- 20 Sep 10, 14:21#216250Singapore is going to be completely different to the last two races. Here are my thoughts on how the three main contenders will fare as well as some thoughts on a few of the other teams.
McLaren (favourites)
There are lots of people who speculated that McLaren needed to do well at Spa and Monza because it was surmised that those were the last tracks that would suit the McLarens. Personally, I don't see it that way.
Whilst the RB performs at its best on the sweeping high speed bends of Spa and Silverstone, the McLaren has really proven itself on what I'd call an "angular" course, like Turkey, and of course Singapore.
McLaren didn't need to work on development for Spa and Monza, they knew they'd be in the hunt anyway. So, they have also had all this time to concentrate on these next 5 races. So, I'd expect a significant raft of changes from McLaren to debut at Singapore.
I'd expect the McLaren to have a huge work program to get though on Friday, but. as long as they don't botch up the implementation of these changes, their car, that was already going to be very fast at Singapore, should really start this race as favourites. I'd expect a very quiet confidence to be displayed by McLaren.
RBR ((just pipped by McLaren - but only just!)
No need to state the obvious here, this car is awesome. Downforce and aero grip has been taken to a new level by Adrian Newey. In reality, this team should have wrapped up both championship with this car this year already. If it was a Ross Brawn at the helm I'm sure it would have been. But bad decisions have cost them dearly.
They will only show their true form in qualifying on Saturday, but expect a RB6 at the front of the grid, perhaps even two. Unfortunately for them, they have a serious problem with starts. And they don't seem to have any answers to this. Also, because this track is more angular than sweeping, their downforce advantage will be reduced. Webber will have his work cut out, but, I expect that he will be more practical than desperate, so he will be willing to settle for a podium, rather than risk it going for a win. We are likely to see an even more anxious Vettel at Singapore. He needs something dramatic to re-ignite his chances and that means taking even more risks.
Ferrari
Ferrari will feel they have been put back in with a chance for both championship when they probably thought they'd be fully focused on 2011. To go from the F60 to the F10 in a year has been a spectacular effort. Ferrari already turned most of their resources to the 2011 car, whilst still keeping a significant development team going on the F10. The car can be fast, but, it's biggest advantage is in race trim not qualifying. I expect them to qualify on the next rung, perhaps 3rd row but to be closer in terms of speed to the front runners as the race develops.
Fernando is the wildcard here. He can get a lot more out of a car than most others and he will be full of confidence after Monza. I also expect Felipe to continue improving and closing the gap on his teammate. The other advantage Ferrari have is they will perform as a team - and everyone there knows it. What's that saying "a champion team will beat a team of champions"? 2007 will be in the minds of the Ferrari team.
There is one very big "if" when we talk about Ferrari's chances at Singapore. I'd say, that the Ferrari team has performed the best of all teams in terms of development improvements since 2009. Sure there have been hiccups, but overall, to go from the F60 to the F10 with extremely limited testing, I think they've earned this accolade. The "if" is this, "if" Ferrari can continue the development curve they could put a car to beat all comers on the Marina Bay Circuit.
The Other Teams
Expect Renault and Kubica to really come back to the front-runners, this track will suit the development improvements they have added to their car.
Despite Ross Brawn saying Mercedes are fully focused on the 2011 car, I'm expecting the last round of significant updates to be delivered to the Mercedes this week. These will be areos that will try and compensate for their weight distribution problems that have plagued their car. Nico might just have a surprise for us. Micheal's relative performance will tell us all we need to know about the rumors surrounding his future in F1 in 2011.
Force India will be bitterly disappointment after Monza, they expected to be right up there, perhaps pushing for a podium before they arrived in Italy. Singapore will be a test of their mettle to see how they can rebound.
Williams have been putting together some solid results. The problem is, the team probably feel both drivers could and should be doing a little more with the cars they've been given. Add this perceived pressure to the criticism of Nico from Monza and his "off track" adventures to keep Mark at bay and we might just see some very hard driving from this guy.
Of the rest, I'd expect the Lotus team to do the best. Close to their bosses home and back to his roots in Asia. They will feel like the champions elect of the noobs.
"He was the fastest driver I ever saw - faster even than Fangio"
________________________- Mike Hawthorn on Alberto Ascari 
