Visit the «big circus», «Formula 1» in Singapore and Japan was very ambiguous. Supporters saw two Grand Prix, held on a completely different scenario and complete the diametrically opposite result — in fact, there was «an exchange figures» between Mercedes and Ferrari. And perhaps the only similarity was fantastic luck Daniil Kvyat...
Incidentally, the input data before the two races were mildly different from each other. Judge: day and night Grand Prix, the city and the stationary track, a new «tilkedrom» and in fact the classic «Formula 1». Everyone is different, and that the result was the same.
Night stages in Singapore is absolutely all the participants were looking forward to. With leaders and everything is clear, but for the middle and outsiders this urban track, where motor power is not decisive, could give a chance for good results.
In the week before the race in all seriousness was a discussion of a possible cancellation of the race. Smoke from fires in Indonesia reached Singapore, and under smoke to hold a night race could forget. But, fortunately, at the beginning of the free practice normalize the situation and everything went normally.
The first of two stages of the Asian Championship F1 — Singapore Grand Prix — is likely to be remembered by the fans is not so much unexpected victory of Sebastian Vettel as sensational failure riders Mercedes.
The first wake-up call for the team, «three-beam star» sounded on the free races. The first session of the pilots of the German team accustomed finished in first and second positions, but in the second they were only the fourth and seventh. The third session is also not pleased with either the riders or team nor the fans: Lewis — the fifth and Nico — the sixth.
For months, all dreamed of it, waited predicted and sadness, waiting, and when in the free practice of the Singapore stage, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg together were in the depth of the top ten, the rivals together thought it was a tactical move — say, «Mercedes hides its true form». The failure of the German team is simply taken aback by all the other participants of the championship F1.
The track, where cars appear in a configuration with high downforce, proved an insurmountable obstacle for the «the Silver Arrows.» Mercedes race cars were not similar to themselves, which proved a failure qualifications. The main reason for the low speed Mercedes is that unlike rivals German team was unable to obtain the normal operation of the soft rubber composition, which had the advantage of speed.
At the end of the qualifying races on the first two lines were the representatives of Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. Best time showed Scuderia driver Sebastian Vettel. His teammate Kimi Raikkonen was third, and wedged between the driver «bulls» Daniel Ricardo. Fourth place in Daniel Kvyat — weekend started very well for the Russians.
Only on the third row of the grid — the pilots Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton showed the fifth time ahead of Nico Rosberg. At the same time the Briton lost the pole position holder Vettel almost one and a half seconds!
Then — without any special sensations. It is, perhaps, the only note the high 12th place Fernando Alonso — McLaren-Honda for this result today is an achievement.
Replace in Singapore Roberto Mary Championship debutant Alexander Rossi — in «Formula 1» reappeared pilot American — started the weekend not very successful: the accident in the first practice, pass the second part of the repair and recently in qualifying.
If you compare the starting field and the final result, the person is not looked at the race, it may find that the Singapore Grand Prix turned out to be boring — that at the start, at the finish line that led the peloton triple Vettel — Riccardo — Raikkonen in the same order. But events in the race, and without missing the trio.
From the start Sebastian Vettel kept the lead and began to rip. Daniel Riccardo and Kimi Raikkonen also left a second and third position. In this manner they passed the entire race — behind them rivals faced each other, retirements due to breakage, the safety car went out twice — but it did not affect the «top 3». There was still in the same order.
At the roundabout under the unlucky number 13 at the exit of the boxes did not share the track Felipe Massa and Nico. At the turn of the German left no room Brazilian, that simply had nowhere to go and he crashed into the car Force Inida. As a result, Nico hit the wall and was forced to retire, and Felipe continued the race.
But «long music played» — the thirtieth lap Massa did come down because of problems with the power plant. And after three laps in the pits he stopped Lewis Hamilton — the first gathering of the leader of the season this year!
Problems with the turbine at the British began a further 25 laps. He slowed down and began to pass rivals. The team tried different ways to get the car to work as it should, but do it they failed.
On lap 37 there was an extraordinary event — a fan ran on the track and began to walk along it. The second time in the race the safety car was involved.
After the restart the fans pleased Pastor Maldonado — defending against attacks Venezuelan racer Jenson Button traditionally brought the case to contact, breaking the front wing on the car of the British.
Jenson drove to replace the wing, but after ten laps Button went from the broken gearbox. Another McLaren-Honda driver Fernando Alonso went for another round of 33. But the double is similar in technique McLaren driver is no surprise.
At the Singapore Grand Prix and ended. Vettel, Riccardo and Raikkonen went up to the podium, but fourth finished Nico Rosberg, Valtteri Bottas was fifth, Daniil Kvyat lost because of the departures of the safety car a few positions and finished sixth, followed in the top ten Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Felipe Nasr.
Unlike the Singapore race, the next phase of «Formula 1» — the Grand Prix of Japan — which took place on the more familiar scenario this season. The victory won in qualifying pilot Mercedes, with a number of them started with his teammate, and at the finish of the representatives of «silver arrows» took their «legal» first and second place.
Perhaps the results of the qualifying session would have been different, but the latter is the fastest lap of the top ten riders were spoiled by red flags. The session was stopped due to a major accident, a Russian Daniil Kvyat.
Ufimets hit the third segment, but turn on the tenth lap he made a mistake, drove left wheels on the grass, his car left the road, crashed into a protective barrier and overturned.
