FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX: QUALIFYING *** SPOILERS ***

Sorry Vettel but here and at Monaco this is the gap you have to live with. Good luck tomorrow as what else is there to wish for you now lol. Im still amazed Ferrari have let this qualy slip up today.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/vettel-hamilton-gap-not-a-true-reflection/

--However, despite the big gap to his title rival, Vettel believes that they are much closer than it seems.

“Obviously, the gap if you look at it is a surprise but I don’t think it reflects the true performance,” Vettel said after qualifying.--

 

https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/15/second-on-grid-feels-like-victory-after-engine-issues-verstappen/

Apparently Max was .15 FASTER than elton at turn 16 before the engine did it's thing again...Frankly incredible.

 

Amazing. Lewis hasn’t this one in the bag yet with Young Max behind him. I hope for Max that Renault reliability is there tomorrow...

 

Hamilton’s lap was bonkers. Credit where credit is due. Max’s lap, and putting him on the front row, is possibly more impressive. Especially when compared to Ricci (adored here, but overrated IMO). I have faith for our ability to stay out longer on first stint. Just nervous about 1st lap and Max compromising our cars, instead of HAM’s. I’ll be tuned-in, volume maxed-out, and ready for whatever happens to the Scuderia!

 

I would say it's divided in 3 formula's:

-Formula Hamilton (and I am NOT a fan of his!)
-Rest of the best
-Rest

 

Credit where credit is due for Elton. Fantastic lap on a bit of a difficult track. Ferrari usually pics up pace on the race and Merc loses some. They can win this if 1. No dumb mistakes are made and 2. They get away clean from the start.

 

DISASTER!!!!!

Omg Ferrari fades at the exact time when they needed to not to.

Hamilton will win tomorrow for sure.

 

Nothing is over until it’s over. SC is a guarantee thing on this track. Many variables can take place. Let’s hope for the best.

 

When you're right, you're right.

 

Last year the championship was lost at the Singapore GP also...

 

Yeah... but this year it was lost in Germany. From then on Seb 's brain got infected. Though a great win at Spa!

 

When you are only left with needing luck to win, it's not what I call your best effort.

Once again Ferrari is fading in the last 1/3 of the season.

 

Radio messages during Q2:


To Vettel: OK box, Sebastian, box.

Vettel: What is your thinking?

To Vettel: We move to quali [hyper-soft tyre].

Vettel: I have lap time left.

To Vettel: How much?

Vettel: With a decent out-lap I would say at least half a second.

To Vettel: OK, copy.

Vettel: How much do you need? Then I can tell you.

To Vettel: 38.1. I think it’s not possible. And both Mercs on quali [hyper soft tyre] and Red Bull on quali [hyper soft tyre] as well.

Vettel: I can do it, a 38.1.

To Vettel: Understood. And box. So we believe is too tight so we go for quali [hyper soft tyre].

Vettel: I am happy to go option [ultra-soft tyre]. That was not a good lap. The out-lap was too slow. Tyres were too cold.

To Vettel: I’ll come back to you.

Vettel: If you believe there is strong merit to start on the option [ultra-soft tyre] I can do it.

To Vettel: No we go on quali [hyper-soft tyre]. The decision is to go on quali [hyper-soft tyre]. The decision is too risky.

Vettel: OK I follow you. I tell you I have more than half a second.

To Vettel: Understood.

 

I think Martin Brundle has it right: part of Seb’s struggles come from his lack of faith in the team. Listening to his radio, we hear him chiding the team’s strategy for out laps, questioning the tire choice / strategy for qualifying, and generally worrying about team operations.

With all that on his mind - with all those worries - it’s no wonder he isn’t driving well.

 

Perhaps the Red Bull will get a good start and we'll have some Max Factor into Turn 1

 

Yeah i am hoping that, for once, Max screws a Mercedes' race rather than a Ferrari's.

 

Mercedes and Lewis are under damage control and risk assessment when Max is starting P2. This is'nt there first time next to each other.

 

I'm beginning to understand Ferrari's strategy now.

Let Hamilton have a lap of his lifetime and then let Max come in second. In the first corner Max takes out Hami and Vettel wins!

 

The problem is, Hamilton isn't mistake prone like Vettel...

 

Lot of truth in that. Ferrari is a totally different atmosphere than Red Bull. At Red Bull everything is level headed. Sudden double stack pitstop, just 2 corners from pit entry? No problem. Need another lap in changing weather conditions during quali? Lets take a couple of seconds to decide. Do they have their mistakes? Of course, all teams do. But far fewer.

At Ferrari, even when everything goes according to plan spaghetti flies all over the place and someone accidentally replaced the tyre with a pizza cutter. Ferrari is still stuck in 1985.

 

But the way it will play out is the Vettel will take out himself and Max in turn 1. Seems to be Seb's MO. Kimi will pass Bottas and finish 2nd behind Ham.

 

Teutonic efficiency vs. Italian passion. lol

 

The points are handed out on Sunday ,all is not lost yet!

IF Vettel has any sense he should just tuck in behind Lewis/Max for the first few corners then watch out for the fireworks ahead.

Again it will be all about SC/VSC/Strategy, IF the pit wall don't screw up Vettel still has a chance ,unless he screws up,erm, again..

 

Maybe their dietitian should recommend...

and the Ferrari crew will need this for breakfast..
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Alboreto finished 2nd to Prost. Yea, about the same.