So does this mean 2011 will see Raikkonen on the track? Apparently it does not. The racer states that unless he is offered to race a competitive car, he will not be returning. When asked why he isn’t working with McLaren, all Kimi had to say was, ‘Unfortunately, certain issues could not be resolved’.

 To many, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could possibly be Kimi’s last Formula 1 race. I guess all that’s left to do is wait for 2011 or better still for a competitive car to hit the tracks.

Jenson Button

“It’s always fun to try a new race track, particularly one which looks as unique as Yas Marina with the unusual pit-lane exit and the day/night race.” Jenson Button, Brawn GP

Rubens Barichello

“The layout of the circuit seems both fun and challenging and it will be interesting to start the race in daylight and to finish in evening conditions.” Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP 

Fernando Alonso

 “It will be a new experience for everyone so it’s important that we maximise all the sessions and learn as much as we can quickly to try and find an advantage. I think the facility looks amazing…” Fernando Alonso, Renault   

Lewis Hamilton

 “All the signs point to Abu Dhabi being another strong track for us – there are plenty of slow corners leading onto long straights, where KERS will be very advantageous. Seeing as it’s likely to be the last race for KERS, it would be fantastic to send it off with a perfect result.” Lewis Hamilton, McLaren

Yas Marina

With all the hype and excitement about the new track, I’ve decided to put down some facts about the track that I came across.

- It is the first Twilight race.

- The Yas MArina runs in an anti-clockwise direction.

- The lap boasts four main periods of acceleration, the longest equating to 1,173 metres, which is the longest straight of any 2009 Formula One track.

-  The two extra tracks at the Yas Marina can run independently of each other and thus make it possible for the circuit to hold two events simultaneously.

-  All of the grandstands, including the massive hairpin seating area, are covered to protect the estimated 50,000 spectators from the desert sun.

Well… so much for now. I’m sure there is so much more in store at this new race venue.

Yas Marina - Circuit Map

What seemed to be an event extraordinaire last year did not seem so much like it this year. But I guess with Formula 1 racing there never can be a dull day. So here are a couple of the latest most shocking events in Formula 1 post the Singapore Grand Prix.

After its sudden triumph over the past few races, Force India seemed to finally run out of its winning streak. Not only did Adrian Sutil not finish, but also got himself fined a reported $20,000.

Now for the most talked about news in the F1 fraternity, Alonso is moving to Ferrari! After his debut in Formula 1 racing in 2001 with Minardi, he went on to become Renault’s official test driver the following season. By 2003 he was in the racer’s seat and went on to be F1’s youngest Grand Prix winner with victory. By the end of 2005 he was F1’s youngest champion.

Fernando Alonso now with Ferrari

Woah! All the hard work and the brilliant racing by the Spaniard has definitely paid off.

As for Raikkonen, he is said to be moving to McLaren where he will be racing along with reigning world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Raikkonen is not very thrilled about the change but has said it was a consensual agreement and is leaving with great memories with the team of the prancing horse.

Kimi Raikkonen

So 2010 is going to see Massa and Alonso as Ferrari’s racers. If you are wondering where that leaves Fisichella, the former Fore India racer, will be Ferrari’s reserve driver. Are you also thinking he should have stayed on with Force India?

It is almost the end of a truly eventful Formula 1 season, and I just cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store for every race fanatic.

Nelson Piquet’s Crash

The much awaited hearing ended on Monday, and what followed was Renault’s 2 year ban! So what does this mean? As of today, Renault is banned for the next 2 years from the FIA, Briatore and Symonds are banned from the F1 fraternity and Piquet Jr. got away scot free in exchange for the evidence he provided to the World Motor Sport Council.

Nelson Piquet Jr.

Although there are those who say Briatore and Symonds deserve what they got, there are those who believe it is very unfair to the rest of the team. And I have to agree.

Flavio Briatore & Pat Symonds

The WMSC also declared that Alonso had nothing to do with the conspiracy and therefore no action will be taken against him. But then again, he is left without a team isn’t he?

Well, I guess that is a wrap on last year’s Singapore Grand Prix only 5 days ahead of the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix!

www.singaporegrandprix.in

Formula 1 as a sport has its history of foul play over the years. With racers intentionally crashing to dampen another’s race, there is nothing very different about the latest Renault scandal. But what is reported as a first, is the fact that a racer was asked to crash for the benefit of a fellow team racer.

Among the accusations against team Renault, the strongest is that of the team risking not only Piquet’s life, but also endangering the spectators, marshals and other racers.

Nelson Piquet Jr. with Flavio Briatore

The case does have a couple of different takes and these are some of them:

- Piquet Jr. should bear the consequences because he chose to go ahead with the dirty plan.

- Alonso should renounce his title from last year even if he had no idea about the plan.

- The team should be banned from F1 racing.

The Singapore Grand Prix seems to be getting all the publicity it needs before the race in September. Whatever said, Singapore is the most talked of race this season!

www.singaporegrandprix.in   

Renault’s managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds have reportedly left the team.

Renault's masterminds - Pat Symonds and Flavio Briatore

After a prolonged denial of the accusations made against the team, by Piquet Jr. and his father, the team released the following press release,

“The ING Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team. Before attending the hearing before the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September 2009, the team will not make any further comment.”

So was Alonso’s win at Singapore last year really a fluke?

WOW! It is almost time for round 2 of the Singapore Grand Prix and last year’s race is back in the spotlight! I guess it is definitely safe to say that this is another first at the Singapore Grand Prix!

www.singaporegrandprix.in

This video has a compilation of  some of the best fights on the circuit!

Let me know what you think or better still, share a video that you’ve come across.

www.singaporegrandprix.in

Dr. Mallya, Force India

The 25 year old from Chennai is currently racing in the GP2 Series and is said to be a strong contender for the role as test driver after Liuzzi’s switch to the race car.

Ex-test driver, Neel Jani is also in the running for Force India’s test driver. With experience of testing for Sauber, Red Bull and Toro Rosso, he might just be too tough a competition.

Since, the test drivers are being chosen for the team’s 2010 line up, I guess there is time and we will have to wait and watch.

For more action in this season, you can be as close to all the action as Force India is to the podium. With package deals to Singapore starting at Rs.46,660, Travel Tours is making sure you can be in Singapore for all the action.

www.singaporegrandprix.in