F1 Update from the iSport F1 Pitstop: Ferrari and Fernando Alonso need a podium finish in the Singapore GP to keep their World Championship hopes alive writes iSporter Maharshi Vaishnav.
After a spectacular home Italian GP, where Fernando Alonso won the race and Felipe Massa finished 3rd, a patchy pace and an inclement weather welcomed Ferrari at the Singapore GP.
As we all know, the Singapore GP is probably the most awaited F1 race of the calendar because it boasts of the first night race in Formula 1. As if this weren’t enough, the little over 5 kilometers circuit has an array of daunting 23 corners for drivers to tackle. It is a brilliant circuit with a mix of tight corners and some very long speed traps. The drivers are wary of not just the barriers at a breathing distance but also the heat and humidity because of Singapore’s tropical climate.
While, the Practice pace isn’t necessarily an indicator of the actual race pace, Ferrari just didn’t look comfortable throughout the 2 Practice sessions. They weren’t convincing after the high of Italy. Whether it is the fuel loads, the aero adjustments or the diffuser, I seriously hope the Qualifying on Saturday restores some form at Ferrari.
This weekend’s Singapore GP could well test the organizers and the FIA. The weather boys are predicting wet weather across the 3 racing days and a maximum temperature of only 30 degrees. The teams have anyways struggled to get heat in their tyres because of the night race format. Now, if it rains, I wonder how would the tyres behave and how well would the drivers fare.
Ferrari is expected to bring in quite a few modifications at the Singapore GP. The 2 Ferraris will display modifications mainly on the aerodynamic side with some minor wing and floor adjustments. Apart from this, taking a leaf out of the Belgian GP, where the updates failed miserably, Ferrari seems to have come better prepared. Ferrari is said to include further integration of the diffuser and the gearbox.
With both the Drivers’ and the Constructors’ Championship well and truly up for grabs, Ferrari ought to perform modifications withstanding or failing. Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has reiterated that the Ferrari management still has faith the F10 and the team has not abandoned development on it.
This plus Fernando Alonso’s 2 wins out of the last 3 races has put him in firm contention for the Drivers’ title. He is 21 points behind the Championship leader Mark Webber. Now, this is less than the points haul of 1 more race win. Also, Felipe Massa seems to be gaining points consistently in the last few races.
Alonso has to win or at least be on the podium in all the remaining race of the calendar. Given that Alonso is the clear No. 1 driver at Ferrari; if Ferrari have a great Qualifying; Massa can diligently stay behind Alonso, hamper the pace of the Red Bulls and the McLarens and allow Alonso to win comfortably.
I seriously hope that the erratic pace seen in the Practice sessions is just a negligible aspect and Ferrari are at their Italian GP performance levels.
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