Lewis Hamilton continued on his merry way since the Summer break in F1 with a third straight win.
On a track that wasn’t meant to suit them, and didin’t look likely too after qualifying, the Mercedes team ended the race with two podium finishes and a very healthy extension in both championships.
It was all helped of course by the collision between Vettel, Verstappen, and Raikkonen where the three cars got tangled up in the start line mayhem.
Daniel Ricciardo put another qualifying session behind him where he was beaten by team mate Max Verstappen, to extract full potential from the car on race day.
After a few safety cars earlyish, the race eventually got processional, and all to Lewis Hamilton’s advantage.
But onto the entire race now, with our quick summary and the Good, Bad and Ugly of the race.
The Good, Bad and Ugly rundown was previously published, kindly mind you, by the Fox Sports Media Academy. We’ve used it to add up the overall GBU for the 2017 F1 season.
THE GOOD
LEWIS HAMILTON
They say sometimes it is better to be lucky than good, and whilst the Englishman is very, very good it doesn’t hurt to have a large dose of luck in the battle for a World Championship.
A good but not great start was more than enough as he was well placed after the start shenanigans to stay out of trouble and assume a lead, and in conditions where he thrives and arguably has no current peer in Formula 1.
His restarts from the Safety car, and great skills behind the wheel saw him run a trouble free race for most of the evening in Singapore, and he continued his tremendous run of results since the Summer break. He has not been beaten since the second half of the season resumed in Belgium with three straight wins in his Mercedes.
As a result of his wins, and the retirement of his main Championship rival Sebastian Vettel in this race, his lead of the World Championship extended to 28 points with 6 races remaining.
DANIEL RICCIARDO
The team must have been looking forward to this Grand Prix for a long time, and they certainly delivered throughout up until Saturday by setting the pace in all sessions except for Vettel stealing pole position. Daniel Ricciardo was mightily impressive on Friday, but once again was pipped by team mate Max Verstappen.
But like so many times in 2017 so far Daniel Ricciardo got all the luck as he was rewarded with a slightly tardy start, seeing his team mate, the two Ferraris, and a fast starting Fernando Alonso who had just overtaken him being cleaned up at the first corner.
After the dust had cleared he was a solid second behind Lewis Hamilton, although he didn’t have the ultimate speed to keep pace with the Mercedes driver, he always seemed to have enough in hand over Valtteri Bottas in third.
MERCEDES
The reigning champions headed into the weekend knowing they wouldn’t necessarily be the ultimate front runners, but their gap to Vettel and the Red Bulls in qualifying would have not gone down too well.
They got to save face in the race after most of their opposition took care of themselves, and extended the gap in both championships, with a dual podium finish.
CARLOS SAINZ
Started the weekend with the news he’ll be going on loan to Renault next year as part of the McLaren-Renault-Honda-Toro Rosso deal, which gives an upgrade on next year’s car, without moving away from the Red Bull wings.
His drive at Singapore was a very good one, taking full advantage for the carnage to be running a strong fourth after the second safety car, and his eventual 4th position and drive in the Toro Rosso showed why he is so highly rated.
SERGIO PEREZ
Doing what he always tends to do, taking full advantage of a chaotic race with another strong finish in 5th.
JOLYON PALMER
Confirmed as losing his Renault drive for 2018, and despite being a former GP2 champion, will struggle to find another seat.
After the first lap antics he was sixth, and quickly set about taking full advantage by disposing of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in the first opportunity after the safety car disappeared.
He ran as high as second briefly around the time of the pit stops, giving a brief highlight for what has been a very ordinary 2017 season so far. One that is likely to be his last. His 6th place finish was a nice ending to what was a pretty ordinary start to the Singapore Grand Prix.
WET WEATHER
Former F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone once suggested that F1 should install sprinklers into circuits around the world, and although that suggestion was never going to be implemented, you can’t argue that some water on the track makes for a much more exciting race.
The 2017 Singapore Grand Prix saw rain for the first time ever, throwing massive uncertainty into a race that usually doesn’t need too many variables.
NEW SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX DEAL
Amongst all the deals announced off the track this weekend was the confirmation that the Singapore Grand Prix would continue for another four years until 2021.
It is great news for the street circuit under lights, as it is a great event, and one that often provides plenty of action.
THE BAD
MAX VERSTAPPEN
Once again the young Dutch F1 ace got the worst of the Red Bull luck as he was wiped out a few hundred metres from the start in a Ferrari sandwich.
It comes after he once again out qualified his more experienced team mate Daniel Ricciardo, but as ever in 2017 the Australian got all the luck comes race day.
One wonders what he could do if he can get some luck and stay out of trouble on race days in 2018.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL
What a Pole lap from the German. Just when it looked like Pole position was a Red Bull certainty after their pace all weekend, the Ferrari driver pulled out one of his finest efforts to sit at the front of the grid for the race.
That means absolutely nothing though if you can’t get through the first lap without an accident. Worse still, the Red Bull-Ferrari squabble saw his main title rival Lewis Hamilton gifted the lead on a track where they had been third best up to that point.
The extended championship lead to Hamilton also hurts as he is now more than a race win bounty of 25 points behind Hamilton with six races to go.
FERNANDO ALONSO
Free from the stress of deciding next year’s engine deal, the McLaren team including both drivers showed what the McLaren car can really do on the streets of Singapore. The orange Honda powered cars were 4th and 5th in the P3 session heading into qualifying and maintained their great form by ending up 8th and 9th on the grid, behind only the big three teams and qualifying specialist Nico Hulkenberg from Renault.
The race though brought no joy, as Alonso was punished for a brilliant start by getting caught up in the second phase of the Verstappen-Raikkonen crash. Somehow the car kept going after being smashed in the left side as he turned into the first corner, but not for long as the Spaniard retired on lap 10, not surprisingly with a gaping hole in the side of his car.
Whilst there has been many disappointments and retirements for Alonso and the McLaren Honda team in 2017, this exit must be particularly painful as it was a great opportunity for the team to feature at the front of the race for a change.
KIMI RAIKKONEN
Yet another disappointing weekend, where he was behind his team mate Vettel in pure pace, and wasted an excellent start off the wet grid by getting caught up with Vettel and Verstappen.
WILLIAMS
One wonders how things at Williams have got as bad as they have. They have been competitive in the first half of the season with surprising results and drives from the un-retired Felipe Massa and rookie Lance Stroll. But William have now missed getting out of Q1 with either car for four of the last six races, all with a Mercedes engine that is propelling the front runners.
With a wet race and some front runners removed, there was an opportunity to take advantage, but Williams did not really and finished 8th and 11th after staying in front of only the Saubers for the majority of the race. But the drop off in pace must be concerning.
Rumours circulating about Robert Kubica at Williams could be jut the solution they need for 2018.
MARCUS ERICSSON
His spin brought out the third safety car as he his car was parked dangerously across the bridge section of the street circuit, whilst running at the back of the field.
You could argue that he has made little impact in Formula 1 since his debut, and with rumours that Ferrari want to install two of their junior drivers in the Swiss based team in 2018, the Swede may be on borrowed time in Formula 1.
DANI KVYAT
He spun during the race, and almost blocked the track on the Bridge section. With at least one Red Bull driver going (Sainz) could they be forced to action a double change.
THE UGLY
NICO HULKENBERG
The Renault driver picked up an unwanted record after missing out on a podium in the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix, as he has now started the most of amount of Grands Prix without reaching the podium. A shame to pick up such a record, but few can deny his ability and speed, if not his race craft and luck when it counts most.
But his qualifying and race performance continues to be strong, and he was set for a 4th place finish in the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix until he needed a long pit stop during the third safety care period to fix a small issue with his Renault. He eventually retired 12 minutes shy of the chequered flag, and it was not really a fair reward after a great drive and the team missed out on a big bunch of points that were on offer.
KEVIN MAGNUSSEN
Drives like a bit of a jerk, and looked he was capable of running into anyone in the midfield scraps. Thankfully it was limited to only minor wheel banging, but he is far from Mr Popular on the grid.
FIRST LAP CRASH
Many probably secretly wish for a little first corner action, seeing three of the top six chances being wiped out was a bit of shame as it would have been great to see a full race battle including Vettel, Raikkonen and Verstappen.
One would hope that it could possibly lead to drivers being more circumspect from the grid and stop the giant swerve across other drivers on the run down to the first corner. But it won’t.
MARTINI-CHAVES MEDAL FOR GURGLER BEST/WORST OF THE YEAR
Here is where we tally up all the good, bad and ugly for the season.
- 1 Point for Good
- 1 Point for Bad
-0.5 for Ugly
There are bonus points as below. Drivers/Teams listed below have received a good and/or bad-ugly. Those with an overall score of 0 have had good and bad. Those not listed have been mediocre and been neither good or bad all season.
ULTIMATE WINNERS AND LOSERS
Here’s where an extra bonus point is added and subtracted for the very best and very worst.
WINNER – Lewis Hamilton. Again. Has to be after dominating a race he never looked like winning in the dry and without the from three wiping themselves out.
LOSER – 1/2 point each for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen
2017 MARTINI-CHAVES MEDAL FOR GURGLER BEST/WORST OF THE YEAR
DRIVERS
9.5 Points – Lewis Hamilton
6.5 Points – Valtteri Bottas
4.5 Points – Dan Ricciardo
4 Points – Sebastian Vettel
3.5 Points – Fernando Alonso
3 Points – Sergio Perez
3 Points – Felipe Massa
2.5 Point – Carlos Sainz
2.5 Point – Lance Stroll
1.5 Points – Nico Hulkenberg
1 Points – Kevin Magnusson
1 Point – Esteban Ocon
1 Point – Pascal Wehrlein
1 Point – Jenson Button
0 Points Romain Grosjean
-1 Point – Antonio Giovanazzi
-2 Points – Max Verstappen
-2 Points – Marcus Ericsson
-4 Points – Kimi Raikkonen
-4 Points – Dani Kvyat
-5.5 Points – Jolyon Palmer
TEAMS
4 Points – Mercedes
2 Points – Force India
1 Point – Ferrari
0 Points – Haas
-1 Point – Toro Rosso
-1.5 Points – FIA
-2 Points – Red Bull
-2 Points – Renault
-3.5 Points – Sauber
-5 Points – Williams
-6 Points – McLaren
FINAL THOUGHTS
THE LOVE TRIANGLE
The big off track news around the paddock was the multiple announcements for 2018.
In summary – McLaren are swapping their Honda engines for Renault engines, Toro Rosso are getting the Honda engines, and Carlos Sainz is moving from Toro Rosso to Renault on loan for 2018.
The big question is, who is the biggest/loser out of the deal, or is there one at all.
You would have to think that Carlos Sainz is a winner, getting out of the Toro Rosso for next year and a chance to try himself against the highly rated Nico Hulkenberg. And he is only going out on loan, so has the safety net of a potential Red Bull drive if that opportunity arises. Noises from both current Red Bull drivers means that may not be too unrealistic a scenario. Of course if Sainz’s reputation is destroyed by The Hulk, then he’ll end up the loser of the deal.
Toro Rosso could be winners, as it will be the first time they will have a works deal. Although if next year’s engine is as poor reliability and drivability wise, then a drop back down the grid awaits. And they have to work on slotting the new power unit to next year’s car which is probably well advanced. It also gives Toro Rosso the ability to bring through another young talent, and one 2016 GP2 Champion Pierre Gasly would be a tremendous addition to the F1 grid.
McLaren will think they are winners, and there is at least certainty about the Renault engine, if not complete outright pace, and after a long period of failures and underperformance anything will be better. And with the Renault engines confirmed it is likely to see them keep Fernando Alonso too which is a major plus. The big worry is whether they will regret their choice if the Honda suddenly becomes a world beater.
Of course the only stand out loser of the deal is Jolyon Palmer who is out of a drive for 2018. He has been unlucky in 2018, but it really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Two years without significant results is a long time in modern sport.
