Lew Glue This Add Make Fun Of Massa Pit Stop Fuel Rig Hose Incident How many Italians does it take to remove a fuel hose? Well with Super-Lew-Glue, it will take at least six Italian stallion-powers. (ISP) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/62690-super-lew-glue-out-now And the funniest moments when McLaren team mechanic cheering on Ferrari as they were sprinting (100meter)toward Massa to get the fuel hose unfasten.
boston.com as usual have some great pics: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_singapore_grand_prix.html looks like RBS is a major sponsor!
All fears and apprehensions of staging the F1 at night in a very tight street circuit have been debunked! The most unexpected winner, Alonso with his Renault, swore he would be unable to win the race after being placed 15th out of 20 on qualifying and yet he manouvered the tough circuit so splendidly by overtaking so many other first-class racers to emerge top of the pack in the end! Singapore's inaugural F1 Night Race has been an unqualified success! It has more than met most expectations and overall the feedback has been very encouraging! Sponsors and race participants from the drivers to the F1 enthusiasts have been most positive in their response. The most encouraging remark came from an experienced F1 observer who commented that Singapore's F1 has even surpassed that of famous Monte Carlo's. An unexpected feather in Singapore's cap indeed! Our tourism people must be over the moon to see Singapore's unique shining sparkle like a jewel in the night being beamed to millions of homes all over the world on Sunday. We have achieved most of our objectives through this F1 experience and will definitely be able to organize a better outing for the next 4 years. Some of the Asian countries are now hard pressed to provide night races like Singapore's in order to engage more enthusiasts from the West. It's good that Singapore has set a high benchmark for others to follow. It could only make night races more appealing to F1 fans throughout the world. I had a chance to learn more about F1 races and organization from the comforts of my office and home. It has been an exhilarating experience! But perhaps the best compliment will be that Singapore will be remembered every time the F1 is mentioned. As Rohit Brijnath has commented today in SportingLife, The Straits Times: "In conversations on circuits and chicanes, our name will always come up. In calendars on sport, it will now be noted: Masters in April in Augusta, Wimbledon final in July in London, Street magic in September in Singapore. It is sweet company to be in."
Yeah... wish it was staged much earlier like the 70s, 80s and 90s and early 2000s.. then the visitors revenue will increase more and tourism will get the extra boost
It seems not everyone enjoyed it: Ferrari furious over Singapore GP Di Montezemolo remains confident of Ferrari's title chances Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has launched a scathing attack on Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix. Renault's Fernando Alonso took victory at the Marina Bay circuit but Ferrari drivers Filipe Massa slipped from pole to 13th and Kimi Raikkonen crashed out. "When we race on tracks which should be used for the circus, anything can happen," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "This is humiliating for F1 and it is an aspect I want to talk about with the other teams in the next few weeks." F1's first night race drew rave reviews from spectators but drivers complained about how bumpy the track was, particularly off the racing line, which made overtaking difficult on a street circuit hemmed in by barriers. There were two safety car interventions, the first of which turned the race upside down and contributed to Spaniard Alonso's unexpected victory for Renault. It was a bitter day, but there are three races left and I have faith in all of Ferrari's men Alonso pitted before the safety car emerged a third of the way into the Grand Prix, which enabled him to tack onto the back of the field under safety car conditions and then go to the front when other drivers pitted when the pit lane was reopened. Montezemolo, appointed this month as the first chairman of the F1 Teams Association, said before the race that street circuits, with their lack of overtaking opportunities, were not the way forward for the sport. McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh expects the events in Singapore to prompt a change in the rules relating to when drivers can pit under safety car conditions. "It will happen I am sure by the start of next year," Whitmarsh told Autosport magazine. "For people to change now they have to accept they got it hopelessly wrong, and it has to change during the winter." Ferrari's failure to score any points in Singapore meant McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who finished third behind Alonso, extended his championship lead over Massa to seven points with three races left. "It was a bitter day, but there are three races left and I have faith in all of Ferrari's men," said Montezemolo. "We saw that last year in the final race in Brazil. "Ferrari went through times much more difficult than this. I expect Massa and Raikkonen to always finish first and second in the three remaining races. In any case, ahead of McLaren. The team president also backed the mechanics who gave Massa the green light during a pit stop despite the fuel hose still being attached to the car as he sped away. "We have extraordinary mechanics who in other occasions have swung results our way," said Montezemolo. "We must stay close to each other because Ferrari are always world champions and are still in the running to win." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7644042.stm
Indeed. Alonso said his weekend was over after 2nd qualifying on saturday. He only actually overtook on the track 3 times though I think - three places into turn 1&2 of the first lap. The rest of the overtaking was when the opponents were in the pits.
I guess hamilton will win the championship unless someone bumps into him in the remaining 3 races. All he need is to complete in top 3 in the remaining races.
I believe he was 16 points clear AFTER winning japan last year, then crashed out in shanghai (team and his fault - tyres) then had computer failure for 30 seconds in brazil which took him only to get 1 point. I was so disapointed...............
I think Alonso is a pretty "street smart" driver who uses his head more than others and he took his opportunities well. His team also changed to "contrarian" tactics which required him to be early in the pit for refuelling than many, if not all, others. These paid sweet dividends! Yes certain parts of the track were bumpy but changes were made whenever possible by the organisers. Feedback from the drivers can only make the street circuit better next year. But one could only sympathize with the powerful Ferraris which encountered their worst experience so far for not being able to score a single point and their famous drivers being unplaced. But do remember that Alonso as well as third-placed Hamilton, both drove on the same torturous track and came out winners. I think the Ferraris expected the track to be smooth sailing, something perhaps they are very used to in past races. And Hamilton is now on top in world standings while Alonso has regained some respect as a two-time world champion. Alonso and Hamilton had excellent team support during the final and this helped them to achieve success.
yeah... it's just like 'dono how to dance, blame on the floor'... or 'dono how to play badminton, blame on the rackets, shuttles, net, shoes, socks, tshirts, pants, strings and opponents'... hehe.. Sounds familiar isn't it?
Singapore's F1 Circuit Circus Attracts & Entertains Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has launched a scathing attack on Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix. Renault's Fernando Alonso took victory at the Marina Bay circuit but Ferrari drivers Filipe Massa slipped from pole to 13th and Kimi Raikkonen crashed out. "When we race on tracks which should be used for the circus, anything can happen," he told Gazzetta dello Spor In a sense Luca di Montezemolo was right when he equates Singapore's F1 to that of a circus. A circus traditionally attracts a great deal of attention. It provides drama, suspense such as the flying trapeze act and some other death defying stunts, comedy with the clowns and other slapstick humour that truly entertain the audience and make them return for another visit. Singapore's F1 is no different in providing the high drama when drivers crashed and provided the thrills and spills on the race track that so entertained the spectators. And in this first episode, the Ferraris scored highly in dishing out the entertainment that made this inaugural race so exciting and memorable. Top Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa, who was so impressive during the qualifying, contributed to the drama and in a sense, the comedy, when his colourful Ferrari burst down the pit lane with a trailing fuel pipe and knocked down some of his technical team mates in the process. His comrade, defending champion Kimi Raikkonen, added to the drama when he crashed out during the final stages, just 4 laps from the finish when he could have scored some points for the team. Whatever negative remarks from Luca, it was F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's last words that counted the most when he proclaimed: "I am completely satisfied with the job the organisers have done in every way, shape and form. They have done a simply magic job with the track here and there are are no complaints at all (But I'm sure he'll hear from Luca soon ). When I originally suggested the notion of Grand Prix racing under lights, people had thought I had gone mad, but the whole Singapore experience has raised the standards for everybody." In sports, Singapore has never quite made it to the top spot as the recent Beijing Olympics has shown. But maybe in sports organisation like this F1, Singapore can be promoted and elevated to a high pedestal. As My Paper reporter, Chia Han Keong has said on Sep 30: "In three days, the inaugural Singapore F1 Grand Prix has become the Republic's "Beijing Olympics". "Just like what the 16-day sports extravaganza did for Beijing last month, the world's first Formula One night race at Marina Bay earned Singapore unequivocal acclaim worldwide for a visually-stunning and thrill-filled spectacle."
Yes and No. Bernie does have a vested interest in things since he personally benfeited to the tune of many million $$$ by having Singapore pay for the right to host the Grand Prix, and he is always effusive in his praise for new circuits as he obvisously hopes other prospective clients to be listening and wanting him to be praising their country. He is a political animal. Likewise Luca has a vested interest as it is his team that has fallen foul of the circuit (safety car incident). Also Luca is the new Chairman of th F1 team comittee which has more power as the concorde agreement they used to have with F1 (Bernie) has now expired. As such the teams now have more power over F1 than before, thus Bernie has less. Irrespective of the politics however on balance it was a success. Is this the biggest event Singapore has held?
But we did receive accolades from other professsionals as well. Well we have hosted the Southeast Asian Games many years ago and will host the Youth Olympics in 2010. But by far, I think this is the most outstanding sports event that Singapore has organized with such great success. More so in such a short space of time and without prior F1 experience. In terms of dollars, this F1 could have surpassed them all but the returns could be manifold, particularly in the tourism sector when more from overseas get to know more about Singapore. A calculated risk which Singapore took with great caution but I think the rewards will be forthcoming. And by about 2010, our other risk taking with the Integrated Resorts at two locations, which incorporates the much debated casinos, will come onstream to give us the added pomp and fanfare. And strategically, Marina Bay Sands will certainly add more colour and sights to the Marina Bay Street circuit. It will also give visitors another first-class entertainment spot as an excuse to stay longer. The other IR site at Sentosa will be out of sight, unfortunately.
A lot of times, many people see the glamour and glory of the events, but few realise the work that had been put into hosting such an event. Unfortunately, I had the "honour" of constructing part of the track. Whether is it worthwhile, I dare not say. Maybe the country would have put itself into international spotlight by hosting an event, such as F1. But I feel that the amount of money, resources and time put into the event may not be worth its while. Think of all the roads that have been shut down, and people have to detour to work, shoppers shun the shopping complexes, taxis imposing surcharges. These are all waste of resources. Then we think again, what have we got in return? More tourists? Nope. More sales? Nope. What we got was only a reputation that only the F1 fraternity will recognise. So, in terms of tangible benefits, we have nothing; in terms of intangibles, only a name. Whether or not the intangibles will translate into real tangibles, only time can tell.
I think we need patience to see the results. Yes, we have put in a lot of hard work and money, yes certain quarters in our economy may not have benefited directly and some shops around the F1 circuit area may have even lost business and it has caused inconvenience to the public to some extent, but this is thankfully for a limited period. The experience gained will improve our performance next year. This is a cummulative experience which will help us embark on other similar endeavours. If we had not hosted and participated, we would not have caught the eyes and ears of so many fans and their friends from around the world. We would not have seen for ourselves how a F1 race is run. We would not have gone very far from before. We would have slowly lost our dynamism and zest for life and nobody would have noted. We may be isolated and not survived. Like Singapore in its early days and how through decades of improvement and exposure our tiny lion city has grown to an international size very much bigger than it should be. A great deal of effort and sacrifice have been invested in the past and will continue into the future to enable us to be counted. We may lose some now, but we may be able to gain more later and there is cause for our younger generation to look forward to and take pride as a citizen of Singapore. Patience is needed to witness the rewards of our endeavours and investment.
Do you get a feeling that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is trying to promote night racing? If so, why? For more money or for better racing or both? Another interesting question: is street racing better than a purpose F1-built circuit? Also for the host country: if it is a purpose built circuit what happens to the circuit on the other non-racing days? Is it put to other economic uses? How do you calculate the cost/benefits to the host country? One thing is more certain and that is all the F1 fraternity and Bernie make real money-you don't need a Phd to figure this out.
how much singapore gove spent to organise F1 Race in Singapore? I've read from other forum that a total of USD70MILLION was spent. If it is real,than is quite a big amount.
