Comments on: The Singapore Grand Prix was a real snooze

By: Nick Bron

Nick Bron — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:33:45 +0000

Thanks for the comment Luke (and Trev).
I also love street circuits, and wouldn’t want it to be too easy, but I think you’ll find Hamilton’s only overtaking was against someone who wouldn’t normally be a problem and, as you said, he had to pull out a brave move - one that he would usually have to use on a far better driver.
Compare it to Monaco: it’s tight there too, but at least there is enough overtaking opportunities to keep the race interesting. I felt Singapore held back the quicker drivers too much and benefitted people on a one stop strategy because they were able to hold the race up. And don’t get me started on how Rosberg was allowed to get away before he served his penalty!
I just hope they try to learn from this race and adapt the course for next year. Then we can all cheer it on, because it was a ’spectacle’ under lights.

By: Luke Broadbent

Luke Broadbent — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:53:49 +0000

While I agrre with a lot of what you say here Nick, I have to disagree about the lack of overtaking opportunities. For me, these are the best races. Street circuits are notoriously bumpy making it an even more difficult ride for the drivers, and yes, overtaking is made evn more difficult.
However, why should overtaking be easy? This is professional sport, nothing is easy. I can’t remember off the top of my head who Lewis Hamilton passed up the inside of one of the corners in this race but it was a brilliant move. He was decisive, skillful and brave. The very assets that should be rewarded when overtaking.
Neverthless you are definetely right about the pitstops when the saftey car is out. That needs to be sorted out, you shouldn’t be punished for pure chance on when your fuel levels and the safety car being deployed coincide with each other.

By: Trev Chance

Trev Chance — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:59:15 +0000

Nice one, Nick. I was thinking the same thing. I’m used to the old days when Murray Walker described cars as “mobile chicanes” - Singapore made the slower cars into mobile barriers!

It needed to be said. I hope the money-lure of the push into Asia doesn’t blind us into accepting bland Formula 1 races.

Note that I just read that F1 chiefs are changing some of the rules to allow for more overtaking next year. Maybe, despite the hype, they did take note of this problem… and let’s hope they change the silly rules about not getting into the pits after the safety car comes out - as you said, it makes it a lottery.