Five things we learned from the Singapore Grand Prix

19 September 2016 08:53

Formula One has a new championship leader after Nico Rosberg sauntered to victory at the Singapore Grand Prix. The German is now eight points clear of Lewis Hamilton after the British driver could finish only third.

Here, we look back at five things we learned from Sunday's race.

1. Should Lewis Hamilton be worried?

That was the question circulating the paddock on Sunday night after Nico Rosberg delivered a crushing victory over his title rival. Thrashed in qualifying, Hamilton was also nowhere to be seen in the race. Never before has the German enjoyed such a dominant weekend over his Mercedes team-mate. So, what went wrong? Yes, Hamilton's preparations were hampered by a hydraulic issue in practice, and he was also forced to look after his brakes in the race too - although it is worth mentioning that Rosberg faced a similar scenario - but there appeared to be something deeper troubling the world champion. He was subdued from the moment he arrived in the paddock to his departure just after midnight on Sunday. It would be unwise to back against the Briton, but his all-round performance here will be cause for concern.

2. Rosberg's time

Rosberg delivered a champion's performance in Singapore, and the statistics are stacking up in his favour. No driver has won eight races in a season and not sealed the title, while the winner in Singapore has gone on to claim the championship in four of the last five years. We should also note that Rosberg triumphed at the opening four rounds of the season. Again, no driver in the sport's history has lost the title after performing such a feat. Rosberg's public mantra is to insist he is not thinking about the championship, but who is he kidding? His most emphatic win over Hamilton could not have come at a better time, and, with just six rounds left, there is a growing feeling that he could do the unthinkable and beat his rival to this year's crown.

3. Marshall's narrow escape

The FIA, the sport's governing body, are seeking answers after a marshall was on track moments before the race re-started following an early safety car period. The marshall was seen frantically running away from turn one as Rosberg and co approached him at 200mph. It was at this race last year where a fan managed to walk on to the track. "Last year's guy was drunk at least," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. "I don't think this guy had such a good time out there. It was very dangerous." Rosberg added: "That was pretty hairy, for sure. I think just as we didn't expect the restart, and he didn't either. We all had to drive a bit carefully through there."

4. Little joy for Jolyon

Jolyon Palmer's chances of earning a second season at Renault were dealt a blow in Singapore after he finished a lowly 15th, while his team-mate Kevin Magnussen crossed the line in 10th to secure his second points finish of the year. Palmer, who is yet to score a single point, suffered a slow puncture and failed to make an impression in the race. Renault are yet to confirm their plans for 2017, although it is thought that Esteban Ocon will be named as one of their drivers. Such a scenario would leave Palmer, 25, and Magnussen to fight over the remaining seat.

5. Beginning of the end for Ecclestone 'dictatorship'?

Chase Carey, Formula One's new executive chairman, has called for the sport to move away from what he described as a "dictatorship". Bernie Ecclestone, who has presided over the sport for 40 years, has a three-year deal under the new ownership, but his future plans remain unclear. And tellingly Carey, the mustachioed American making his F1 debut this weekend, conducted his meetings in the Singapore paddock without the 85-year-old in tow. In response to working alongside Carey, Ecclestone said: "The only thing I have to do is die and pay my tax. Short of that I don't have to do anything."

Source: PA