Memes Summing up the Singapore Grand Prix

Published 09/20/2016, 7:06 AM EDT

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Last weekend turned out to be a thriller and the whole weekend had something or the other to keep the spectators entertained. From giant lizards in practice session to a stonking pole lap and a nail biter Sunday that saw Rosberg survive Ricciardo’s charge to take home the win and the championship lead.

Rosberg looked dominant the entire weekend and converted that a dominant pole by posting a half a second faster lap than 2nd placed Ricciardo and an amazing seven tenth faster than his team mate Hamilton in the twisty Singapore street circuit.

He drove a flawless race on Sunday and didn’t put a wheel wrong even during those tensed last 12 laps as Riccardo on fresh softer rubber eat away into his lead to come as close as half a second when they finally crossed the finish line.

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Coming into the race Ferrari were the favorites to repeat their last year feat and even Red Bull looked close. However horror was in store for the Scuderia as a rear suspension issue put Vettel out of Q1 having to start dead last and their struggles continued as the other Ferrari finished behind the Red Bulls and Mercedes on saturday.

While during the race Vettel carved his way from the back Raikkonen did the unthinkable and hounded the Mercedes of Hamilton forcing him into an error and took the position much to the rejoice of Fans all over but the Silver Arrows drew them into a strategic fight by pitting Hamilton on faster tires sending the Scuderia pit wall into a frenzy as they could not decide whether to pit Raikkonen or not before calling him in but by that time a great out-lap by Hamilton meant when Kimi finally joined the track he emerged behind the Mercedes.

For the second year in a row track safety at the track was highlighted as during the practice session Verstappen had to navigate around a Giant Lizard on track which resulted in a rather amusing radio communication between the Red Bull pit wall and the Dutchman.

But the concern was eyebrow raising on Sunday as when the Safety Car came in after Nico Hulkenberg’s crash and the racing went underway, a Marshall was still on track picking up bits and pieces of Carbon Fiber and having to make a dash for his life as the cars came racing his way.

The Ricciardo-Rosberg battle was not the only high point of the race as a battle between Verstappen and erstwhile incumbent Kvyat ensued after the former found himself behind the Toro Rosso courtesy a bad start. While Max in a faster Red Bull hounded Kvyat for many a laps the Russian drove in the manner that clearly showed that this was a personal battle. Having failed to find a way past, Max was soon complaining over the radio and many thought a team order would come knocking on the sister team’s door to let the teen sensation pass.

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Having ended last year as 2nd best and raking up 3 wins in the process, the Scuderia have clearly fallen down the order and even behind Red Bull as Renault have made progress with their Engine.

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With high pressure from the Marchionne’s expectations and that of the fans, Ferrari appears to have cracked under pressure something that last race’s strategic debacle clearly highlights. The teams has taken two steps further and one step back leading many to speculate that Alonso’s decision may prove to be correct overall.

With Focus switching to next year’s regulation change, Ferrari may have a chance to get back to winning ways again, but till then the tifosi and Mr. Marchionne needs to exercise patience.

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Written by:

Muktesh Swamy

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