Rosberg triumphs in night of thrills at Marina Bay

SINGAPORE — As the sun came down on a muggy evening at the Marina Bay circuit, illuminating the city’s gorgeous skyline of the Esplanade’s durian-domes, its old Civic District and the Singapore Flyer, the 3,000-lux lights came on yet again for the ninth edition of the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix last night.

While the crowds around the 5.065km circuit looked thinner this year — overall ticket take-up is 15 per cent lower than average attendance over eight years, according to Singapore GP — the Formula One teams were ready to party, as evidenced by the loud techno music blasting from the Red Bull Racing garage just hours ahead of the 8pm race start. 

Just outside on the 100m walk of fame that is the F1 paddock, it was a game of spot-the-celebrity ahead of the 61-lap race, with the likes of former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand and Australian singer Kylie Minogue spotted soaking in the race atmosphere over the weekend. 

And Singapore race fans witnessed a new champion atop the winner’s podium yesterday, as Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg celebrated his 200th Grand Prix by delivering a clinical drive from pole to finish to claim his first-ever trophy here at the Marina Bay — edging Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo by just four-tenths of a second. 

The Singapore win could also prove to be significant for the German if he emerges victorious in his year-long world championship battle with team-mate Lewis Hamilton, with Rosberg leapfrogging the Briton to claim top spot after yesterday on 273 points. 

Known as one of the toughest on the 21-race calendar for its twisty 23-turn street circuit, extreme heat and humidity, the 22-driver field — and an orange-clad race marshal running for his life — delivered thrills and spills galore for spectators and television viewers worldwide. 

Fans trackside did not have to wait long to witness drama during the two-hour race, as Force India’s Nico Hulkenburg’s spectacular crash at the start line sent pulses racing, and particularly in the Red Bull garage, with the Force India car almost taking out Dutch teenager Max Verstappen. 

There was another heart-stopping moment minutes later, as a race marshal was seen making a speedy getaway from Rosberg’s car right after the end of the safety car period. 

Despite the distractions on the track, there was no stopping Rosberg in his Mercedes, as the 31-year-old posted his best result on the Marina Bay circuit since finishing second with Williams in the inaugural race in 2008.

Over the past eight years, the Singapore night race has often been the scene of memorable incidents, as well as the race that has influenced the outcome of the world championship battles in six of its eight editions — as evidenced by Nelson Piquet Junior’s “crash-gate” in 2008 that gave Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso the race victory, with the result eventually hurting Felipe Massa’s title chances. 

This year’s edition provided yet another twist in the world title fight, and Rosberg — who had previously revealed his dislike for the Singapore circuit — could well be singing a different tune about Marina Bay if he wins his first world title in his 10-year F1 career this year.

“It’s a very awesome weekend in Singapore for me, I had a great start and a great car ... and a cool ending,” said Rosberg. 

“I didn’t have the best of memories here, the track hadn’t treated me well in the past, but today was a good one. The whole car was on edge, as always here in Singapore, and it’s more satisfying with a race like that. I’m not focused on the championship points.”

He added: "Winning the Singapore Grand Prix is awesome and the whole weekend went perfectly. Today, I’m just happy to win the race, I’ll celebrate after this and I can’t wait to get home and then to Malaysia. I hope to repeat it in Malaysia, I’m feeling good, and I want to win Malaysia next.”

Third-placed Hamilton was gracious in defeat when he offered his congratulations to his teammate.

"Definitely not (a great weekend) but firstly big congratulations to Nico - he drove fantastically all weekend," said the Briton. "This weekend has been a tricky one for me but I'm just happy to get on the podium and get some points for the team.

"The brakes were way overheating so I had to slow down. Once I did my second or third stop we managed to sort it out."

When reminded that he is now eight points behind Rosberg in the F1 drivers' standings, Hamilton said: "It's a lot different to when I was here last year but I'm still in the fight and I'm going to give it everything I've got." ADDITIONAL TEXT BY STANLEY HO