Formula 1: Singapore GP Overview

Vettel wins under lights in Singapore

Quickly establishing itself as a stand-out round of the season, this year's Singapore Grand Prix was another chapter in the weaving narrative of the 2012 Formula One season. Ever changing and shifting, the race saw Sebastian Vettel end his longest win-drought since he first won in 2008 by virtue of a failed gearbox in Lewis Hamilton's McLaren.

Chaos at the first corner

For the third year running, Hamilton suffered a nightmare of a race in Singapore. Only this time, he did everything right. Starting the weekend off with a blinding pole lap, Hamilton managed to start the race cleaning and set about etching out a lead from a patiently waiting Sebastian Vettel. In the opening laps, the two of them were effectively in a class of their own, streaking away from the pack at a rapid rate. It seemed as though it was going to be a straight fight between the two young hotshots.

Just before mid-distance however, we were robbed a close fight between the two when Hamilton slowed with a gearbox issue. It was another dollop of bad luck for the 2008 World Champion, his third retirement in five races (and again, something he was completely unable to avoid). He'll be bemoaning the day he broke a mirror whilst walking under a ladder.

For Vettel, it was fortune's turn to smile upon him. Knocked out in Monza with an alternator failure whilst Hamilton won, for Vettel it must feel like poetic justice that the reverse occurred in Singapore. Whether or not he could have beaten Hamilton without him retiring remains to be seen. All we do know is that it would have been brilliant finding out.

One man who must also be thankful for his rivals' misfortune is Championship leader Fernando Alonso. Third place for Alonso is yet another solid drive for the Spaniard. His season so far has been pretty much bullet-proof (slight blip in Belgium aside). That Vettel and Hamilton see-saw between winning and retiring is helping Alonso out massively. With six races left, Alonso now leads Vettel by 29 points, just over a race win. It is a small gap in the scheme of things, especially given that Red Bull can be expected to be on form in Japan, Korea and India, tracks on which they have excelled in the past.

Lewis Hamilton's championship aspirations
took a blow in Singapore

For Lewis, the task is a lot trickier. 52 points back with 150 up for grabs. By no means impossible but by no means easy. He can't afford to finish off the podium again, let alone DNF. Also in the mix is Kimi Raikkonen. Steadily racking up the points, Kimi is a quiet contender. He finished sixth, behind Di Resta and Rosberg. It won't be enough to be consistent any more though for Kimi. Like Lewis, Kimi needs to go for the win at each and every round from here on in. Not easy considering the win has continued to elude him all season.

A mechanical issue for Maldonado on lap 41 was also a shame for the Venezuelan. Like Hamilton, he'd driven a great race to that point and didn't deserve to have the taken away from him. His run of nil points since Barcelona continues.

Di Resta drove a fantastic race to finish fourth. Sure, he benefited from those in front of him dropping out (Hamilton, Maldonado) but his pace was quick and consistent all race. It gives Force India vital points in their Constructor's duel with Sauber and Williams.

Grosjean's return to the grid was relatively low-key by his standards. A solid if unimpressive seventh was his reward for a quiet afternoon. Further back, Massa drove a good race from back in the pack to take eighth, likewise, Ricciardo did well to score more points for Toro Rosso after just missing out in Monza.

Mark Webber's slump in form continued. 16 points since Silverstone is crushing to his now practically non-existent Championship challenge. Whereas Hamilton has shown he has the pace to at least mount some form of comeback, Mark has continued on a downward spiral ever since winning in Silverstone, with no indication of an upturn in performance.

A big crash for Schumacher affirmed yet again his increasingly poor form this season. He may be beating Nico Rosberg on Saturday but as they say, there are no points for qualifying. Seven DNF's is an atrocious record for the seven-time champ. The only good thing to mention about his accident with Vergne was the admirable way in which the Frenchman handled the aftermath.

Marussia's Timo Glock finished 12th to promote the team above Caterham in the Constructors' Championship, dealing a blow to the boys in green and gold. Meanwhile, Sauber's afternoon was strangely subdued with neither Perez or Kobayashi able to finish in the points.

Onward then to Japan in two weeks time, a track that will most likely see another Red Bull vs. Mclaren showdown. Expect Vettel to take heart from Singapore and arrive in Suzuka buoyed with success.