- 28 Sep 08, 20:41#68796
Formula One's first ever night race has come and past and produced another unpredictable outcome - not the first time tis year. Who would have predicted that after the heartache of a loose fuel wire ruining his qualifying session, Fernando Alonso would storm through to take his twentieth grand prix victory, and remerge as one of the sport's most talented drivers.
Of course in reality Fernando Alonso shouldn't have been anywhere near the podium today, let alone in the points. Any other Grand Prix and he would have had a hard day stuck in a battle with Williams and Red Bull - much what he has done for most of this season.
However this was no normal race. Under the floodlight skies of the Singapore, Bernie Eccelstone's dream came true. Lobbying for a race to suit his target European Audience's sleeping pattern had always been a struggle for Bernie. Turned down repeatably by the likes of Australia, Eccelstone finally got his way by handing a grand prix to a country not really associated with Motor racing - how true of the way the Formula one circus has developed in recent years, with the likes of India and Abu Dhabi following suit, the end is not in sight.
Some said this was the future of Formula One, but I wouldn't agree. I was always sceptical about adding new street circuits to the calendar. I think we've reached a limit. Formula 1 is a track sport, not something from Need for Speed!
I'm sure everyone found today's race particularly enjoyable, unless of course your team colour was Scarlett, but the excitement that Singapore mustered this afternoon will be hard to repeat in the coming years. If it had not been for safety cars and numerous pit blunders, the race would have turned into a procession - with Felipe Massa more than likely claiming victory.
This is my point, Night race does not add anything to the racing in Formula 1. If it had not been for the street nature of the Singapore circuit the racing may have proved rather tedious. It is no more than a gimmick, a way for sponsors to raise their product's image in a highly photogenic environment.
With this in mind, surely the idea of more night races in the region would be negative?
A lighting rig placed around the likes of Fuji for example would surely be damaging to the quality of the show - there would be no shots of Mount Fuji for one.
I for one am from the point of view that getting up early for a Formula 1 race, is part and parcel of being a fan. It shows determination, and really gives you a buzz at that hour of the morning: when usually i'd just switch off the alarm clock and go back to bed.
The idea of more night racing in Asia does not add to the show, there is nothing wrong with the venues as they are - why try and create damaged goods?
Why is it confined to Asia? Why is Europe seen as the key market for Formula 1, when its fans are getting less and less chances to attend races themselves, with historic grand prixs in France, Germany and Britain continually under threat?
These countries contain a large percentage of the audience Mr Eccelstone is targeting. Why does he continue to alienate some?
If he wants more night races why doesn't he try one in Europe. I'm sure Valencia for one could easily pick up the mantle. Surely it would improve what was merely a poorly marketed bland weekend?
And what about a return to the US? Surely the manufacturers and sponsors are keen on taking their products to the states rather than the people of South Korea or Mongolia (no disrespect to these countries of course)
Yes we have had a fantasic Singapore Grand Prix, but next year we could easily have a Spain or Bahrain style grand prix.
Surely the people of Singapore would then wonder why they stayed up?
More night races would surely blow the bulb on this opportunity to add an exciting variable to look forward to every year.
Of course in reality Fernando Alonso shouldn't have been anywhere near the podium today, let alone in the points. Any other Grand Prix and he would have had a hard day stuck in a battle with Williams and Red Bull - much what he has done for most of this season.
However this was no normal race. Under the floodlight skies of the Singapore, Bernie Eccelstone's dream came true. Lobbying for a race to suit his target European Audience's sleeping pattern had always been a struggle for Bernie. Turned down repeatably by the likes of Australia, Eccelstone finally got his way by handing a grand prix to a country not really associated with Motor racing - how true of the way the Formula one circus has developed in recent years, with the likes of India and Abu Dhabi following suit, the end is not in sight.
Some said this was the future of Formula One, but I wouldn't agree. I was always sceptical about adding new street circuits to the calendar. I think we've reached a limit. Formula 1 is a track sport, not something from Need for Speed!
I'm sure everyone found today's race particularly enjoyable, unless of course your team colour was Scarlett, but the excitement that Singapore mustered this afternoon will be hard to repeat in the coming years. If it had not been for safety cars and numerous pit blunders, the race would have turned into a procession - with Felipe Massa more than likely claiming victory.
This is my point, Night race does not add anything to the racing in Formula 1. If it had not been for the street nature of the Singapore circuit the racing may have proved rather tedious. It is no more than a gimmick, a way for sponsors to raise their product's image in a highly photogenic environment.
With this in mind, surely the idea of more night races in the region would be negative?
A lighting rig placed around the likes of Fuji for example would surely be damaging to the quality of the show - there would be no shots of Mount Fuji for one.
I for one am from the point of view that getting up early for a Formula 1 race, is part and parcel of being a fan. It shows determination, and really gives you a buzz at that hour of the morning: when usually i'd just switch off the alarm clock and go back to bed.
The idea of more night racing in Asia does not add to the show, there is nothing wrong with the venues as they are - why try and create damaged goods?
Why is it confined to Asia? Why is Europe seen as the key market for Formula 1, when its fans are getting less and less chances to attend races themselves, with historic grand prixs in France, Germany and Britain continually under threat?
These countries contain a large percentage of the audience Mr Eccelstone is targeting. Why does he continue to alienate some?
If he wants more night races why doesn't he try one in Europe. I'm sure Valencia for one could easily pick up the mantle. Surely it would improve what was merely a poorly marketed bland weekend?
And what about a return to the US? Surely the manufacturers and sponsors are keen on taking their products to the states rather than the people of South Korea or Mongolia (no disrespect to these countries of course)
Yes we have had a fantasic Singapore Grand Prix, but next year we could easily have a Spain or Bahrain style grand prix.
Surely the people of Singapore would then wonder why they stayed up?
More night races would surely blow the bulb on this opportunity to add an exciting variable to look forward to every year.
Last edited by EwanM on 28 Sep 08, 20:57, edited 1 time in total.
Forumula One: The World's Greatest Sport
