Alonso tops inaugural Singapore Grand Prix

Renault's Fernando Alonso, bucking a 15th pole position disadvantage, won the inaugural Singapore F1 Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg finished a career-best second place while Lewis Hamilton, one of the preliminary favorite to win the circuit, placed third.

Singapore Grand Prix Weekend

I just got back from a walkabout in Geylang Serai with the family. This, after a heavy dinner binge at one of the newly refurbished coffeeshops near our block. The food was great, we're stuffed full which made the walkabout doubly tougher.

But, yes, I am digressing. This post is all about the much ballyhoed Singapore Grand Prix, the first night race in the F1 circuit. It is also the first F1 street race in Asia. The race covers 61 laps; a lap runs through 5.067 kilometers. The average turns of the F1 tracks is 16 whereas this badass circuit has 23 brake-crunchers. The word is that even the most celebrated race drivers in the circuit who have given this circuit the spin, literally, are one in saying that this is one tough momma.

The circuit runs through the very heart of Singapore's heritage and business center. Notable sights include St. Andrew's Road, beside the City Hall, Raffles Boulevard, overlooking the Esplanade and the Singapore Flyer, the historic Anderson Bridge along the reknowned Fullerton Hotel, just to name a few.

And here's some breaking news, Felipe Mass will be in the pole position when the race kicks off tomorrow. A late burst near the end of the last qualifying run enabled the Brazilian to edge out Britain's Lewis Hamilton. If this is not an indication of how close and exciting the race will turn out tomorrow night, I don't know what will.

Here's the list of the top 10 drivers after the qualifying races:

1. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
   
2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)
   
3. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
   
4. Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber)
   
5. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes)
   
6. Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber)
   
7. Sebastian Vettel (STR-Ferrari)
   
8. Timo Glock (Toyota)
   
9. Nico Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
   
10. Kazuki Nakajima (Williams-Toyota)