Singapore tram firm strike back at Red Bull

The company responsible for Singapore’s tram network has refuted suggestions that one of their vehicles forced Mark Webber out of the Singapore Grand Prix. Red Bull had suggested that the transmission problem which messed up the Australian’s gears at Turn 13 had been caused by static electricity from a nearby tram. But Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit have - after a strange delay - denied that his was the case.

“There is no MRT track beneath Turn 13,” an SMRT official said, possibly whilst giving the Vs. “The nearest MRT tunnel is about 200 metres away with a depth of about ten metres. And train wheels and running wheels do not generate static electricity.”

Spotted on Forumula1.net

Camber not averse to throwing F1 cars into barriers

No, it is not a nasty tropical disease. The Singapore bumps are in fact the road surface at Turn 18 of the street circuit. The bumps claimed several victims in the first practice session alone, so expect them to be a factor throughout the weekend. The first driver to underestimate the power of the bumps was Red Bull’s Mark Webber who suffered a knackered suspension when the bumps threw him off course and into one of the water-filled barriers at the turn.

Toyota’s Jarno Trulli found himself driving down an escape road after the same bumps threw him off his chosen line, and Renault’s Nelson Piquet also ended up in a run-off area at the same turn. There were similar incidents elsewhere on the track as David Coulthard spun his Red Bull in Turn 14 and Adrian Sutil got his Force India into a bit of a mess at the chicane.

Do not underestimate the power of the Singapore bumps.

Whiting orders changes to high kurbs

Chicanes are once again Formula One’s main talking point ahead of a practice session on the Singapore track this afternoon. F1 race director Charlie Whiting ordered alterations to be made after a series of complaints from drivers about the high kerbs on turn 10 of the circuit. Ironically, the kerbs had been deliberately been built high to discourage drivers from cutting the corner.

But drivers including Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button expressed concern that even accidentally hitting the kerbs would damage the cars. “We worry that if we miss the chicane you miss the line and have to go over the curves. It could damage the chassis or the damage the car at the bottom,” said Alonso. “It is a concern at the moment but I don’t know what is a better solution and I don’t know if they are able to do it quickly.” 

F1 team face unexpected threat

Mechanics and engineers at BMW-Sauber had to evacuate their paddock following a bomb scare last night. The Swiss newspaper Blick reports that the team had to put its preparations for the Singapore Grand Prix on hold at around 9pm last night after reports of a bomb threat to their pits.

The team returned to work shortly afterwards once the area had been checked by police.

Our pals at RedBulletin with the news and track lowdown

Red Bull racer doesn’t know where his next meal is coming from

It is a hard life being an F1 driver. Poor old David Coulthard, expert Red Bull crasher, has revealed he is struggling to eat while preparing to race in Singapore. The soon-to-be-retired Scot is struggling to find a square meal.

“I have a personal appearance scheduled for midnight, which would never happen in Europe, and it has been difficult finding a decent meal at three in the morning,” said hard-up Coulthard. “I don’t want to spend a whole week living on room service.” Of course not. A whole week of room service? Heaven forbid.

Did he say an unusual public appearance at midnight? 2+2=…5

Brilliant behind the wheel but petrified of pincers

Just look at the sheer panic on the face of Torro Rosso driver Sebastian Vettel as he is confronted by some Singapore seafood during one of those cringe-inducing F1 photo opportunities. Mark Webber’s look could be described as mild concern meets great boredom. 

… at least when it comes to women

Formula One drivers spend most of their lives surrounded by beautiful women only too happy to pose with them, hold their umbrella on the grid, and probably hold a host of other things too. It makes sense then that the rich and famous drivers would become confident in these surroundings.

Who then, is the awkward-looking chap giving the thumbs up as two models post with him? It is none other than Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. 1-0 Lewis - now there is just the small matter of the racing…