Formula 1: Alonso on the podium for the eighth time
Fernando Alonso defended his World Championship lead with another podium finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. In the only night race during the Formula 1 season, the Spaniard, whose Ferrari is equipped with dampers from the ZF Friedrichshafen AG, benefitted from early leader Lewis Hamilton’ technically related retirement before continuing under the floodlights to take the chequered flag in third place after starting in fifth position. After 14 of 20 races this season Alonso leads the overall standings by 29 points from race winner Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Team mate Felipe Massa, who also relies on dampers from Schweinfurt, collected four points after finishing eighth.
Daniel Ricciardo, who uses dampers and a clutch from ZF Friedrichshafen AG in his Toro Rosso-Ferrari, clinched a ninth place finish for the third time this year. Team mate Jean-Eric Vergne retired early from the race around Marina Bay Circuit after a collision. Sergio Pérez and Kamui Kobayashi (both Sauber-Ferrari) also rely on high-tech from Germany.
Result GP Singapore (SGP), round 14, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 21.09-23.09.2012:
1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 2h 00m 16.144s
2. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, + 8.959s
3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, + 15.227s, ZF
4. Paul Di Resta, Force India-Mercedes, + 19.063s
5. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, + 34.784s
6. Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus-Renault, + 35.759s
7. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault, + 36,698s
8. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, + 42.829s, ZF
9. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, + 45.820s, ZF
10. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 47.175s
Drivers’ World Championship standings:
1. F. Alonso, 194 points; 2. S. Vettel, 165; 3. K. Räikkönen, 149; 4. L. Hamilton, 142; 5. M. Webber, 133; 6. J. Button, 119; 7. N. Rosberg, 93; 8. R. Grosjean, 82; 9. S. Pérez, 65; 10. F. Massa, 51.
Manufacturers’ World Championship standings:
1. Red Bull-Renault, 298 points; 2. McLaren-Mercedes, 261; 3. Ferrari, 245; 4. Lotus-Renault, 231; 5. Mercedes, 136; 6. Sauber-Ferrari, 100; 7. Force India-Mercedes, 75; 8. Williams-Renault, 54; 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 14.