Singapore GP: Pre Grand Prix updates

This year we could see a first night race in the wet. We have had two night races so far and a day-night race at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but none that were run under wet conditions. Raindrops glitter under lights (although not an issue when you aren't looking up) It would be interesting to see the issues faced by the drivers and the teams if that were to happen.

Lotus Racing are set to make a big announcement this week, most likely regarding their engine and transmissions partner for next year. Earlier Cosworth had announced that their deal with Lotus ends this year. With the reintroduction of KERS next year it could be a wise move on their side. Renault is seemingly the front runner at the moment.

Michael Schumacher was caught on camera driving a motorbike on the Sachsenring circuit. Although for it was for fun some might question the risk involved and seems to have attracted negavitve publicity for Schumacher. Some have even gone on to ask Mercedes about its :-) We say, leave the champion alone. Let him have his fun. Driving that motorbike is something many of us can only dream of.

Okay so were are back at another high downforce circuit. Marna Bay circuit characteristics is considered to be similar to Hungary and Monaco. Red Bull was ahead of the rest in those races while McLaren have struggled. McLaren however expect to be strong this time round. Ferrari expect to be strong too with a new updated diffuser floor and other aero improvements. Take out Ferrari's disappointment at Belgium and in the last four races they have upped their development efforts and the results have shown. Two wins and a second for Fernando Alonso and 5 podiums for Ferrari in the last four races.

This has been the closest championship in years. Each of the top five drives has a realistic chance at winning the championship. The points systems was changed to accommodate the larger grid and to award more for winning a race. A look at how the championship would have been if we were using the old system is below

1 Lewis Hamilton   75
2 Mark Webber      74
3 Jenson Button    67
4 Fernando Alonso  67
5 Sebastian Vettel 66

Hamilton would have been leading with the older system. One thinks that at the end of the year atleast one driver would be thinking that the old system should have been in place :-).

For the curious this link would give the updated standings after each race as per the old scoring system. http://www.nowf1.com/formula-1-2010-standings-old-points-system.html