Full Throttle

The Formula One series will kick off their 14th round of the 2009 season tomorrow as they run the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix at the 5.067 km Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore.

This will be the 2nd running of the Singapore Grand Prix by Formula One since arriving in 2008, and it will be Formula One’s second night Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso won the controversial 2008 event after qualifying 15th. Nico Rosberg - qualified 8th - ran second after the first of two safety car periods significantly jumbled the 20-car field for the remainder of the event. Lewis Hamilton qualified second and finished third (and is already whining about the Marina Bay circuit). Most teams used a two-stop strategy, and it takes about 19-20 seconds on pit lane to re-fuel.

Bridgestone have brought two sets of tires to race with: Soft & Super-soft.

It appears that McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton will be in full control of the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix after qualifying with a four tenth advantage in speed and a 9.5 Kg of fuel advantage as well. Assuming an early pit stop at lap 20 - though it might be as early as 18 - Hamilton should be able to increase his gap to at least eight seconds. Hamilton will also have the advantage of KERS, and should easily lead through the first complex of turns (one, two and three).

Vettel is expected in on lap 17 - possibly 15 - and has a slim advantage over Rosberg. Vettel should beat Rosberg through the first complex of turns given that he light on fuel, but he is starting on the dirty side of the circuit. As long as Rosberg stays close, he should pit on lap 19 and leap frog Vettel.

Mark Webber’s Red Bull-Renault was significantly slower than his teammate and he’ll be starting on the dirty side of the track. Expect Webber to be 10-15 seconds behind for the fight for the final podium spot after the first pit stops which will definitely hold up anyone else from charging up from behind.

As for the championship, both Brawn GP drivers - Rubens Barrichello & Jenson Button are going to be in a world of hurt tomorrow, and will do good to get through the tight twisty opening complex of turns in one piece. Each of them will be simply fighting over the scraps and hoping for 1-3 points. While Vettel could be re-invigorating his 2009 World Driver’s championship title hopes.

Also be on the look out for a safety car. A number of drivers have hit the wall this weekend, and if the 40-50% chance of rain decides to turn into a reality, the whole field could end up upside-down - quite literally.

There is just 4 races worth of points left, but this one is a gimme for Vettel and Webber. Even with a full 10 points for Vettel and no points for Button, Vettel will still be 16 points behind… but one more significant screw-up by the Brawn boys, and the title fight could get very interesting.

2009 Singapore Grand Prix: Formula Car Weights By Starting Position Pos Driver Team Weight (kg) KERS
1. Hamilton McLaren 660.5 K
2. Vettel Red Bull 651.0
3. Rosberg Williams 657.5
4. Webber Red Bull 654.5
5. Alonso Renault 658.0
6. Glock Toyota 660.5
7. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber 650.0
8. Kubica BMW-Sauber 664.0
9. Kovalainen McLaren 664.5 K
10. Barrichello Brawn 655.5
11. Nakajima Williams 680.7
12. Button Brawn 683.0
13. Raikkonen Ferrari 680.5 K
14. Buemi Toro Rosso 678.0
15. Trulli Toyota 690.9
16. Sutil Force India 693.0
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso 683.5
18. Fisichella Ferrari 678.5 K
19. Grosjean Renault 683.0
20. Liuzzi Force India 656.0