, he would of knocked Hamilton out in Q2.

For serious. And what a way for him (FA) to go out, it wasn't like the motor blew its guts all over the track, it just sounded like a simple ECU malfunction as a result of the severe vibrations. I'm sure the conspiracy theorists will have a field day with the McLaren-built ECU wreaking havoc on Alonso's car. :D

It's good to see the BMW-Sauber boys in the top few rows, although I am developing a distinct distaste for some of Kubi's recent remarks against the team. He's a hell of a driver and (up until this point) has kept most of his thoughts to himself, but I guess he suddenly realizes that:

a.) he is currently the team's #1, and
b.) is in contention for another victory.

Either way, I am not liking the new, more vocal Kubica.

Massa continues to show that he too may soon go from the team's #2 driver to #1 driver. Räikkönen certainly picked up the pace today, but he still seems to be a few tenths away from his teammate.

Such a shame that Hamilton made it through to Quali 3, I would have given a lot to see him be trounced by his lesser experienced teammate.

Tomorrow's start should be interesting, or (as Jon mentioned) a "procession of carbon fiber and gleaming paint." If it rains, then we will see who the real drivers are.

[E30Kaiser]

Looks like there is going to be a bigger gap between the BMW drivers than expected:
"Heidfeld dropped, Barrichello fined after pit-entry confusion

BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld and Honda’s Rubens Barrichello have been penalised by race stewards in Singapore after an incident at the pit entry during the first phase of qualifying.

Heidfeld, who was to start the race from P6, has been dropped three places on the grid for impeding Barrichello, while the Brazilian has been handed a 10,000 euro fine for incorrectly entering the pit lane.

As he was completing his in-lap after his final Q1 run, Heidfeld was slowing to enter the pit lane when he was caught by Barrichello, on a flying lap. Barrichello was forced to slow and then chose to abort his lap and also enter the pits at the last minute, failing to correctly use the designated deceleration zone as he did so."

[TDE30]

WHAT IN THE MOTHER FUCKING A?

Please Lord, tell me that the FIA doesn't think that BMW Sauber's sole mission is to slow down (arguably) the slowest team in Formula One, if not the slowest team in motorsports today.

SON OF A BITCH!

[E30Kaiser]

yeah seems kinda shitty to make the worse pit entrance ever and then blame the drivers. I can't wait for the race where you have 10 cars ducking in there at once and the other 10 keeping on going and it is just a cluster fuck.

[Jon325i]

yeah seems kinda shitty to make the worse pit entrance ever and then blame the drivers. I can't wait for the race where you have 10 cars ducking in there at once and the other 10 keeping on going and it is just a cluster fuck.

This was something I noticed as well during Quali and Friday practice. I know the designers had to work within some existing landmarks and structures when laying out the circuit, but there's definately some area to work with around pit entry & exit which can yield a greater margin of safety. I'm not sure what kind of contract the powers-that-be of Singapore have with Uncle Bernie, but if its long term (and the drivers voice enough concern about safety) then perhaps some minor adjustments can be made to improve this particular problem for future races.

Jon