Singapore Grand Prix: The highlights
The urban circuit of Singapore is raced at night and is faced with extreme conditions for the drivers, with a high humidity level. Several notable events have taken place during the Grand Prix, Motors Inside looks back at some of them.
2008: The Crashgate scandal
It’s the first edition of the Grand Prix and a very special incident occurred on the track leading Fernando Alonso to victory.
While Felipe Massa was dominating the weekend with a pole position achieved in qualifying and a well-controlled Grand Prix, Renault driver Nelson Angelo Piquet has an accident.
The safety car is in use and some drivers are coming into the pits for a pit stop. This is the case for Massa, who gets overtaken and rips the fuel hose during his pit lane entry.
On his side, Alonso climbs up and takes the lead of the race with a pit stop made before the intervention of the safety car. A position he won’t leave until the end of the race to win.
But a few months after the events, following Piquet’s removal, revelations come to light. The driver admits to deliberately crashing into the wall to bring Alonso back into the race. The Spaniard, who was unaware of Renault’s strategy, nonetheless retains his victory on this circuit.
2015: Ferrari’s victory over Mercedes
During this Grand Prix weekend, fans will witness Mercedes bowing down for the first time in qualifying, as Ferrari claims its first pole position since 2012.
It is Sebastian Vettel who takes the first place on the grid ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Räikkönen. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes finish in 5th and 6th position respectively.
On Sundays, the Grand Prix sees the same scenario with the 4th victory on the circuit for Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton will also experience his only retirement of the season.
2017: A legendary pile-up
As the drivers race on a soaked track, a pile-up at the front of the grid will force several drivers to retire.
At fault: Sebastian Vettel, who managed to secure the pole position ahead of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
The race starts and Vettel tries to close the door on his pursuers, Max Verstappen and Kimi Räikkönen. This movement causes an accident between the three drivers, forcing them to retire. Fernando Alonso is also caught up in it and also retires.
This will greatly help Lewis Hamilton, who will take the lead of the race and never let go of it, winning the race. It will be his 3rd victory on this track.
