Singapore is the new Monaco: a harborside city track, no passing, more spectacle than motor race. But it’s an absolute thrill when you treat it as pure eye candy. Here’s some photos from last Sunday's race.
As a race, it was a weird combination of boring and fun, with some crashes adding sparkle to what was otherwise a procession. A resurgent Lewis Hamilton led from start to finish, followed by Toyota’s Timo Glock. Victory has eluded the Japanese team yet again, for the 136th time since their debut in Formula One in 2002.
Last year’s grand prix, the first such event in Singapore, was the scene of Renault’s staged crash for Nelsinho Piquet, which cost Renault team boss Flavio Briatore his career in motorsports. His ex-team, however, made it onto the podium courtesy of Fernando Alonso, who brought his R29 home in third place, the first podium finish for Renault this season.
Alonso and winner Hamilton—teammates and mortal enemies at McLaren for the 2007 season—provided for some high body language fun, as they could not conceal their mutual disgust neither in the pre-podium room nor on the podium itself. A bloody fight to the death with broken bottles of Mumm champagne was, for a long time, not out of the question.
The talented Mr. Vettel of Red Bull will have to wait until next year to seriously challenge for the title, as a number of rookie errors have contributed to his poor finish at 4th, effectively putting him out of the world championship race.
Meanwhile, Jenson Button of Brawn GP gained two points on teammate Rubens Barrichello with his 5th place finish. He now leads the championship with 84 points to Barrichello’s 69, with 30 more up for grabs in the remaining races. Even though he has not won a race since Vettel demolished him in his home race at Silverstone, Button will have a hard time losing the championship if he continues to finish well into the points.
Only three more races to go in perhaps the strangest Formula One season ever. Stay tuned for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend at Suzuka.
The case for night races! Giancarlo Fisichella in his Ferrari is a wonderful sight in his Ferrari even if he threatened nobody for points.
Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Even pitstops look cooler at night. Here’s eventual winner Lewis Hamilton being fuelled by his silver and red McLaren team.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Quick, silly face, you’re in focus—not! Did you know that F1 babes are officially called grid girls? I love that.
Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images
There is a painterly quality to this photograph taken just after the start of the race. Lewis Hamilton led from pole to finish.
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Contrary to her usual habit, Lewis Hamilton’s girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger did not spend every second on camera jumping up and down. Hamilton is just as perplexed as every connoisseur of the female form.
Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Timo Glock in his Toyota, on his way to second place, living the Toyota Curse. Still, in spite of his bad luck, he is a man named after a German handgun.
Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Famous people! In fact, a famous couple: Jean Todt is with his fiancée, former Miss Malaysia and Bond girl Michelle Yeoh.
Photo Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
If you were a refueling hose, this is what you would see of a Formula One race. Spectacular—but I suspect rather repetitive after a while.
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Jenson Button is on his way to demonstrate how to win the Formula One world championship without winning a single race in the second half of the season.
Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images
A happy Hamilton! Look how bubbly and used up his tires are after the race.
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Bursting with joy is Mr. Alonso after his first podium finish since last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, isn’t he?
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Sebastian Vettel is obviously a future champion. All he needs to do now is not make silly mistakes. Then again, he’s 22—and I’ll just bet you can remember silly mistakes you’ve made at that age.
Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Watch the gap between Hamilton and Alonso. Bosom buddies, aren’t they?
Photo Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images