Fernando Alonso was crowned Formula One's prince of darkness on Sunday, after streaking to the chequered flag at the sport's first night-time grand prix in Singapore. The Spaniard's triumph at Formula One's 800th race was heralded by customary champagne-fuelled celebrations, the podium jubilation adhering to time-honoured motor racing etiquette. But while Renault's twice former world champion will be forever noted as the Singapore GP's first winner, the F1 honour roll will not so easily record the biggest winner of the weekend -- the South-East Asian city-state whose staging of a spectacular and innovative race has left the motor racing world agog with admiration.
Spain's Fernando Alonso snapped a year-long win drought to take the Singapore Grand Prix, winning a drama-filled first ever night race as a comical error cost Felipe Massa dearly.The Brazilian who started the race in pole position, was given the green light to leave the pits but the fuel hose was still attached as he accelerated away, spraying petrol and knocking over one of the pit crew.
No points for Ferrari as Massa finished in 13th position and teammate Kimi Raikkonen failed to finish after ramming his car into the barriers with just four laps left. Kimi Raikkonen has conceded that any hope he had of defending his world title has evaporated after his disastrous Singapore Grand Prix. The Ferrari star finished outside the points for his fourth consecutive race after ramming his car into the barriers with just four laps left when he was in fifth. It leaves the Finn 27 points adrift of leader Lewis Hamilton with three races to go.
"It was a pretty small chance anyhow," he said of his title chances. "I'm not sad for my fifth place but I'm sorry for the team to lose those points. But for sure we'll try to do better next race."
Raikkonen has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in April and the last time he scored any championship points was at Germany in July, when he finished sixth. But his position at Ferrari is guaranteed after signing a new contract and he vowed to do all he could to help the team win the constructors' title. "I am not used to giving up and I will do my very best to try and help the team reach its targets," he told reporters.
With teammate Felipe Massa also finishing outside the points, there is every chance that Raikkonen will be under orders to help the Brazilian in his bid to win the drivers' title. Massa is seven points behind McLaren's Hamilton. "I know what the team wants -- they want to win the world championship," he said.
"We will see what happens. I'm trying to win races too and we will see what happens. I'm out of the championship anyhow." He added that he crashed as he tried to pass Timo Glock to lift himself into fourth position. "I was trying to attack Glock in case he might make a mistake but I went slightly wide at the chicane, jumping over the kerb, and when the car landed I lost control and ended up in the barriers," he said.
"Clearly, morale is not high today."
Williams driver Nico Rosberg came in second, 2.95 seconds behind the Renault while McLaren's Lewis Hamilton finished in third place. The Briton extends his lead over Massa in the championship standings to seven points with just three races to go.
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