Singapore Qualifying: Vettel plays the other record

It was a day on which we expected records to go. Some did go, but not those expected. Instead of longevity being established it was ended. Ended suddenly.

Sebastian Vettel ensured different records to
those expected were set today
Photo: Octane Photography

Lewis Hamilton did not equal Ayrton Senna's all-time mark for consecutive pole positions around Singapore's Marina Bay circuit today. Heck, not even Mercedes managed to match the Williams record for most poles on the bounce for a team. Instead the records that fell were on the flipside of these coins.

We got the first non-Mercedes powered pole since the final round of 2013 in Brazil. As well as the first not won by the works team since Austria last year.

And those records that did go were to do with the guy that took the pole instead and his team. Those being Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari. It's Seb's first pole since that very same Brazil 2013 round. While for Ferrari the drought was even longer - its first pole position in more than three years; its first in dry conditions in almost exactly five. Yet for both driver and squad it's a place they know well - for Vettel it's pole number 46; for Ferrari it's pole number 208.

While for the old pole master Seb it was just like old times. All precision and stunning commitment. He even showed his time-honoured swagger by ripping four tenths off his mark at the last even though pole was already his. The red cars have looked to be handling beautifully here, going exactly where their drivers want them to. And of the two Scuderia pilots Seb has simply been on another level. For all that the car has been good Seb had nearly eight tenths over his team mate Kimi Raikkonen in the final reckoning, and he had something like that over him for the most part.

Singapore Preview: Challenging the inevitable

We all know the one about the F1 calendar's gradual shift eastwards in the last decade or so. It hasn't been always loved either. Perhaps with good reason, as plenty of the new Grand Prix venues have failed to really capture the imagination. A recent fans' poll appeared to confirm as much.

The Singapore Grand Prix has rapidly become a fixture
Photo: Octane Photography

But there's one such latterly-established race that can hardly at all be considered a failure. Instead it is a favourite as well as was thought of as part of the furniture in double-quick time. And the race is this weekend; the Singapore Grand Prix around the Marina Bay circuit.

As for why this is, there are several reasons. But an overarching one is that it much about it all just seems very F1. Or rather very what F1 would like to be. It is a glittering, vibrant event in which the visuals rarely fail to look stunning. For several reasons, this one feels a lot like the Monaco for the new millennium.

Just like Monaco, Singapore is a city state that is a quintessential F1 host, to the point that you wonder at quiet moments quite why a Grand Prix wasn't established here decades ago. It is glamorous, dripping with money and gives the impression of tearing towards the future. Perhaps most importantly it never fails to fully embrace its F1 visit.

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Help, Red Bull Needs Energy

In this week’s episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and I try and solve Red Bull Racing's energy (engine) woes for 2016. With reigning World Champions Mercedes refusing to sell its engines to the former World Champions and with Renault's inability to produce competitive ones, is Ferrari its best option? (Read: Thank You Red Bull Racing)

Photo: Octane Photography

We also discuss why Mercedes seem wary to provide its engines to Red Bull Racing. Although, we strongly believe that Bernie Ecclestone should ensure that everyone gets Mercedes engines on the grid. (Read: Give Everyone Mercedes Engines)

Our previous episode 'Is Lewis Hamilton greater than Ayrton Senna?' ruffled a few feathers with fans and while clarifying our views we also tell you the half-truth that statistics reveal. (Read: What Formula One Can Learn From Red Bull)

Our focus in this week's episode has been on the 'ex-files' in Formula One and how teams and drivers are rekindling their romance with their exes in the Paddock. With this in mind, keeping links with Rihanna aside, should Lewis Hamilton rekindle his love interest in Nicole Scherzinger? (Read: Lewis Hamilton’s Bad Hair Days Are Here To Stay)

Lastly, we tell you that there might just be a Williams on the podium in the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix. But it might just not be who you think it is. Tune in! (Season 2015, Episode 31)

The Inside Line F1 Podcast is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula 1 podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook and on Google+.

Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah.

New Grand Prix Times article: Has Vettel finally converted his doubters?

Photo: Octane Photography

Sebastian Vettel has likely been modern F1's greatest conundrum. His records have been astonishing, both in their extent and in the unprecedented speed with which he's built them. But still he is a man and a driver who has persistently divided opinion; has been followed by an incessant band who reckon he's not all that.

In my latest article for Grand Prix Times I explore why some have felt this way, as well as outline why after his first two-thirds of a season at Ferrari after fleeing his Red Bull nest Vettel surely now, finally, has converted even his most obdurate doubters, both as a driver and man.

You can have a read of it via this link: http://www.grandprixtimes.com/news/display/10666

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Is Lewis Hamilton Greater Than Ayrton Senna?

Is Lewis Hamilton greater than Ayrton Senna? Should he win in Singapore, he could be so, at least statistically say Mithila and I in the latest episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Photo: Octane Photography

Can we officially label this as the Lewis Hamilton era? And we reveal our vested interests in his titles!

This week too, the FIA joined us in delivering humour to our listeners - we still can't get over the record 168 grid penalties! And thankfully, they didn't deliver to the Tifosi a dream result of a Ferrari victory via a post-race disqualification for Lewis Hamilton. After Pirelli-Ferrari saga in Spa, we almost had a Pirelli-Mercedes one in Monza. Will it be Pirelli-Red Bull Racing in Singapore?

We also discuss why Honda and Renault would be envious of Pirelli's position in the sport and if Bernie could save Lotus by funding them a few millions, we can’t decode the strange logic as to why he wouldn't be interested in saving the iconic circuit of Monza.

The 'luck of the number 2' struck Nico Rosberg, whose championship challenge (i.e. if he was in one) only got tougher. As for Kimi Raikkonen, we wonder what Ferrari's radio messages to him were for his delayed start that saw him go from P2 to P22!

Lastly, we have proof that F1 FANS LOVE DRS, hover over to our Facebook page and see it for yourself!

The Inside Line F1 Podcast is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula 1 podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook and on Google+.

Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah

(Image Courtesy: BBC)

Italian GP Report: Lewis sticks to the script

Really up until the point that the chequered flag fell had Lewis Hamilton been asked in advance to draft a script of how he'd like the Italian Grand Prix weekend to go it would not have deviated much from what he actually got.

Monza was almost too good to be true for Lewis Hamilton
Photo: Octane Photography 

He entered it with a clear lead - upwards of a race win - on the next guy in the points, his habitual coat tail grabber and team mate Nico Rosberg. He entered the weekend also on the crest of a confidence wave. Out of the car he was quiet; answering questions with economy. But the sheer assurance he radiated was undeniable. Indeed he later said as much.

"I woke up this morning and I felt super-strong" he said after the race. "Today I felt so strong; I felt like nothing could get in my way".

Quite. He looked the quickest thing out there by far from the earliest Friday practice running, in a very quick and upgraded Mercedes. Brixworth having happily gobbled up its remaining power unit development tokens for the year, which left the rest even more breathless than normal.

Italian Grand Prix review for Motor Verso - Almost too good to be true for Lewis

Photo: Octane Photography

Here is my latest race review for Motor Verso, this time for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last weekend.

It was a weekend on just about every level that appeared almost too good to be true for Lewis. And for a while - due to a threat from a highly unlikely source - it looked like it might actually be.

You can have a read of my thoughts on it all here: http://www.motorverso.com/italian-grand-prix-almost-too-good-to-be-true-for-lewis/

Do check out the Motor Verso site too; you'll find motoring news, car reviews and features - the team on the site carry out week-long test drives of the latest cars - as well as photos and videos of the machines.

Monza Qualifying: Everything changes but Lewis

Even in this most complex of sport's some things make absolute sense.

The quietly-content Lewis claimed yet another pole
Photo: Octane Photography

Lewis Hamilton's new hairstyle on show in Monza may be described as loud but everything else about him out of the car has been understated. His prose clipped to the point of paucity. His voice hushed. But his content with the quiet has been unmistakable.

He has by now more than a race win over his habitual nearest challenger team mate Nico Rosberg in the points table, and this weekend in Monza's royal park has been mere continuation. Looking the fastest thing out there in a very fast Mercedes - which has had another wind with gleeful consumption of its remaining engine development tokens for the year - from the moment a wheel was turned on Friday. Looking utterly in control and extremely quick. Sure enough he claimed an imperious and untroubled pole position for the Italian Grand Prix.

There were though a couple of deviations around him. Nico did appear for a time that he might play the role of irritant but Lewis then had some luck you suspect he didn't really need. Nico was required to abandon his upgraded engine for a rather long in the tooth old unit after problems in Saturday morning practice. That consigned him to proceed with anchors on, and down in the speed traps he could only salvage fourth on the grid.

Pirelli Pass The Blame On To FIA And Ferrari, by Kunal Shah

In the wake of Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg's tyre blowouts in Spa, I must give credit to Pirelli for being extremely professional in their investigations and suggestions thereof - or at least one suggestion. (Read: Formula One Is Cruel)

The Pirellis are once again under the microscope
Photo: Octane Photography

Unsurprisingly, Pirelli's self-investigation concluded that the FIA and Ferrari are to blame for Vettel's blowouts, not Pirelli themselves. Unless of course I have read and interpreted the report wrong! Pirelli claim that the failures at Spa were 'results of exceptional circumstances' of excessive tyre wear combined with the effect of debris on track. (Read: A Strategy Of Errors)

This means that Pirelli passed the blame on to Ferrari for their impressive one-stop strategy that almost saw Vettel on the podium and on to the FIA for not cleaning the track of debris effectively. In Rosberg's case too, they've been ambiguous at best indicating that track debris were to blame. There was no mention of Pirelli's tyre that could've supposedly lasted 40 laps but decided to blow into pieces on lap 28. (Read: Change Is The Name Of The Game For F1)

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Hamilton's Bad Hair Days Are Here To Stay

Lewis Hamilton has had a near flawless season or has he? In the latest episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal pick the one flaw that has dogged the reigning World Champion on the podium all season long. And as they look forward to Monza, they talk about McLaren's new excuses, Honda's engine comparison claims, the on-going Vettel-Pirelli saga and the support each camp has received, Lauda-Hamilton's bromance and offer a solution on how Lotus should settle Charles Pic's dues with the team. Lastly, they're kicked about Patrick Dempsey’s attempt to make a TV series on the 1961 World Championship. Tune in to know why you should be kicked too! (Season 2015, Episode 29)

Topics to look forward to in this episode:

• Bernie Ecclestone was the real hero in Spa and not Lewis Hamilton.
• Vettel-Pirelli saga, drivers side the driver, team owners side the tyre manufacturer, strange!
• Lauda-Hamilton – a one sided bromance?
• SPECIAL: After month's of observation, we pick Hamilton's biggest flaw of the 2015 Formula 1 Season
• Congratulations to Mrs. and Mr. Nico Rosberg, like Hamilton, he too has a new girl enter his life!
• On to Monza, can the Legend of the Monza be replaced? Will the Autodromo Nazionale Monza got the Istanbul Park way?
• Since it'll be Mercedes vs. No One, we wish to see a Lotus vs. Force India battle in Monza
• We offer Lotus a not-so-innovative solution to settle the Charles Pic contractual issue
• The 1961 World Championship to become a TV series. We're excited. And you should be too!
• Lastly, we pay our respects to Justin Wilson as he taught us in important lesson in his death

The Inside Line F1 Podcast is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula 1 podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook and on Google+.



Kunal has been writing on F1 for eight seasons, you can visit Kunal's website at: http://www.kunalsf1blog.com/.