The Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1

Well! Fabulous stuff! What a start to the season! Fantastic stuff! So

close! He has hit the Lotus! What entertainment!

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completely ridiculous. The roads are closed, there is only one way

to see the city. They will see the track, the skyline, everything.

did not want to have a race to get to the race. Plus, two legends in

one boat. He is only here for the motivation! Yes! And, it is the

British Dragon Boat Racing team. Yes! That makes me feel better.

Three miles. You are not going to get to do this on the football!

spend my weekends in the rain in England! I can get you a deal, and

for that, you will get beaten. Let's go, back-pedal! Shot up and

paddle! Can I consider myself the British Fernando Alonso? Singapore,

one of the greatest new races on was pretty tough. How does it feel

to win again? It has been a long time, I will take it! The good news

is, 81, but the bad news is, to whether it is in charge of the

jump into the water, and you were not even paddling! A strenuous way

to arrive at one of the most difficult circuits on the Formula

One calendar, and it is lights out in less than one hour. Welcome.

Everybody says it is the only night race in Formula One, but the first

thing in the morning, it is a beautiful part of the world. It is

new territory for May. I have not seen much daylight this year. Nor

has David! Singapore is a special place, but it is difficult for the

drivers at. It has just gone 7pm, it is 80% humidity, over 30 degrees,

it is a tough day. It is bizarre, the only true night race is one of

the hottest and most difficult for the drivers. It is the 14th race of

the season. We are 88 miles north of the equator, the third most

densely populated country in the world, the fifth Grand Prix here. A

far cry from Italy. This has just been released, this is how next

year is the king. The big headline, New Jersey replaces Valencia. That

is the American Grand Prix. There are two races in North America next

year. It has also been announced this weekend that Singapore will

extend its contract for another five years. It has been on the

calendar for a short time, but we have fallen in love with this place.

The teams were supportive of this continuing, it has become a classic.

I do not doubt that this will deliver the same sort of spectacle.

Bernie Ecclestone said, we love coming to this race, which made it

hard to negotiate a new deal. not believe a word of it, he is the

all-time dealer when it comes to extracting money from people. He

will have got a fair price, and Singapore probably got a fair deal,

because an extension was correct for them, the image, the brand.

They are able to do what they need to do through the Grand Prix.

Bernie Ecclestone can say to people, you need Formula One More than

Formula One needs you. They had musical acts performing, and the

Proclaimers! I was first in line to see them! And a bunch of other

stars. I did not see any of them, because we have been working so

much. Alongside this, everybody lining up, preparing to start the

race. It has been a remarkable season. 12 months ago, Red Bull

were dominating, but it is much closer this year. McLaren could

take the championship lead. Two victories separate the top five.

last few races, McLaren have turned up on a Sunday feeling fantastic,

they have picked up pole position in these three previous races, and

they arrived here, hoping that they could push Fernando Alonso for the

championship lead. What would happen yesterday in qualifying at?

a picture postcard, but Bruno Senna might have wished he was not here.

He was out of contention in Q2. Romain Grosjean almost copied him,

but he escaped without damage, and he shrugged off his race bad by

beating Kimi Raikkonen and earning a start on the first -- Forth Road

of the grid. Sebastian Vettel set the pace on Friday and Saturday

practice, but he came up short in qualifying, he was not in third

position. The surprise performance came from Pastor Maldonado. He said

second fastest time and the best ever starting position for Williams

in Singapore. Lewis Hamilton appear to be on a different level, once he

had adjusted. His best lap was almost half a second faster than

his rivals, and he took a fourth successive pole position for

McLaren. Three different constructors represented in the

first three places. Jenson Button is fourth, and Fernando Alonso his

fifth. Paul di Resta put in a good penalty for a gearbox change it.

David, you have qualified here, give us an idea of how special the

latter was from Lewis Hamilton. Half a second faster than anybody

else. Having looked at it in the BBC suite, it was a flawless lap.

The BBC suite! The edit suite! Portakabin! It was flawless.

Controlled aggression, he took the maximum out of it. Audibly, one of

his best ever qualifying laps. happened at Red Bull? Sebastian

Vettel is so good, but he could not do it yesterday. The ingredient

here, Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull were not expecting that flawless lap.

Lewis Hamilton, he has found something in the last four or five

races that is Buckland. He is on a different planet, and he is going

places. He was not the only star of qualified yesterday. Pastor

Maldonado. That is your pit board, they have already put on there,

first place, 60 laps to go. Is that incredible confidence? It is going

to be a difficult race. But we are looking forward to doing our best.

We have a good speed, we hope to have great speed today. The track

has improved after the GP2 race. We hope to have a great weekend.

Barcelona, it was a very aggressive style. Is that how you want to

continue, or do you just want to play things out? It depends on the

start. Anything can happen. Starting from the inside cover they

will see how the grip is. We are looking forward to a great start,

like always have. We will try to always gain a position on the start,

but if we stay second, it is a long race, and we have a great strategy.

You drove a great lap in qualifying, looking at the footage. Talk us

through a bit of the lap. It is one of my favourite tracks, especially

because of the lack of grip, it is slippery. I found a really good

setting in the car. Very well balanced, against the front and the

rear. They were working together. Over the kerbs, it is quite good. A

bit of understeer, but this track is fantastic for May. It is easy to

find the limit. Unit could have through the chicane, which has

caused a lot of drivers some difficulties. Is that something

which will be a benefit for the Williams team, the fact that the

car looks compliant? And were sipping his more conservative than

aggressive -- hour setting up. We are looking forward to having a

consistent race. That will be the tricky point of today for everybody.

We want to have a consistent race, from the beginning to the end.

are moments away from getting into the car, so let's hope they do not

have to replace that number with any other number. It is so good of

the drivers to join us just minutes before they strap themselves in,

but he thinks we are a good luck charm, because we interviewed him

before the Spanish Grand Prix, which he won. He has not scored a

point since then. I wanted to ask him how aggressive he would be into

the first corner. Is he going out to get on the podium or to get

another victory? I think he is going for the victory. Lewis

Hamilton will be regretting seeing him on the front row of the grid.

They have had history, he knows he will be going for the first corner.

Let's hope he behaves. He has had 33 penalties on the grid so far

this season, that is a lot of places to be knocked back. He needs

to start thinking about points in the back, they are being chased by

Force India and Sauber. The team have been working with him, they

have gelled well together. There is a good understanding. I believe he

will play for points. You have to go for at the start, but wherever

he ends up, he will drive a conservative race to try to make

sure he can get to the finish. gets to do the real thing in half-

an-hour, but these guys love racing, when they are not giving it for

real, they do it on computer games in their spare time. We decided to

set them a challenge and ask them this is Lewis Hamilton's home on a

race weekend. These three drivers will be competing in a race. We

have created another race, but it is not just the three drivers, we

working together for three years, now. This is the head of

reliability. No trouble. The former won 2012 video game and they will

be racing on this circuit. Let us see how they get on. -- Formula One.

And away we go. On board with Heikki Kovalainen. Bruno Senna,

side by side. Enter the first corner. There was contact! And he

has got a penalty. And Lewis Hamilton has got through all this.

Bruno Senna, can he make up for the penalty? Heikki Kovalainen, chasing

him down. Lewis Hamilton... He has crashed! On the way into the pits.

Back into the pit stop. Time to change the tyres. And he takes over.

Dempsey, he is chasing after. And Hamilton goes off! He is into the

gravel. That leaves Kovaleinen's men in front., Colin driving for

Bruno Senna. Here he comes, he has done it! Showing great smoothness

and style. Bruno Senna leads but it is time for the second pit stop.

And just behind, Mervyn Dempsey. This will be a challenge for the

boys in the pit lane. Which car welcome out ahead? There was

Hamilton takes over. And the racers are back behind the wheel. And away

goes Heikki Kovaleinen. He has smashed the lead on the pit stop.

The final short sprint to the flag. Concentration coming down towards

the chequered flag. Heikki Kovalainen leaves and Bruno Senna

isn't far behind. Victory for Heikki Kovalainen. Bruno Senna in

second place. But as Lewis Hamilton crosses the line, he will be

pleased to know that Bruno Senna has a ten-second penalty so he will

end up in second place. Congratulations. HET has been a

long time coming but any win is good. I cannot believe how

seriously you take this. Lewis Hamilton had his racing boots on.

He was more serious than I was. Lucky for me. Back to reality,

though this is an pole position and you start from 19th place. What is

your aim? If we can be close again today...! That would be critical.

We have to stay of -- stay ahead of Mauritius. It is a very tough race

so you have to be there at the end and hopefully we can get everything

out of the car and the team. Eddie Jordan is always going on about how

these two teams need to get better. Heikki Kovaleinen back to winning

ways. Blame me! I was delighted, I never, ever doubted his talent. He

has already been a winner and I just heard his name over the

weekend, he could be back with McLaren. The permutations are

immense. Just a shame that it was not real. The reality is 53 places

since he last scored any point and that was in Singapore. How can he

keep himself motivated? Normally it is by out qualifying team mates and

delivering that leader status. Beyond that, there's not much else

he can do. He had an opportunity at Renault and McLaren but the teams

did not look at him at the front of the dread so he is now trying to

rebuild his career. He has got the talent to be in a top team. But it

will be difficult and it will take some slot to open up. You can hear

the engines. Before we disappear, Sebastian Vettel's helmet is a kind

of thing Katie Price would bring. Every time he moves, it starts

flashing. What are they doing? They have been to Brighton or Blackpool

for too long. This is the first time I have ever seen sparklers in

the helmet. Keep your eyes on that helmet. And that is a dry ice being

used. 61 very tough laps. But perhaps the most important one is

the one before the race even starts. David Coulthard went back to the

office to give us some idea of what happens before the grand prix even

gets going. The most important lap of any grand prix weekend is the

formation. By the time you get here on the grid, you have to make sure

that not only had he maintained engine temperature, you happy to Dr

brakes and tyres, but you have to set the biting point on the clutch

carefully. This is all integration between the engineer and the driver.

Get this right and you will win the Grand Prix. TEAM RADIO: These tyres

will not last long. Some information for you... Warm-up

those brakes well before the formation lap. Cooling down. The

gearbox is good. Precision is everything. These last few moments

before lights out by the final opportunity to fine-tune dozens of

on board controls and work together with the engineer at the pit wall

to optimise the performance. With the constant stream of data are

being fed back to the garage, communication is paramount to

ensure all systems are triumphant. TEAM RADIO: Here we go. I am away

from the grid and the countdown is on. Looking good, divot. -- David.

Everything from the engine temperature to the tyre pressure is

being monitored by the team because of sensors. The steering wheel is a

control panel were a can make final adjustments. The clutch, brake

balance and listening to instructions. TEAM RADIO: Used 10%

Kers. Check that the Kers is fully charged and the batteries are ready

for the start. It is a lot of work in here and there are tweaks

throughout the race so it is a very busy cockpit with lots of radio

traffic. TEAM RADIO: Looking good. I need full burn out. I have to

burn out to warm up the tyres and the brakes to their optimum

temperature. Engine 0.1. The bike. First. The engine mapping has been

set to get the maximum torque for the start. And that will be altered

for maximum power during the race. Maurice Deville the clutch is poor.

After numerous adjustments in the car, everything should now be at

the optimum level by reaching the grid. Here we go. One light, two

nights, three louts, four nights, five. -- lights. Perfect start. If

you have got all that bright, you could be into the clean air and on

your way to the podium. Bond of the memories. We're getting close to

the start. McLaren gearing up to go out. To and welcome Lewis Hamilton.

Less than half an hour. They will crossover when it becomes safer.

Give us some insight into how much technology has changed from just a

couple of years ago. Never mind across the seasons, even between

races, these cars change. It was an eye-opener to see just how much the

cars have moved on. Kers, DRS and other assistance they have to work

so constantly the workload for the driver is getting more. I nearly

went for it, there. But Kimi Raikkonen was coming. We will be

out on the grid and a couple of moments but Jenson Button has been

given unique insight to us about what the insight is like. In this

busy panic on European time, do you ever get used to this? Yes, you do.

I think so. The thing for us, we stay on European time, which is

pretty easy because you don't have jet lag. But the most difficult

part is your mind playing tricks most of the day. It I have been

here since Sunday and I have loved my time. A hired you sum up this

race? It is very different and unlike any other. Yes, very

different. It is Bonby, big curbs. It is very unforgiving, it is a

straight circuit and it is hot and humid and there is no sons of the

circuit is quite cool. Difficult to get the tyres right. How important

is it to start at the front? Is overtaking possible? This year,

everyone says people are winning from way back but statistically,

that isn't the case. There have been more wins from the front row

than any other year in the last decade. S. Sorry, I didn't realise

you were having an interview! course not! Yes, it is still

important to be on the front row but you can overtake. We are

those.? When driving behind somebody, do you think, this is it?

Turn number five. There are always kinks on the circuits, not named or

with the number, it is along the back straight with DRS. People

don't expect you to throw the car up the inside in some places. They

leave that door open. The darkness, the bumps, is it difficult to judge

the limits more so than in other races? I would say it is trickier.

Especially the most difficult part of the circuit, it is quite dark.

Through the Mickey Mouse chicane. Good old, David Coulthard! He

really need to be able to see, funnily enough! So you do need good

lighting. And it's quite dark. does it take to win on the circuit?

You have been on the podium before, but what does it take? I don't know.

Every year I have come here, the result has gotten better. Last year

I was second and am I chasing Fernando. I have really enjoyed it.

It's a good race. What about the emotions? You are training and you

are not averse to that, but you still feel it here were than in

other races? Yes, because it is Bombay. There is no rest around the

lap. Even the straights can be bumpy. It is mentally draining. And

it's the longest race on the calendar. Yes, it's the toughest on

out there. But we cannot complain, we do the training so we do not

suffer too much. The training has been great, it has been tough and

it hurts, to be fair. But that keeps us good for the race. A it

might not be the fastest but the skid marks are testament to the

fact that even a rider, you cannot take your eyes off the wall for one

second. These are brand new barriers. They do a lot for safety.

And we will be talking about a man who did a lot for safety into Ron.

It is a nice reminder to the drivers. You cannot take your eyes

off for one second. Especially turn 23, the difficult part is the

middle of 22 and the driver had knocked off his front wing. And he

went into the barriers. Let's go over to the other side of the grid.

If we can get past the cars being rolled on. They have to turn the

engine suffered the back. We had a discussion about the formation and

the work that goes on before the cars make it this far. As we

approached Bruno Senna, with all kinds of people, give us some idea

of the work that is going on now. First off, there are the Czechs and

everything the engineers are not doing, what I love about this

particular moment is every one of those mechanics are working as one

unit and very seldom do you hear them speaking because they are

just... They understand what each person has to do and you don't get

this by just turning up. It is training, practice and training and

all that, all the way through. They are hugely professional guys.

can see the man leading. Fernando Alonso. That is the fastest he will

be going today but it has not been plain sailing. There is a new rear

wing but it was not giving them the results? The only test the get is

the young driver test and that took place last week. Clearly, whatever

it was that they developed, they try to validate that on this track

and it has not worked. I OK, you can say Timo Glock making his way

onto the grid. Charles Pic is about to come exactly to were we are

standing. It is worth pointing out that in the days when you came into

the sport, there is no less effort going into the kind of work that

they are putting in? But without the money, it's hard to get

results? It is the same for every one of these cars on the grid.

People should not think that it is just money, because actually, I

must say that Goricha, we just heard about the effect that maybe

these guys are on the move, there is new technology coming through

and don't forget, they don't have Kers and that is worth not 0.6 on a

second each lap. They have made decent progress and for them, to

talk about being under pressure, with kitten -- kitchen, that is a

big step. You can see Lotus getting pushed through. Grosjean getting

and his team-mate, how much are they chase a know was that?

should not be a great deal, that he was a tough the call for one race.

This is a much more normal level of downforce from Italy. But it will

be interesting to see what his strategy is, because that is why he

was given the penalty. We are following the back of Heikki

Kovalainen. It is Kimi Raikkonen, actually. Impressed by his return?

He was on a high, he has been right up there, Belgium was brilliant,

but this is a disappointment for him. We are joined by our friend.

What happened yesterday? difference was the car. The carp is

difficult, to drive here. We could not yet confident with the car. But

we can use a lot of tyres for today. On a circuit like this, and you say

you have no confidence into the corners, how does that feel?

the driver, it is terrible. Without confidence next to the wall, it is

terrible. But this is racing. We have to improve. Hopefully, the

settings will work. We love you when you are starting at the back

and overtaking people. Ready to go off and see who else you can find?

I love the atmosphere here, you have got the fans sweltering under

the night heat. Fribble take a wonder. I will let you go. Are you

coming with me? It seems to be a better to be chair -- better

temperature for the drivers to work in. But the cockpit temperature

will be over 50 degrees, which will pump their core temperature up

above 40. Will Ross Brawn...? Is this a convenient moment? You look

deep in thought, any concerns? Nothing we can deal with! Tyres

will be the big issue. Nobody has a good handle on how they will

degrade, because the conditions are so different from Friday, when we

ran high fuel. It will be a reactive race. One of the many

titles and accolades you have it is a master strategist. You have gone

with a different strategy for your two drivers. Which tyres will you

start on? We think there is the right strategy, and you will see

when the blankets, of which one we have chosen. You can tell the BBC!

Give the fans the inside information! Perhaps that was

pushing it a bit too far! I have lost Eddie Jordan, I guess he is

finding a celebrity or two. I have found myself in amongst a group of

dignitaries. Look at that come up all the boys hiding the car, but

look at this side. It is beautifully exposed, but do not go

too close! They might get upset! We have got a day to a junior here,

doing the last minute checks. Looking at that everything is

within the operating parameters. The extra heat that goes into the

cockpit also goes into the car, the engine runs at 120 degrees. It is a

pressurised system, that is how it is able to deliver. You bump into

Adrian. You were the Sure Fire favourite for pole position, were

you disappointed with third place? Yes, it sounds a bit sore, but the

car was very good through practice, we seemed to be in good shape, Q1

was very quick, and Q3, it did not happen. It was an impeccable lap by

Lewis Hamilton. I was not really watching him. Use all the time!

obviously made a good time, we thought we could do that as well,

but it did not happen. A great opportunity to see right up close,

but at the detail on the back of the Ferrari, the overhanging

exhaust system, all of the developments. Gary Anderson will

give us insight later. We are getting into the heart of the lap,

the red lights there, 285 metres to the first corner, the guy at the

looking for some other people to get hold of! They are singing the

national anthem of Singapore. Due to its intensity and

competitiveness, this sport rarely stops to reflect, but they will now

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reflect on the remarkable life of Bernie Ecclestone asked Professor

Sid Watkins to improve medical facilities at one Prix races. Over

three decades, his brief expanded and transformed the safety

procedures of motor racing and Grand Prix racing. Many in the

sport owe him an immeasurable debt. He died last week, aged 84. We now

ask you to join us on the grid in observing a one-minute silence as

we remember the remarkable achievements and lasting legacy of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 65 seconds

the man affectionately known as the Watkins, we will never know how

many lives he saved, but it is a great many, and we will never

forget the hard work he put in. There is a book of remembrance.

This is the perfect message, somebody has written a car with the

word safety on the side. The HRT team principal, I will always

remember you as Allott Guardian. This bust was commissioned on his

retirement. He did not want to do not want to be around Formula One.

He was an incredible surgeon, but what has been special about this

weekend, people have remembered the man as much as his achievements.

this journey of life, you get touched by all sorts of different

things, and he had something that was absolutely a remarkably special,

very few people have that, so if you went to him with a problem, you

could talk to him, he had a medical corps, but he had a friendship. I

can talk about Rubens Barrichello, the things that he did for drivers,

you cannot describe it. He did a lot for your drivers, and his

legacy will live on. It is one of the reasons why the drivers can

push as hard as they can go round a circuit like this. Yesterday, Lewis

Hamilton gave us a masterclass in what it takes to grab a pole

yourselves in for what is one of the best laps of Lewis Hamilton's

career. The first corner. A short apex. Down into the third corner.

Over the bump on the exit. The DRS is wide-open. He ran over the kerb,

because it is only painted on the circuit, and then onto the wall.

Let's listen. Five g of braking up, he nails his apex. A classic street

circuit section, look at how dark it is on the left. Building the

speed on to the back straight, the DRS, the KERS deployed. One of the

trickiest corners on the track, the car is bouncing. A small correction

for oversteer. Across the bridge, down to the slowest corner on the

track, 40 miles per hour. Listen to the progression as he opens the

power across the be the fault, one of the widest points on the track.

He is riding it out to the wall. This is just a position as he

breaks down into the first of the long chicanes. This was made famous

by Nelson Piquet. One of the unique aspect of the track, underneath the

stadium. People above him as he accelerates out of the darkness. He

is building the speed. Listen to this. Only one gear down in the

last turn, and for commitment as he runs to the line. Half a second

quicker than his nearest rival. One of the best qualifying laps of his

career. A remarkable 106 seconds. Pole

position number 24 of his career, the same as Niki Lauda, Nelson

Piquet, but no points on Saturday. There is a question over the tyres

at this race. That might be his biggest demon. Trying to get him to

the end of the race in front. He has an interesting partner next

door to him, Pastor Maldonado. cannot wait to see the race start.

Not the qualifying you hoped for yesterday, what can you do about

it? Plenty of strategy involved, we need a clean first lap, and then we

will see how the race goes. Have a good one.

He is always happy-go-lucky. Six minutes to go. Ferrari asking

themselves a few questions. The big positive is that Fernando Alonso

can afford a bad weekend. He will not want a bad weekend. They are

not going to win that many races, and the important thing is, how can

they stay in front and keep the others behind? Sebastian Vettel

arrived here a long way back in the championship 12 months ago, and he

still took the title. That was a couple of years ago. The

championship leader starts in fifth place, his closest challenger is on

pole position and getting closer all the time. It is our two Lewis

Hamilton to turn a late night into a great night in. With David

Coulthard and Ben Edwards, it is the Singapore Grand Prix, under the

lights in Singapore. If you go to the BBC Sport website, there is a

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host of extra options. This will be has become a monocle of Asia.

Spectacular Singapore, hosts around 14 other championship. -- night

race. The hub of one of the original Asian tiger economies,

Singapore lies under 100 miles north of the equator and tropical

heat just adds to the challenge of driving this three-mile, 5, Church

Street circuit around Marina Bay. Bonby and twisted, hard and the

bricks and fuel consumption and it is extremely demanding on the

drivers for a race that lasts around the maximum duration, around

two hours? 100% safety record here and that pushes it towards two

hours. Just consider for one moment small racing drivers made above

about 40 litres of fluid and they might lose four litres during the

grand prix so he is in a severe state of dehydration towards the

end of this. The core temperature rises up to around 40 degrees, that

is fact because some drivers swallow a thermometer and they are

able to get that information out later. They really are showing

their ability. Very difficult sometimes to explain to people

house sitting on your backside driving a car can be physically

challenging but imagine getting on an exercise bike whilst dressed in

skiing gear and that might put your mind into that place. Fernando

Alonso leads coming into this, three victories so far. Starts in

5th place, has some work to do. 4th place, Jensen Button, he has two

wins, recently in Belgium and for podiums in total. He will be

annoyed to be that little bit behind his team-mate in qualifying.

Sebastian Vettel did not deliver in the final part of Q 3. But this is

his first top-three start in three races. In memorial to Sid Watkins,

the front of the Williams car, Pastor Maldonado, starting in

second place. No 0.68 grand prix is. But that masterful victory in Spain

earlier on. Can he get that form back? Started on pole position, it

is Lewis Hamilton. His 5th pole position of the year, his second in

Singapore. He seems to love this circuit, it was a brilliant lap, as

you showed us, and he has had six podium finishes and a second in the

championship. 142 points. He is the closest challenger to Fernando

Alonso and he will be chasing victory here. To narrow that gap on

Ferrari and take it into this final events. Here is the grade in detail.

Lewis Hamilton lining up on pole position, alongside his Pastor

Maldonado. The reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel with

Jenson Button starting from 4th place. Alonso and Paul di Resta

next. Paul di Resta had a great result last season. Mark Webber and

Romain Grosjean on the 4th row. Then Michael Schumacher and Mika

Rosberg and we're waiting to see what strategy they used on the

tyres. Hulkenberg and Kimi Raikkonen behind, Felipe Massa only

13th place and Perez, he is on the 14th. Dinah Ricardo and Jean-Eric

Vergne. There could be that threat from Timo Glock in Russia. Bruno

Senna further down that he would have been. The blankets are coming

off. All the top honours will be on the red super soft tyres. They have

to run with the tyres they qualified on. Both Mercedes cars of

Schumacher and Rosberg, we are waiting to see what higher civil

start on because they have the option and they did not do any that

in qualifying, they simply went out and came back in so we will have a

quick look to see if Mercedes are doing anything differently as we

get ready to see them off on the final formation lap. They have gone

for super soft. Hulkenberg, we think, could be on soft tyres,

which is the harder of both compounds this weekend. That is

interesting, we will wait and see if we can get confirmation of that

when we see Mercedes coming forward. As we saw in the build-up, this is

arguably one of the most important laps. The last one crossing the

line is the most important. Why would Mercedes have tipped out of

qualifying and then chosen to start on a super soft, except for the

fact that that allows them afresh set of tyres for the start?

Definitely on this house. Hulkenberg is on the harder

compound. The cars are away from the grid, you get that scurry as

mechanics wash away from the grade with all those bits and pieces.

Let's talk to our man down in a scramble, Gary Anderson. Mercedes

not doing quite but be expected. They have gone for the same tyres

as those around them? Super soft but they can use that a new set.

They have another set left over. That is when the Superstock really

has that extra group. They would jump a few places on the first

couple of laps but I would have gone with two different strategies.

One of super soft and the other on soft. Then they have information

for each other. Some others have gone for the harder compound, Perez,

Kobayashi, Charles Pic and De la Rosa. There are some split

strategies. How many stops are be looking at, here? The fastest

solution is two stops but it is all about thermal degradation, the rear

tyres overheating. Few people know why and how that happens so we will

probably see three stops for most people. Three stops will be the

safest. We are hearing on the pit radio that Michael has got the

softer, more Loose Setting. He is getting information from his

engineers saying that once those rear tyres go away, he can tighten

that up and bring the rear axle up. I would like with the go-kart,

which has a fixed axle. The car's making their way around, there was

somewhat in not wanting to rush away too fast so they stay stacked.

Red Bull Racing, did not get any points last time at Monza. McLaren

have got a chance to close that gap in the constructors championship.

There are other battles, particularly between Williams and

Force India. Force in the 7th place in the constructors championship,

nine points ahead of Williams, who India have Paul di Resta in 6th

place, Hulkenberg possibly able to score points. Bruno Senna, he is

way down at the back. That is what was so exciting about this season.

Seven different manufacturers in the top 10. Smiles all round from

Williams. The cars during the final preparations and lining up on the

grid. Charlie Whiting, keeping that watchful eye to signal that they

are ready to go. There was a lot and getting ready for the start. He

has won this from pole position in the past, in 2009. But he has also

been involved in incidents, here. He tangled with Mark Webber a

couple of years ago and last year, he tangled with Felipe Massa. He

got a drive-through penalty for that. So much opportunity for

incidents around this track. We are certainly expecting the safety car

at some point. But will they all get through the first few corners

safely? Here we go, then. The lights out, away be go. Singapore!

Lewis Hamilton makes a good start and Pastor Maldonado going with him.

For cars abreast, Michael Schumacher, down the inside.

Sebastian Vettel going into second. Yes, he has grab second place. If

Nico Rosberg goes around the outside of Mark Webber. Somebody

touched the wall. Mark Webber and Rosberg both missed the corner.

Also going upside -- up the side of Paul di Resta. It was see if he

gained any advantage by missing turn number two. Jensen Button is

in third place. Pastor Maldonado drop into 4th place. Fernando

Alonso in 5th place. Mark Webber squeezing him out, Grosjean having

to go over the kerb. He has given a place up. He is back from that one-

race band for that incident and he is trying to stay out of trouble.

Should megastar to go front of him on the grid. On the dirty side.

With those new super soft tyres. They turn into Number 10. Riding

with Hulkenberg. 11th place for Nico Hulkenberg. As he chases after

notice. Kimi Raikkonen started down there with him so he looks as if he

might just have met the head. Fernando Alonso in 5th place, then

Grosjean and Rosberg. Hulkenberg. Perez right behind. Most of the

front-runners... BO, petrol, no front wing. He seems to be the only

victim of any damage on this opening lap. A but whereas that

front wing? Can the Marshal's recover that? Or will it cause any

issues? As this is very long, especially this first lap, Beth

Ospreys in... That would be awkward, if both Caterham cars tangled

across the line. It was Hamilton looking after his tyres. He will

not want to see Sebastian Vettel behind him. Mark Webber being

chased by Grosjean. But out, Petrov is into the pit lane. Felipe Massa

is right at the back. Something went wrong for Felipe Massa.

Hamilton Leeds, then Sebastian Vettel will love the fact he has

managed to get second place. Felipe Massa his way back, something must

have happened. Michael Schumacher being chased by Kimi Raikkonen.

can see the team from Cater and repairing that front wing. That was

a very slick stop. Felipe Massa, let us see if we can keep an eye on

what that issue is. They have gone straight from the super soft to the

soft tyres. There might have been some contact around that lap.

lucky. He started in 13th place and there are some incidents under

investigation. There might have been more but it looked like

Rosberg and Mark Webber where Offline going to turn number two.

The stewards will see if they gained any advantage by that. A

test to the Vic -- tends to be the case that they will take the view,

as long as there is no obvious advantage, but that was a normal

start, anything can happen. Better to have that than the cars coming

together. No safety car at the beginning. Despite the odd incident,

they have got away with it. They need to bump those curbs and

Singapore to get good lap times. They are all still pretty close

together. Bruno Senna a head of Kobayashi. That was a great start

from Paul di Resta. Fernando Alonso got bogged down, that allowed Mark

Webber and Grosjean to run this out. They had no option but to run wide.

Fernando Alonso is bogged down, that allows Mark Webber and

Grosjean and Michael Schumacher, he was trying to go down the inside

and that allowed Rosberg to come down the outside. He almost touches

with Mark Webber. It will be a very difficult card for the stewards --

call for the stewards. On board the Pastor Maldonado. That was a very

nice start, he was on a dirty side of the track. That would typically

cost some time. He runs wide, he runs deep in to turn number one and

that allows Sebastian Vettel to just nipped through. That was a

very cautious Pastor Maldonado. The Williams team this morning, on

board with Bruno Senna... Hooks that up nicely, releases Kers. Look

at that advantage. That was great action, he nearly was taken out by

Toro Rosso. In that incident, there was nothing that Bruno Senna could

do. And he ends up getting past... You can see that front when lying

on the exit of turn number three. He backed off, did not gain any

advantage, so he probably will not be penalised. Despite going off

track. It is all about any advantage. If you do not gain any

advantage, you will not be paid last. At the moment, Sebastian

Vettel is lighting up the timings. Second place. TEAM RADIO: That

number needs to be between 30 and 80. Talking about the settings on

the Lotus. No telemetry, that was the message. Ferrari suffered from

that. They were getting no information being fed back to the

engineers. It is down to the driver, slower than what they qualified. As

they get set in for what will be a long hard slog, Grosjean has a lot

of work to do. Going close to the two-hour mark, even if we don't get

a safety car. Peres is on a slightly different strategy. Peres

stormed through so impressively in mon Sa and has other racing

engineers scratching their heads as to how those tyres are looked after

so well. All the teams are worried and don't know how the rear tyres

are going to last. Gary, we got through the first few laps, they

haven't had a safety car though to help them cool the tyres, have

they? No, there's no advantage from that, obviously, in this part of

the race because if you could get the safety for the first couple of

laps, temperatures front to rear would settle. The car gets a better

balance, but right now they are having to have them from beginning.

TEAM RADIO: Cool the car if you can. Cool the car, that's a strange one

this far into the race. You would think tltd have cooled itself to

the right level -- it would have cooled itself. Nothing's settled

down yet. Once they start to settle down, wheel know what the pit stop

challenge will unfold like -- we'll know.

A quick lap from Hamilton this tieck, three tenths of a second

faster than Vettel. -- this time. Was that Katy Perry who will be

playing later on? Normally you need a special pass to be out on the pit

wall but if you have superstar status and 50 million followers on

Twitter, you can get up close there close to the action. Part of the

musical entertainment at Singapore this weekend. What's providing the

entertainment now is the racing. Hamilton has a lead over Vettel.

Button is still in third place. Maldonado in fourth, Alonso in

fifth. Di Resta and Webber as we look back from the Mercedes here of

Schumacher looking back at Raikkonen, Hulkenberg is behind,

then we've got Peres, Riccardo, Vergne and Kovalainen. Massa is

still running after the earlier puncture but he's running last.

Through that middle tricky chicane there. How much kerb you use there,

every lap, David, you have to judge it with such concentration, the

concentration is so total? It is indeed. The concentration that will

be dominating the drives' minds is how hard do I push at this stage on

these tyres. They obviously want to put pressure on the car in front

trying to force the mistake. It just fills the mirrors of the car

in front when you can just see the activity of the car behind.

Interesting fastest lap. Went for the soft tyre, did Massa, a new

set's obviously always beneficial, but a quick lap for Massa He's

running in clean air so he can see his track and cool his car properly.

We heard the message to Schumacher that he has to cool his engine

which started to build too much heat sitting on the grid. Any

running too close to the car in front is going to affect your brake

temperatures. We also heard on the car radio that we've got to be able

to hear that Hulkenberg's got to try and run. You can see running

behind Raikkonen who's trying to run in clear air. TEAM RADIO: We'll

need target lap. 16 more laps. Target lap 16 more laps. He's

switched to the other tyre. 16 more laps, they are looking at 18 or 19

on that set of the soft tyre. suggest they'll try and stop it

this afternoon having already come plaited one pit stop. Whilst I

talked over tf beginning of that message, Hulkenberg was running out

of the slipstream of the car in front with Raikkonen. You get fresh

air coming into your car that, is the upside. But you pick up the

rubber and debris that you see being thrown offline. Looking at

the times, first sector from Lewis Hamilton, although he's been going

quick up to now, suddenly remay be seeing a sign that the tyres are

beginning to go off? The last lap was four tenths of a second slower.

Let's see the lap time stabilising and see who drops off the most.

We'll keep a close eye on that on the top ten. With Rosberg and

Schumacher, didn't start with new tyres, they've bought three lap

newer tyres than the rest so they should last that little bit longer.

That's where the advantage will come from. Going to be able to lap

15 or 16. Webber in seventh place and you have to be patient at this

early stage. Confirmation that will will be no further action after the

cars running wide at the first corner. That is sensible. There was

a lot of avoiding incidents and if the triefrs tried to stay within

the apex, we would have had a saef safety car by now. Hulkenberg and

Peres on their soft tyre. They are saying Mercedes will start slowing

down. They are on the softer tyre but it only has a limited life on

this Singapore street track and it's measured in less than double

figures probably around this track and these guys on the yellow, the

harder of the two compounds could be in good shape, but getting past

is very difficult here. You need a huge advantage to actually be able

to overtake. We know from talking with the various engineers that you

have to be four or five seconds a lap faster to be able to complete

an overtake. There just isn't four or five seconds between the front

and the back of the grid except when someone hits the cliff in

terms of tyre performance. So contrasting strategies being played

out here in terms of the Mercedes trying to eke out as much as they

can, as is Raikkonen on the super soft. Hulkenberg and Peres behind

on the softer tyre, the yellow wall tyre who should be able to go

significantly further. Raikkonen. We join them on the exit of turn

ten where he ended his race last time he was here in the Ferrari.

He'll be a lot more cautious. They've changed the exit of the

chicane by removing the kerb that caught him out a couple of years

ago. Certainly had a good return to Formula One, Raikkonen, coming into

this race third in the Championship. Qualifying didn't go according to

plan but he's completed every lap so far this year. That's pretty

good. Not got into any trouble. Hasn't had any reliability problems

either. It's a remarkable comeback. Kimi breaks the mould in the way he

goes about his racing. He's not one for PR. He clearly is a fit man and

it appears he does enough to get him through a Grand Prix. I met a

couple who were his neighbours in Switzerland. TEAM RADIO: By far the

quickest pace, don't destroy it. Confirmation of doing a good job,

all is not lost. Going back to Kimi, having met his neighbours in

Switzerland, they say his lifestyle is definitely James Hunt-esque. He

breaks the mould in many ways, but lying third in the driver's

Championship. No-one's won a World Championship without at least one

victory. If he's going to win this year, he's got to be getting a

victory some time soon. Yes, never scored any points here in Singapore

in the past though, so he's going to try to correct that. 11th, just

outside the points. Webber's gone first in the first sector. He's

established a new quickest first sector. Interesting that. The

leaders haven't really dropped off their pace. Webber may be looking

after his tyres well. We are getting into that area where any

time over the next few laps is the point where they could run out of

their operating window. It's not the degradation, it's not the wear,

there's enough rubber but it's thermal that we have spoken about

on the Pirelli tyre and it's something that comes in, it could

come in if you are lucky. A misunderstanding there. Looked like

the door was left open. Could have cost them both a bit of time.

Senna's had a tough weekend. Puts him up into 16th place as you see

the leaders go through. Hamilton chased by Vettel. Button is six

seconds behind Hamilton. Pit lane action now. It's going to be Webber.

Yes, he is in. This is an early stop. They are going for it. Wonder

if they are going to go to plan a because it's late in the race, you

are going to have the problems with the tyres. A couple of laps now

makes such a difference way, way down the line at lap 58 or 59. The

lap time was his best lap so why bring him in now? They have a lot

more information to make decisions Replay of somebody having an

incident. The car's spinning through and into the wall goes one

of the that Russianians. I expect to see that come into the pits --

marussians. He missed the chicane. He'll get away with it as long as

he doesn't gain lap time. He would have felt the rear end move as he

went to turn in. We've also heard whilst Gary was talking to us there

that Hamilton's been told he's in the window so any time he wants,

that's clear that the McLaren team are ready to service his car. The

strategy I think is interesting around here this afternoon because

you can only use the previous information. It says you will get a

safety car this afternoon. So maybe they are not thinking this is a 61-

lap race, thinking of it as an average safety car round here.

after he slapped the wall yesterday but clearly they are having

problems with it. You can see, by the way, already a lot of rubber

beginning to biltd up offline. That can cause problems, not only if you

run over it, but if the bits of rubber get trapped in the slot gaps

in the front wings. That has happened to teams this year, hasn't

it? It's something that we are used to seeing the Ferrari mechanics get

a ruler and run it through the slot gaps. We should look out for that

with the other teams during the pit stops. Quite incredible to think

that they are able to do so many things during a stop under three

seconds. Just as we look at Sebastian Vettel there, chasing

down Lewis Hamilton, on board with Bruno Senna. Glock's dropped down

to 19th place. Total time in the pit was 28 seconds. Senna tucked in

behind Ricciardo. Vergne is ahead. Williams with greater pace than

Rosso. This is what we are talking about. You can have greater pace

but you need a lot more to overtake. Heading round, there is still

Sebastian Vettel. But the McLaren of Button, very much closer behind

him. Getting ready for a pit stop now. Looks like Vettel is in.

Sebastian Vettel. The harder of the two compound tyres going to go on

the car here and that rear grip suddenly went away from him. We saw

him have to miss the chicane. He struggled on that last lap. The

tyres gave up and he's into the pits for a tyre change and McLaren

seem to be in better shape looking after their tyres here in Singapore

than Red Bull do. Vettel now on his way again.

What's crucial now is, where does he drop in amongst the pack and if

he jumped into some clean air, then you will be able to run a fast out

lap and if you look at the bunch of cars, that's where Lewis Hamilton

will come out in amongst the group. This is not just a straight race of

car against car, this is having to get through the traffic. What have

you got for us, Gary? The last lap with Hamilton was 1.8 seconds

slower than his fastest lap. He's trying to get himself up through

the traffic. At the moment, he's running the risk of hasing a lot of

time to the guys around them. Button is only half a second away

from his fastest lap. Jenson is picking it up again. I expect

Jenson to come out on top. Vettel trying to fight his way through the

traffic. He's behind Peres and Vettel takes the place now. Will

Hamilton come in at the end of this lap? That's what we might expect. A

third of the lap to complete before we see whether he comes in. Vettel

gets through on the yellow-walled soft tyres. It's the harder of the

two compounds. If Jenson Button does another lap at least, this

will give him, as Gary said, the opportunity to jump Sebastian

Vettel who is losing time in amongst the traffic. Button's

definitely closed up to Hamilton a bit on this last lap. We'll check

that next time around. 4.5 seconds behind as they went past. Finished

last time around. Let's see now whether Hamilton is going to head

into the pits. I don't think he is. He's going to stay out there for at

the championship leader. He comes in from fifth-place. He wants to

try to avoid losing too many points today to the likes of Lewis

Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. It is the harder tyre. Mercedes also

getting ready. Michael Schumacher. Mercedes have gone a reasonable

distance on the super soft tyres. Fernando Alonso will have some

clean air. That will help them. Jenson Button gained a second on

Lewis Hamilton. RADIO: We have lost 0.3 in the first sector, and a

similar amount in the second sector. He has a funny feeling? Let's hope

that it is that tonight is going to be a good night. That was a funny

spark. But yes, Jenson Button still faster than Lewis Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel has got to try to cut through the traffic. He is

behind Kimi Raikkonen, so he has got past Nico Hulkenberg. All of

the men around him, their tyres are going off, so they are struggling

with a lack of grip. He is trying to make the most of it. He is going

to struggle to stay in front of Jenson Button. Lewis Hamilton is

coming in. McLaren are getting ready. Jenson Button will stay out

there. Jenson Button making good use of the tyres, with his smooth

driving style. It is interesting to see the contrast in styles of the

McLaren drivers, Lewis Hamilton is the manner able to get the maximum

out of it, more often than not. Let's see if McLaren can beat their

previous best pit-stop, which is 2.4 seconds. They got an award for

it. A very fast pit-stop by McLaren. Paul di Resta coming in behind.

Also, Nico Rosberg. 2.9 seconds, a very good pit-stop. That does them

well. He will be in clean air. is ahead of Sebastian Vettel, which

is crucial. He did not lose as much as I expected. The crucial thing

will be, where will Jenson Button come out? Sebastian Vettel will get

past Kimi Raikkonen on this lap, surely. He will have DRS. Such a

crucial opportunity for Sebastian Vettel. He needs to make the move.

He does it, no problem. The DRS reducing the drag and giving him

the extra kilometres an hour. Kimi Raikkonen staying out of trouble.

He is trying to go deeper into the race. The people that have stopped

already are more likely to have to do three stops. A straight forward

overtake. Kimi Raikkonen does not even try to put up a fight. Pastor

Maldonado is closing the gap to Jenson Button. He was only 2.7

seconds behind on that last lap. Have we reached the point where

Jenson Button might end up being under pressure from Pastor

Maldonado? Looking at the middle sector again, it looks like Pastor

Maldonado is a bit quicker again. A great battle between millions --

Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. battle between Paul di Resta and

Mark Webber for tenth place. They have both been into the pits.

Pastor Maldonado is in. He was in second place. Jenson Button is

still out there, he is doing a good job. He got a personal best in the

middle sector, his tyres are last been better than expected. Pastor

Maldonado ought to be able to just have two stops, if he can keep it

altogether. People come out behind Nico Hulkenberg but just in front

of the battle with Sergio Perez in the Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen is in.

More activity, will Jenson Button be able to get another lap out of

this? The letters is not quite as quick as McLaren. -- Lotus. The

target is to get below three seconds. Jenson Button will be

coming in at the end of the lap. The fastest lap for Sebastian

Vettel. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Battle of putting in

quick laps under a new tyres. Gary Anderson, what are you thinking?

For Jenson Button, he is a bit slower, 0.2 seconds off his fastest

lap. Jenson Button is looking at the long game. The last five to 10

laps will be important. It has gone five laps longer than Sebastian

Vettel did on this first set of tyres, which will stand him in good

stead. RADIO: We can still stay out for a bit. Felipe Massa is in 23rd

place after picking up a puncture on the first lap. Jenson Button is

in. He had been in delayed. Fernando Alonso is trying to get

past Sergio Perez. Can McLaren turn Jenson Button around as quickly?

That was not quite as fast. There seemed to be a bit of a delay. Will

he be in front of Lewis Hamilton? He lost over one second on that

stop. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have crossed the finish line,

so he has not made as much progress as I expected. He comes back out

into third place. Nico Hulkenberg has got in front of Pastor

Maldonado. He has not been in, remember. He has stayed out. Sergio

Perez has not been in. He is being chased by Fernando Alonso. Pastor

Maldonado daring sideways as he tries to get around the outside of

Nico Hulkenberg. Did he make the corner? He kept the position, but

the amount of carbon dust, he went deep into the corner, I can only

imagine that the car bottomed out, which is why he had the sudden kick

sideways. The DRS was opened, it sheds 100 kilograms of load. It is

as if the steering gets heavier. The rear has been lifted up, taking

away the feeling of grip and security. But he made it stick.

Sergio Perez still fending off Fernando Alonso. He is still on his

first set of tyres, like Nico Hulkenberg. No chance to defend

against Fernando Alonso, he has got more grip available. Returning the

favour for a couple of weeks ago in Italy, where Sergio Perez grabbed

second place towards the end. spins up the rear tyres, 170 mph.

That is one of the down sides of DRS, if you have it like that. That

will be part of the discussion in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

Look at how close it lost. A great catch from Kamui Kobayashi. This is

a replay of Fernando Alonso on Sergio Perez. He will have saved up

his KERS, and he releases it. Anybody who would like to think

Sergio Perez has been signed already, he was not thinking about

his future team, if he has. He has got his eye on this afternoon,

which is what we want. RADIO: Beautiful! He got a congratulations

from his race engineer. Lewis Hamilton still leads. The gap

between him and Sebastian Vettel is much as it was before the first pit

stops, 1.5 seconds. Crucially, Sebastian Vettel is taking it 0.3

seconds out of Lewis Hamilton on this first sector. It looks like

Sebastian Vettel is getting more comfortable now he has burned off

some fuel. He will burn 2.2 to 2.3 kilos per lap. 10 kilos can cost

you 0.4 seconds. The cars are becoming more responsive. A bit

more forgiving in the braking stones. Still fairly lumbering in

comparison to when they would have driven the cars in qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton was 1:46 in qualifying, they are doing 1:55 at

the moment. Fernando Alonso has caught Nico Hulkenberg. Nico

Hulkenberg has not stopped yet, he is trying to go deep into the race.

He is doing a good job so far, Nico Hulkenberg. He was disappointed

yesterday, he felt the team have not helped him. But he is

responding with a solid drive so far. But he is giving up a lot of

grit to the car behind. When he does pit, it will taking 30 seconds

down the grid. Paul di Resta has pitted already. Nico Hulkenberg

will probably come back out in around 15th place. Fernando Alonso

stays on the racing line. Nico Hulkenberg does not put up much

resistance. He is running one second a lap slower. Paul di Resta

is not far behind Nico Hulkenberg, even though he has made a pit stop.

It shows the different strategies in Force India. Paul di Resta has a

good chance of scoring good points. He qualified well. Nico Hulkenberg

and Sergio Perez have not been into the pits. Lewis Hamilton

maintaining the GAP, 1.3 seconds, over Sebastian Vettel. 3.7 seconds

to 40 per place. Charles Pic has made a pit stop. We are on

different tyres for Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, from the ones

they started on. On the soft tyre, Sebastian Vettel has got a bit more

speed. He is piling the pressure on slowly. Paul di Resta is ahead of

Sergio Perez. He has managed to gain the place. Sergio Perez's and

Wales have done 19 laps. A big slide. The rear tyres did not have

the grip for Sergio Perez. difficult situation. Nico

Hulkenberg is running a couple of seconds slower than Paul di Resta.

Mark Webber goes up the inside. Sergio Perez cannot do anything to

defend her. The difficult situation that forced India have, Paul di

Resta has stopped already come up on fresher tyres, so to maximise

their potential, they will have to ask Nico Hulkenberg to not make it

difficult for his team-mate to get past. That takes away the battle

between the team mates. Sergio Perez locking up and thinking

against getting through the chicane. He goes the wrong way around.

is where he gave up the place to Paul di Resta, probably. He might

have given up the place? Paul di Resta came past him fairly soon

afterwards. Paul di Resta gets a better drive there, and Sergio

Perez struggled with the tyres. A mature decision from Force India.

Nico Hulkenberg, that is a sign of a true team player. He is making a

good job of going a long way on these tyres. He is maximising the

team's opportunity to score points. Team orders are allowed. We are

coming up for one-third distance. This is a long race. They have to

keep focused and concentrated. Nico Hulkenberg has managed to get to

lap 19 before making his pit stop. He can do it on to the Chris Stops.

Will this work for him in the latter stages? It is interesting

how he and Sergio Perez have gone the same distance. In comes Nico

Hulkenberg. Sergio Perez will slot thinks that might give them this

afternoon. Gary, based on the number of laps they did there, does

that allow us to think ahead to what the leaders might be doing?

would say Jenson Button came in at lap 15 so he's not going to try to

eke that out to a two-stop race. Hulkenberg and Perez are looking at

a two stop. Lewis Hamilton... He is pulling them in. Big decisions to

make pretty soon. Ron Denis famously tossed a coin, over a

million dollars either way on Ayrton Senna's contract back in

those days so they are certainly not against tossing the coin and

making brave decisions. That's right. I'm sure they'll study lots

of data as well before they decide on Lewis's car. It's Hamilton and

Vettel evenly matched. One thing to remember though, watch Ricciardo,

the young Australian doing a fine job at the moment in the Rosso.

He's down in 16th place but keeping off the wall, that's the key thing.

Being the car in front, we always see it as an advantage. It does

allow you to manage your tyres easily than the guy behind? You are

running in clean air and you have the confidence of knowing that you

knead to be four seconds faster presuming you don't get into the

DRS zone. A huge amount of advantage to be the car in front.

If you can play strategic and know where to go fast to break the tour

for the DRS. You control the pace here easier than on some other

tracks where overtaking opportunities are a lot more open.

Lovely view down over the corner there. The streets of Singapore

closed off for the weekend providing the backdrop for an Super

Leagueing race here. Hamilton loves this track but is being chased by

the guy that won here last year, Vettel, who put in a brilliant

display. Into the pits has come the Ferrari of Massa. Alonso going

quite well meanwhile. He was quicker on that last lap than most

of the leaders around him. But he's got nearly a five second gap to

make up an Maldonado. We are on board here with Raikkonen.

yourselves in the mind of the driver, they have been out here now

for 20-odd minutes now. Can you imagine sit thrg knowing you have

another hour-and-a-half to go -- sitting there. The Lotus car

sometimes comes alive on a certain tyre, staims it doesn't work on one

of the compounds -- sometimes. We might see that once again.

Schumacher being chased down. People have made their pit stops.

TEAM RADIO: Suggest jif magic. Thank you former say Indonesia for

coming up with some little expressions that then we can talk

about and I think we've had something else talking about a

magic paddle in the past so it's dif magic. Let's presume that's the

end setting for the dif so to avoid any issues of misunderstanding.

Raikkonen's fastest in the first, Hulkenberg in the second.

Hamilton's done a 56.6, so two seconds faster than the race leader

for Hulkenberg. He's on a newish tyre, I suppose. It shows you that

the tyres are going away fairly quickly. Schumacher, Raikkonen.

Neither scored points here before. We've got Alonso on a 5 flat, 1.6

seconds quicker than Lewis Hamilton so. It does seem as if there has

been either some traffic to have passed that we have not seen or

some other issue out front because the chasing pack are catching them.

Look at Senna's improvement compared to these guys. He's come

from a long way back. He started 22nd on the grid. He's showing

genuine pace. Maldonado showed it in qualifying. Senna had a horrible

time in qualifying hitting the wall. It's catching now, the likes of

Raikkonen and Schumacher trying to get into the top ten. Hulkenberg is

be better than red. He's not telling him he's on the prime tyre,

the soft tyre. That must be the grading system. Saying guys, I'm

getting to that point where I'm going to be on the radio screaming

red, red, red, and that'll be a pit stop coming up. On the last lap,

Alonso once again a 55-1 which compares to Lewis Hamilton on a 16-

1 so Alonso in fifth bringing the gap down to Hamilton to 11 seconds

and closing in a second a lap. He is down in fifth place still

watching the battle for tenth here between Schumacher and Kimi

Raikkonen with Bruno Senna. Not that far behind Senna. Sounds as

though he might be struggling a little bit for grip at this stage.

Perez is also going fast on his new tyres but he's all the way down in

16th position. We are on lap 22 so just over the third distance mark.

Keep an eye on those who'll be doing three stops. Massa is out of

sync with everyone else. Yes, he's a long way off. Probably a tall

order for him to pick up a point or so this afternoon. I wonder what is

going on inside the Head of Raikkonen, the world champion, of

course, one time, chasing Schumacher, seven times world

champion. He's known to be pretty handy. We see a replay here of a

cater ham being driven out by HRT. Hamilton's in trouble. He's lost

drive. Hamilton is out of the lead. He's in neutral. Look at the dash.

He's got a zero. He doesn't have a gear. Another failure to finish for

Hamilton by the looks of it! There's no gears getting selected.

His World Championship hopes are disappearing rapidly with that.

Lewis Hamilton shakes his head. He surely can't believe what's

happening here. It's a non-finish for McLaren when theyed to have a

certain amount of control here. I wouldn't say he was definitely

going to race but he was going to score good points, he was in front

of Alonso in fifth and this changes everything and now Vettel leads the

race with Button second, Maldonado third and Alonso catching in fourth.

Well, I can't believe it really, David. We saw Button fail the

finish last time out. We have seen Lewis. He was in that incident at

Spa a few races ago. What's been a purple patch is not being converted

into points. We haven't seen what led up to that but everything looks

intact on the outside, so a bit of smoke coming out the back there. A

pure mechanical failurement he's done everything right so far this

weekend, delivered when it really mattered in the last part of

qualifying. Look at the disappointment as he walks away.

Bet he goes back to the yellow crash helmet next time. Shaking his

head there. You've got to feel for Lewis Hamilton. Who knows what

would have happened later in the Grand Prix but... That is a

disConsulate figure walking away. Lewis Hamilton, no points from

Singapore. Let's just listen in one I think the clutch or

something's gone. You can see he's pulling the paddles. He's got a box

full of neutrals there as he hits the steering wheel in frustration.

Well... TEAM RADIO: Really sorry about that, we did everything we

could yesterday. We'll just have to look forward to the next one. Great

driving up until then. We did everything we could yesterday that,

tells us that that was a known issue within the McLaren team. You

can see the smoke coming out of the back of his car. Sebastian Vettel

comes around the corner. I have to tell you that when you see your

competitor have a problem, you know that's an opportunity for you. It's

happened to Sebastian Vettel. It happened to him last week, happened

to Button butt of course. So I suspect that we'll find out in

retrospect that McLaren did have an issue after qualifying and quite

rightly they tried to mask that and control that as best they could.

Unfamiliar voice talking to Lewis. It was Mark Temple who is

engineering Lewis this weekend. Andy Latham away on paternity leave

and Andy won't be happy watching this from home. No, I thought you

were going to say he was sayings "you can tell him, Higham not going

to Kell him!". Oh, but for Lewis Hamilton, not what he needed when

he was in such good form. This man now, Sebastian Vettel, as he comes

up to Petrov in the Caterham has the advantage of three seconds.

Button is in second. Maldonado and Williams. Locking up into turn one.

A lot of brake dust. We have seen that at previous Grand Prixs. Very

high brake ware around this circuit and Maldonado could be finding

himself getting marginal on brakeware later in the race as he's

been chased down here by Alonso. A long way to go in the Grand Prix

yet. As we commiserate the disappointment for Lewis Hamilton,

all is not lost. Still a Championship being fought over.

Gary, the brake dust we were seeing from the Williams which we have

seen a couple of times, should we be concerned about that? I would

imagine they have it under control. We see it there again. That the is

brakeware whenever the brakes get too hot, they get up to 900 degrees,

suddenly you have to abort and go across the kerb. It's about

changing the brake balance that little bit. The team need to be on

top of that. They'll be mon monitoring the brake ware.. You

have to save it now. Lewis Hamilton. What do you say? I mean what to you

say to him and what do they say to him? He looks incredibly composed

dealing with that. That's the mark of maturity that comes as you go

through your Grand Prix career. Some drivers tend to deal with the

disappointment and reality of what's happened because you can't

waste any energy on the past, you have to focus on the future. He'll

be keeping a close eye on his competitors now. Of course, these

drivers want to win fair and square out on the racetrack. Reliability

is part of the team game in Formula One. Alonso meanwhile desperately

trying to make up some ground here. If he can get past the back marker,

he's going to try and close that gap to Maldonado and he is going to

get past de la Rosa. No problem there. The fellow Spaniard not

causing any problems. De la Rosa, despite being experienced, has

never raced here in the past in we see the Williams team getting

ready for a stop. This is very much a three-stop territory here. We are

on lap 26. Still a long way to go. Senna is in.

Let's see what he can do here and make sure the guys get a good clean

stop under way. He was way down at the bang of the field at the start

of this race and he's started the race on the option, so yes, on the

supersoft. It's interesting that he's gone for the supersoft again.

Clearly feeling that the supersoft he's putting on will be a used set.

That means they've been through a heat cycle in qualifying. Sometimes

when you put a new set of tyres on, you get a peak of performance and

build up in temperature, then you see it drop off after that. You put

a heat cycle on your tire tyres, you can get more consistency.

There's been a lap spread difference. If you can just get the

supersoft to hang in there, that will be the tyre that will allow

you to explore the lap time and chase down whoever you're racing

against. It's Alonso coming out from behind the Caterham. A lot of

debris being thrown offline already. Little marbles coming off the tyres.

You don't really want to have to run off line anywhere because you

pick up the marbles on your tyre surface, you need to wait until you

have lateral load. Your contact patch is taken away from the Tarmac

and you feel like you are walking are slightly out of sequence. We

will see if anybody might be deciding to come in out of the

leaders. There is so much debris through the last corner there. If

you go off-line, you will be straight into the wall. It is the

only place where you see high lateral load. This is on board

with... Jean-Eric Vergne. It was a fairly straightforward overtake.

The DRS wide open. Running on to racing, they all roads. It is

always a challenge for these places to have a surface which is

acceptable for Grand Prix racing. The board than planned under the

chassis is skimming across the track surface. All of the heat

radiates into the carbon floor and into the seat of the driver. But

has been known that drivers have ended up with blisters on the

bottom. It is very much a standard, to go over the kerb. I love that

angle, you have to put the concrete barrier. It is brave. The drivers

cannot see the outside of their tyres, just the top of them. You

would think we would practise before the season, going through

cones to judge the width of your car. We never do that. RADIO:

Increase your speed, or else the temperature will drop out. That is

interesting. Nico Rosberg is in seventh place. They are polite way

of saying, go-faster! Pit are always trying to find different

ways! Sebastian Vettel leads the race, he has got a three. One-

second advantage over Jenson Button. Pastor Maldonado it is a further

few seconds behind. Fernando Alonso is in fourth place. Paul di Resta

is in a solid fifth-place, it is a Sergio Perez. Bruno Senna has just

set the fastest lap. Felipe Massa is still running. That was quick

braking. It is clear what his intention is. He gets a bit wide

with understeer. He is trying to hustle Daniel Ricciardo. He is

trying to force an error. They both have the same strategy. They are

binding over the kerbs. It looks as though most of the leaders are

hanging on to the grip reasonably well. RADIO: We are in the window.

That confirms again that Jenson Button is in the pit stop window.

It is over to the driver, as soon as he feels the tyres will hit the

cliff. Gary Anderson, let's get some thoughts from year. Mark

Webber is heading into the pit lane, they brought him in early initially,

so they have to come in earlier again. From here, it is definitely

down to keeping your fingers crossed that you can make it

without another stop. He has the super soft tyres. 32 laps to go. I

do not think they will make that, so he is committing to another stop.

Hopefully, he can pick up some places. If I were Jenson Button, he

is 0.3 seconds per lap faster than Sebastian Vettel, so do not go in

just yet. Be ready, though. The last five laps of the race will

count. This was Mark Webber coming in a moment ago. He ran wide on the

way into the pit lane. He got on top of the kerb. He pulled it back

across. That would have cost him a bit of time. The drivers have to

practise that. It is all taken into consideration. In his battle with

Nico Rosberg, that might have cost him a position. Kimi Raikkonen has

not found a way past Michael Schumacher. The old adversaries are

still running around together. All of them are trying to go a bit

deeper into this race, and perhaps just get through with one more stop.

But Mark Webber will have to come back in one more time. The red tyre

de not be able to do 32 laps. The yellow tyres... Into the pits,

Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso. The battle of the pit stops

here. This is for the mechanics' honour. The furore is out. What

will happen with Williams? They are struggling a bit, but he gets

released in front of Fernando Alonso. It was slower for billions.

4.2 seconds against 3.1 seconds, but he is in front. They have both

gone on to the yellow... No, Pastor Maldonado is on the super soft tyre.

It is likely that Pastor Maldonado will have to make another stop,

whereas Fernando Alonso will try to do half a race on this set of

tyres? He has got a brand new set of soft tyres on. He went from lap

12 to lap 30. The car has less fuel in it, so it will be easier on the

tyres. But there is no way you can make 30 laps on the super soft

tyres. Williams are going conservative, it is crucial for

them to score points, particularly in their battle with Force India.

Paul di Resta is going well, so perhaps that is what they are

thinking about. It makes it unlikely that, no matter how well

put up the Ferrari is, on a different tyre, he will be able to

hustle Pastor Maldonado. There is a tyre advantage, which will give

Pastor Maldonado a better time. He has got traffic, though. Romain

Grosjean following Nico Rosberg. This might play into Fernando

Alonso's hands. This is not good for billions if they have breakaway

issues. -- not good for Williams. This is the last thing they want,

to be running in the dirty air of the slower cars in front. They will

be hoping that Romain Grosjean and Nico Rosberg will come in any time

soon, so they can release some fresh air. Still some cars

travelling on the East Coast Parkway above the track. RADIO: You

might need to cut through some traffic, Nico Hulkenberg, Kimi

Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher ahead. It will not be easy, but

overtaking is difficult here. You have got to make the most of the

softer tyres. That is what Pastor Maldonado has got to do. He has got

to get past Romain Grosjean and Nico Rosberg ahead, and this is

helping Fernando Alonso. That will be a tall order for Mark Webber. It

has got to get past them and then get 29 seconds of the road to be

able to cover the fact that he has another pit-stop, or else he will

be behind them. Sebastian Vettel still leads. Fernando Alonso tucked

in behind Pastor Maldonado. He will have a go. Messy stuff, with an HRT.

Will Fernando Alonso follow- through? He does. Has he used up

his KERS? Has he got any left? At the slowest corner on the track.

Then you are in a group like this, how easy it is it to get caught out

by the way it slows up in front of your car is reduced, so when you

hit the brakes, it doesn't slow down as much. It's like taking

weight off the car. This is difficult for Alonso. Put yourself

inside an aircraft and going through the clouds, following

another aircraft, you know how that shakes the aircraft around, the

Grand Prix car doesn't shake around, but it loses its downforce across

past the hospitality areas. Great viewing in those first couple of

corners. We have got a tussle between this group. Pastor

Maldonado and Fernando Alonso. Pastor Maldonado got a great drive.

Although Fernando Alonso will have been in the activation zone, he

lost out a lot, and he missed an opportunity to potentially get in

front of Fernando at -- in front of Pastor Maldonado. It is difficult

to overtake. Fernando Alonso again getting very close to Pastor

Maldonado. Pastor Maldonado picks up the slipstream from the car in

front. That hurts, when your head banks of the head restraint. It is

just not form, but that is part of Formula One. Try to stay still

complain about that chicane. Sebastian Vettel has been making

Commons this weekend. Can he go close. I knew they would have to

squeeze in the braking zone. He will not be brave enough to go down

the inside. This is under the grandstand. This is great stuff,

though. Yes, but I have one hand across my face. You never know what

will happen. Pastor Maldonado sliding around, up to what's the

last corner. He just has a bit of breathing space. What is really

interesting, the super soft tyres on Pastor Maldonado's car, they are

not giving him the amount of grip we thought he would have.

safety car will come out. Narain Karthikeyan. This is perfect for

those guys going for two stops. That is beneath the grandstand. In

comes Kimi Raikkonen. The teams are trying to respond as quickly as

possible. Kimi Raikkonen dived into the pits, that was a good call. The

safety car is out, it will try to pick up Sebastian Vettel. Sebastian

Vettel is a long way around. Gary Anderson, the pit lane will start

to get quite busy. Yes, this is worth keeping an eye on. They will

come in as quickly as possible. Kimi Raikkonen might have lost

their place, but I am sure he will pick it back up. This is the

accident. RADIO: I hit the wall, something is broken. He turned into

the corner, the rear started to slide. It takes you on a wider line.

That is the unforgiving nature of a street circuit. The Marshalls have

stood there patiently all weekend, they felt the need to unleash some

fire extinguishers! In comes the race leader. I have to keep to a

certain speed as soon as the safety car is called, they cannot sprint

end. This will block him when he goes for his release. The Red Bull

lollipop man had to wait before releasing the Red Bull. He still

maintains the position. It cost him quite a bit of time. They had to

wait for the McLaren. It is a slow pit lane speed on a street circuit.

There is not quite the same sprint they'd used to be under safety car

conditions, because they have the regulation, as soon as the safety

car is called, you have to reduce your speed to a set level. You have

a lap Delta displayed on your dashboard. It is connected to

marshalling lights. They have to drive to a set Delta time. That

maintains the speed around the lap. It neutralises the race in some

respects. Pastor Maldonado has been in. Fernando Alonso has got past

Pastor Maldonado. Fernando Alonso they hope they can get to the end

with what he is already on. This was the stop for Sebastian Vettel.

The rules are that you cannot do an unsafe race and the McLaren car

comes in, here it is from Sebastien's point of view. The car

is down. Waits for the red light and a lollipop. So close. The

mechanics are so brave, you would not want to be the man closest to

the pit wall for any amount of money. We can draw breath and work

out what is going on because the safety car, of course, leading the

cars slowly as they gather up the remains of the HRT car. Sebastian

Vettel is a leader. Jenson Button in second place, then the lapped

car and they will be allowed and asked to move around to join the

back of the came once everybody has gathered but Fernando Alonso has

moved up to third place. He had already made his pit stop before

the safety car came out. That has moved 10 ahead of Pastor Maldonado.

Team radio we do not need the safety. -- TEAM RADIO: We do not

need the safety. They go to the grid with the heaviest fuel tank.

And they are now going to be allowed to relax. Risibly,

Sebastien is doing his utmost to bring these tyres up to temperature.

When you go for the restart, as it is a lot of suspension travel, the

control comes from the tyre and you will have the car banging on the

deck. Interesting message from Lotus. It is very difficult to

generate much heat. It is psychologically good, leading, but

it does nothing for the surface temperature. Fernando Alonso up to

third place. Hulkenberg is on a different strategy. I am not sure.

Then the have Mark Webber in 6th position, Perez in 7th then Rosberg,

Grosjean, Maldonado has got down to 10th place because of that stop but

it has counted against him, all of this, because the timing of the

safety car has hurt him. Hulkenberg will, I think, have to make another

stop? He went to soft tyres on his first pit-stop. The team thinks...

TEAM RADIO: We have a hydraulic problem. We will have to retire.

Another retirement. Pastor Maldonado with a hydraulic problem.

Williams, so desperate to get these points. He has either ignored that

message or he hopes they will change that message before he gets

to the pit-lane entry. It is running. Gary, they said and the

radio there was a hydraulic problem but the gearbox seems to be working

OK so that is slightly strange. these cars are driven by hydraulics.

The clutch, gearbox, everything. It must be something they can see in

the system that says they're losing fluid. They are bringing it back to

the garage rather than stopping it on the track because of the safety

car. We can see the replay. Narain Karthikeyan, full of commitment and

loses the rear. And then runs out of the road. This was De la Rosa,

his team-mate, by what happened here? The problem with the right

rear tyre. Look at the amount of dust. And certainly some pretty

impressive images in that heat and humidity. They are just dripping

out there. Mark Webber, the brake disc in to turn number one, a few

years ago. It does help having the safety car, it reduces the energy

and you can see the car passing on the left side. They are allowed to

overtake the cars in front, past the safety car, and Come around. It

is doubtful they can get round in time before the safety car has been

called in. It is, I think, a very Fir system. -- fair system. That

message would have been passed on to various drivers in front of

those cars. Nicky Stamford, that long-serving member of Williams.

Getting a message. They have both been there since the days that I

was a test driver in the early 1990s. Everything at the moment,

from our point of view and what we can see, is running OK. But clearly,

they are very worried about Pastor Maldonado. He is tense place at the

moment. We are just looking at the aftermath of the incident at turn

at number 18. Sticky rubber and skid marks. There have been a

number of cars in the support races and in the free practice that have

gone in there. There is always accident blackspots. Whether or

everyday roads or on the racetrack. And these are just the more

difficult corners, where if you make any mistake, there is no

margin for error. These cars evolve every lap. And the drivers do their