Heikki Kovalainen made the Grand Prix of Singapore at the end once more exciting and put out his blazing Lotus itself
The air seemed to be already out of the Grand Prix of Singapore, as Heikki Kovalainen in the penultimate round again caused a drama. Because after a light touch with the Toro Rosso of Sebastien Buemi, he was suddenly slow – and in the last sector ignited the back of his Lotus!

Kovalainen not turned off the box, but drove over the finish line. However, he was not here for an additional round for the final result was as suspected at first: “I wanted to with such a car will not go into the pit lane, because that would put many people Instead, I saw a fireman at the start and finish and stayed. there are, “he describes the exciting incident.
Curious: Kovalainen rose calmly from the car that was burning brightly in the rear, and still had the overview, to make themselves rich on the pit wall by a Williams mechanic with a fire extinguisher so that it could even lend a hand! “Something always looks dramatic,” he grins. “The car is a bit damaged, but at least no one was injured. That’s the main thing.”
Given that reasoning, it is unlikely that the race stewards will issue a penalty against him. Usually, it is well known, not allowed to drive on with an obviously badly damaged car – especially not when the pit exit would be located on the road. But Kovalainen reasoning makes sense, because it was so actually less risky.

By the way: through the smoke on the finish line and the yellow flags came Sebastian Vettel in the last round again threatening close to leader Fernando Alonso. Alonso, however, kept a cool head and saved his second victory in Singapore over the distance.

Despite rubbishing the paddock rumours only hours earlier, Bernie Ecclestone has now admitted he is concerned the inaugural Korean grand prix might not take place next month.

Earlier in Singapore, the F1 chief executive said he and the FIA were “happy” with the Yeongam circuit, despite it not yet passing its final inspection that was originally due to take place weeks ago.

“It’s not good. It should have been inspected maybe six weeks ago,” he told BBC pundit Eddie Jordan during an interview on Sunday.

“It was inspected but it wasn’t passed,” added the Briton.

Ecclestone admitted that delaying the inspection so late – with it now set to take place after the forthcoming Japanese grand prix – was unusual for a new circuit.

The post-Suzuka inspection means F1′s freight will already be en route to Korea, while the travelling circus will have needed to book air fares and hotels.

“It’s quite dangerous what we’ve done actually but it’s a case of ‘do we cancel the race or not?’ They say it’s all going to be OK, so we hope they are right,” Ecclestone said.

In another interview on Sunday, Ecclestone told the Associated Press F1 will be “lucky” to avoid turning into a three-race dash to the Abu Dhabi finale.

“Until it’s on there’s always concerns, obviously,” he said when asked about Korea.

“We have to get lucky and hope it will happen.”

Bernie Ecclestone boosted the hopes of F1′s global television audience on Sunday by indicating the sport will be broadcast in high definition next year.

Earlier in 2010, despite the FOTA fan survey showing that 70 per cent of fans wanted HD broadcasts, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said 2011 was “too soon” for the introduction of the newer technology.

“I think we’ll be moving to high definition probably next year,” he told BBC pundit Eddie Jordan in Singapore on Sunday.

It is believed this year’s on-track action is being filmed in HD, although that feed is not yet offered to broadcasters.

Many sports have been broadcast in HD for years.

Because even Nico Hulkenberg has shortened a chicane was not punished for it, sets a Force India Adrian Sutil for protest
As expected, Force India Adrian Sutil, with respect to subsequent time penalty at the Grand Prix of Singapore officially announced to want to protest. The German had been full in the first round a chicane and was therefore punished with a retrospective time penalty of 20 seconds, threw it back from eighth to tenth place.

But because the racing line 60 laps had time to investigate the incident and to express even a penalty during the race, the Sutil could react strategically, Force India will not justify the verdict. It is doubtful whether any actual protest is successful.
Force India also calls for an investigation of an incident by Nico Hulkenberg. The Williams driver will have during the race, also abbreviated as a chicane, but conceded it no penalty. Sutil and his team feel this inconstancy unfair.

When a final decision will be made in the Cause is not yet certain.

Jenson Button loses world champion in the overall standings to fourth place in Singapore on the ground: “But it’s not over yet!”
McLaren is the big loser of the Singapore night. Silver Arrows, the British had to accept a pay freeze Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button made it with the MP4-25 just once in fourth. “It was not a loose race, but I had to do all the time pressure. It’s always sad when you give full throttle all the time and it still not enough for a podium finish,” said the reigning champion.

“At the beginning I have some spared the rear tires because we had noted on Friday that they do not keep so well. That gave me some help. In the final laps of the first stint I was therefore the gap on Lewis, because with him it looked like as if he had had problems with the tires, “said Button, who in the battle for third against Mark Webber had a chance.
“After the safety car period I was on the harder tire had problems with stability on the curves and output. I could not even keep up with the Red Bull, who had 30 laps on the tires on the clock,” reports the British McLaren on the issues. “This shows how fast the were and it shows that it was not an easy race for us.”

“The race was otherwise perfect for me, everything was simply not the pit stop was perfect -.. Probably the best all year, but the balance just does not fit,” said Button. “Our car was not as good here as expected. In qualifying we can get the best, but in the race it was really hard.”
“We hope so on the new parts of Japan. They were supposed to arrive in Singapore to the car, but it happened for reasons of reliability not. In Suzuka, we will hopefully have a competitive car,” says the 30-year-old. Positive the view is now ahead: “Suzuka should suit our car better to eat well for us, Singapore was the most difficult of the routes in the final stage..”

In the overall standings button is now only a fifth, 25 points behind leader Webber. “I’m still in the process,” the British fighting spirit. “Too bad that Mark Webber was able to land before us. But we are at points just from a racing game. It is up to the last race still everything is possible. I wish back the old points system. Then we could better see how close all lie together. ”

“You have to think positive but at this stage of the season,” said Button. “Lewis had today in the duel with Webber pitch. I do not know exactly what happened there. I have only seen that Webber has him forced out clearly. One bad race can be very cost much. My points of today are important, but actually would have to stand on the podium. “

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg drove a little off the Singapore spotlight on a strong fifth place, “More was not today”
While in the lit canyons of Singapore some incidents, especially the duel between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel were in focus, Nico Rosberg went almost unnoticed a strong Grand Prix. The 25-year-old took fifth in ten major points for Mercedes, Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, went away empty-handed.

“It was definitely a great race,” says Rosberg satisfied. “I had a great start, just as hoped I was able to keep pace at the start with Jenson, from behind made Kubica some pressure but that was not a big problem I have benefited from the fact that Lewis retired Fifth Place -…. Better it did not work today. ”
Start from seventh place to Rosberg worked relatively simply from the Singapore night. It’s always hard. While it was in previous times more exhausting, but it is always hard. That’s always the toughest race. Fortunately, I had in the last 30 laps no pressure. If I’d have to push to the end , then it would not have been easy. ”

“I had to save the brakes. I was in the end, brake problems, but others might be more,” says the native of Wiesbaden. “Mercedes has certainly made a little progress, but there is still immense.” In the overall standings, Rosberg after the Singapore weekend now 122 points. It is therefore only three points behind Felipe Massa.

The Singaporean government is yet to decide whether to extend its formula one race contract beyond 2012.

Earlier this weekend, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said he would be happy if the sport continued to return to the Asian city-state for another 20 years.

Singapore, which became F1′s first night race in 2008 with a five-year deal, has become a highlight of the annual calendar.

But senior minister of state S. Iswaran said on Sunday the government would need to weigh up the costs and benefits before making a decision about the future of the event.

“We want to make sure the economic benefits are justifiable going forward,” he told reporters at the Marina Bay circuit on Sunday night.

“I would say the decision to proceed will rest on a robust cost-benefit analysis, and clearly the terms on any deal we get going forward,” Iswaran added.

Local reports said the current deal includes a two-year option.

Mark Webber extended his championship lead to 11 points on Sunday night, despite finishing on the lowest step of the podium and colliding with Lewis Hamilton during a long and hot Singapore grand prix.

The Australian finished behind pole sitter and winner Fernando Alonso, as well as his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.

At the chequered flag just before the 2 hour time limit was up, Ferrari’s Spaniard and German Vettel were separated by just 3 tenths of a second.

But Vettel’s points gap to Webber, who was a further half minute behind the leading battle at the finish, is still more than 20 points.

Webber’s closest challenger is now Alonso, who has won the last two races from pole position in the resurgent Ferrari.

He leapfrogs Hamilton in the drivers’ standings, after the Briton retired for the second race in a row due to a collision.

This time his clash was with Webber, whose RB6 was sporting significant damage to its wheel and tyre in parc ferme after the race.

Hamilton’s MP4-25 came off worse, and he came close to writing off his title chances after retiring at mid-distance.

“Let’s just hope myself or Jenson can do it,” said the 2008 world champion, who remains five points ahead of teammate Jenson Button’s sister car.

“20 points is massive and with four races to go that is a big gap,” Hamilton told reporters.

Button confirmed: “There is everything to play for.”

The Singapore Grand Prix is not only because of the flood light is a challenge, despite the circuit allows the classification as a city circuit passing maneuvers – but there is room for error is not there. And so it was a long list of failure and numerous collisions, which sometimes ended in the barriers. Among others, it caught Lewis Hamilton, who had, as in Monza two weeks ago to accept a zero number.

A replay of Monza was also Fernando Alonso – secured the Ferrari driver to win in front of Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, who had no chance to get past the Spaniard. Behind Mark Webber came to the podium, the competition using an early tire change tactics obsolete.
In fourth place came Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) in front of Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Robert Kubica (Renault), Adrian Sutil (Force India), Nico Hulkenberg (Williams) and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) .

There was no points for, among other Michael Schumacher and Sebastien Buemi on numbers 13 and 14 Losses suffered Heikki Kovalainen, Timo Glock, Nick Heidfeld, Lewis Hamilton, Christian Klien, Kamui Kobayashi, Bruno Senna, Jarno Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi.

At the start of the race, Alonso was able to defend his lead and keep Vettel behind them, which in turn also caught a good start. Heidfeld was unlucky returnees, which damaged the front wing and come in the first round to the pits had to.

The order after the first lap: Alonso before Vettel, Hamilton, Button, Webber, Rosberg, Kubica, Barrichello and Schumacher in tenth place. Buemi 12th before Hülkenberg and Sutil. Glock 17th before Klien. Massa second last ahead of Heidfeld. Massa was already into the pits to switch to the hard tires.

Vitantonio Liuzzi for the race in the second round was to limit contact with the track running ahead of schedule. To rescue the Force India, the race director had in the third round of the safety car to send the route. Webber risked a pit stop – behind the Australians were also as good as all the pilots to stop.

The order of the stops after the release of the race on lap 5 before Vettel Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Rosberg, Kubica, Barrichello, Schumacher, Kobayashi and Glock in tenth place. Eleventh Webber, 13 Hülkenberg before Sutil, Massa and Buemi. Klien 21st before Senna and Heidfeld.

The next phase was Timo Glock – the competition of Sutil, Hülkenberg and Massa successfully for many laps behind – is not on the box was. Only in the 15th Round Sutil managed to pass the German opponents. A lap later Hulkenberg was on Virgin pilot over.

The distances to 20 of 61 laps, Alonso 3.2 seconds in front of Vettel, 14.4 ahead of Hamilton, 20.9 ahead of Button, Rosberg, 24.2, 28.0 before Kubica, 36.4 before Barrichello, 43.4 before Schumacher, 44.6 against Kobayashi, 58.6 before Sutil, 59.4 before Hulkenberg, before Massa 60.3. Buemi to 63.6 15th, 17th Glock (74.8) ahead of Heidfeld (77.4). Klien 21st with a lap behind.

Vettel brought before the tire change on Alonso during later McLaren-Mercedes lost a lot of time because the lap times were breaking. In round 29 Hamilton came to the stop – it would be enough time for Webber, despite the loss of rounds before? The former Formula 1 world champion did not manage to get back before the Red Bull drivers on the route.

One lap later came both Alonso and Vettel and Button to stop. On lap 31 Rosberg stopped followed by team-mate Schumacher. Previously, Schumacher and Kobayashi were in conflict, when the Japanese launched a pass him and the German is laterally turned away into a tire barrier.

In the 32th Lap had the race director again the safety car line to send the route after Kobayashi had crashed into a guardrail. Bruno Senna could not avoid everything and crashed with his HRT stranded in the Sauber. Team-mate Christian Klien had his car under the technical problems off at the box.

The order behind the safety car: Alonso before Vettel, Webber, Hamilton, Button, Rosberg, Kubica, Barrichello, Sutil and Hulkenberg tenth to the court. Eleventh Massa, Heidfeld and Schumacher before Buemi 14th Glock 19th In the 36th Round was released the race.

After the restart, Hamilton dared to attack Webber. It collided with two cars – Hamilton had to give up a claim on the suspension – the second zero point within two weeks.

In the 37th Schumacher limped round with a damaged front wing around the circuit – the Mercedes driver was previously collided with Heidfeld, who slid into the guard rail and had to stop the Sauber.

The distances after 40 laps: Alonso 1.4 seconds in front of Vettel, Webber, 9.7 to, 11.7 to Button, Rosberg 14.4 to, 15.3 to Kubica, 18.3 to Barrichello, Sutil and 24.3 to 25.0 to Hulkenberg in ninth place ahead of Massa (26.0). Buemi 12th (31.7), Schumacher 15th 89.5 before Glock (1 lap).

Lying on the seventh Robert Kubica had in the 46th Lap into the pits. In the 52 Round Timo Glock had his problems with Virgin park in the pits. Kubica, meanwhile, turned sharply on his fresh tires, passed Buemi first, then team-mate Petrov, Massa, Sutil and Hülkenberg.

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Norbert Haug has once again played down rumours of discord within the Mercedes GP camp.

Two weeks ago at Monza, speculation swept the Italian paddock that Michael Schumacher could follow team boss Ross Brawn out of the team at the end of 2010.

The rumours, hinting that the initial indications are that Mercedes could have another difficult season in 2011, claimed that Brawn and carmaker Mercedes-Benz’s motor sport chief Haug are at odds over the direction of the Brackley based team.

“We have full confidence in Ross,” Haug insisted in Singapore, according to Turun Sanomat newspaper.

“Work for the future is going well,” added the German.  “It is normal that rumours come and go.

“I’ve heard rumours about Michael, about me and about Ross.  When I say no, I mean no, and when I say yes, I mean yes.

“My answer is no; there are no cracks in the relationship,” insisted Haug.

He also insisted that the commitment of Mercedes-Benz and its parent Daimler is not wavering.

“The automotive industry has gone through a crisis, and several other manufacturers have left F1,” said Haug.

“Mercedes is committed to the future of this sport.  We do not yet have a winning team, but we are putting in the work to become a winning team,” he added.

As afternoon becomes evening in Singapore, the storm clouds are gathering above the city street circuit.

As the experience of the past week has shown, any significant rain from now until the race-start at 8pm is likely to guarantee a wet track for the grand prix.

“The track dries incredibly slowly,” observed Red Bull’s Mark Webber.  “It’s something I haven’t seen in my entire career.”

Until late afternoon on Sunday, the sun had been shining in the Asian city-state’s Marina Bay area.

But with three hours to go until race time, the skies have darkened, the wind is picking up, and there has been the odd drop of rain.

There is rain showing on the longer distance radar, but most paddock sources believe the race should be dry.

“If it does rain, the track will never dry out.  It takes so long,” agreed McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.

Nick Heidfeld shouldn’t feel down after being comprehensively outpaced by his teammate on his return to formula one, according to team boss Peter Sauber.

The German, who has been test driver with Mercedes and then Pirelli for most of 2010, was disappointed in Singapore on Saturday to significantly trail the pace of the Swiss team’s regular rookie Kamui Kobayashi.

Heidfeld, 33, was particularly unhappy with Saturday night’s result, having looked a match for Kobayashi under the artificial lights until the decisive knockout session.

But Sauber told Auto Motor und Sport: “We expected too much of him, and he expected too much from himself.

“He has been out for a year and didn’t know the car or the tyres, and Singapore is an extremely difficult track.  That explains the gap to Kamui, even if it is a second,” added Sauber’s founder and boss.

Heidfeld has also joined the ranks of drivers who do not instinctively enjoy Bridgestone’s 2011 generation of tyres.

“My first impression is that I got along better with last year’s tyres,” he said.

Sauber is quoted in Singapore by Germany’s Speed Week: “This weekend is for him to settle in so I will not judge him yet.”

With only four races to run after Sunday’s Singapore grand prix, Red Bull appears no closer to making championship leader Mark Webber its number 1 bet for the world championship.

The Australian, 24 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel, has struggled relative to his front row-sitting teammate in Singapore, qualifying three paces behind the sister RB6.

“We have two drivers competing for the world championship and we will continue supporting them until for one of them it is not mathematically and practically possible for them to win the championship,” team boss Christian Horner said in Singapore.

But Webber, 34, answered “yes” after a long pause when asked by British television BBC if he would accept preferred status for the balance of the season.

“For me it’s an unique opportunity that I might never get again,” he also said in an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

“But I can’t yet say ‘Hey Seb, let me have this opportunity because you might have the chance for another ten years or more’,” added Webber.

At the same time, he concedes that – despite some earlier ructions within the Austrian camp – Red Bull would be happy if he wins the title.

“It was rumoured that Helmut (Marko) would prefer Vettel, because they might have a closer relationship.  But he would be very happy if I won the world championship today,” the Australian insisted.

“If we did it, everyone would have a headache from the party, no matter which of us is champion.  The team situation is completely neutral,” added Webber.

He also played down rumours he is disaffected at Red Bull, revealing that when he decides to stop driving, he will probably continue to work with the energy drinks company.

“What Red Bull did when I broke my leg was impressive and I’ll never forget it,” he said.

“They backed me when I was totally in the shit.  Yes, maybe we can continue to do something together,” added Webber, who is under contract only until the end of 2011.

Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday insisted next month’s Korean grand prix will go ahead.

It has emerged that despite September 21 being the originally belated date for the Yeongam circuit’s final inspection, the FIA is not now expected to sign off the track until next week or even later.

A South Korean delegation is in Singapore this weekend, triggering the latest round of paddock rumours about whether the race will take place — including talk of a looming typhoon.

“We’re happy with the circuit at the moment,” F1 chief executive Ecclestone told the Korea Herald newspaper from Singapore.

He played down the rumours that the track will not be ready.

“I don’t take a lot of notice of rumours,” said the Briton, explaining the reasons for the delayed inspection.

“We waited for an obvious reason, because the weather’s been bad.  The federation (FIA) seems very happy with what’s happened, with everything that will happen,” he added.

Ecclestone also denied suggestions that FIA rules will prevent Korea from holding a race in 2011 if the inspection does not go well.

“We signed a contract,” he said.  “I can’t discuss this (outcome), because it’s going to happen.”

Ecclestone admitted that he does not expect a big crowd for October’s inaugural event.

“People are reading complete rubbish in papers that it is not going to happen, so I don’t estimate a big, big crowd,” explained the 79-year-old.

There are some interesting faces in the Singapore paddock this weekend.

One of them is Lesa Kennedy, a prominent NASCAR board member and vice chairwoman of the American series.

It is rumoured she is securing a supply of ECUs with McLaren Electronic Systems.  McLaren group chairman Ron Dennis is also in Singapore this weekend.

Kennedy also met with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, sparking rumours NASCAR could be put on the bill for the 2012 United States grand prix in Austin.

Also spotted in the Singapore paddock was Dmitry Kozak, Russia’s deputy prime minister, who met with F1 chief executive Ecclestone.

Other notable dignitaries in Singapore are Dr Naviachandra Ramgoolam, the prime minister or Mauritius, and Jacques Regis, formerly the president of French motor racing authority FFSA.