10 Things You Might Have Missed From The Singapore GP Weekend

Image source: GP2 Media

The Singapore streets were really brought to life last weekend with the F1 and GP2 circus rolling. Vettel dominated the race but aside from that, there was plenty to take in during the only night race on the Formula 1 calendar. So here are 10 things you might have missed from the Grand Prix weekend.

1. Vettel shrugs off post-race booing

Image source: Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel was booed once again as he collected his Singapore Grand Prix race winner's trophy during Sunday's podium ceremony. This came after he received a similar - probably worse - reaction in Italy two weeks earlier after winning on Ferrari's home turf.

Sky Sports F1 commentator and podium interviewer Martin Brundle even urged them to stop, saying: "Please don't do that, that is not correct."

Image source: Getty Images

Meanwhile Vettel laughed off the crowd's reaction, saying after the race: "Some people like what we do, some people don't. If they boo, it's a compliment - that's the way I take it, they are jealous because I win. It seems as if they are on a tour and they are wealthy enough to come on flights to Singapore."

2. Ricciardo: Driver error caused crash

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Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that the crash which eliminated him from the Singapore Grand Prix was entirely his fault. The Aussie, who will replace Mark Webber at Red Bull in 2014, locked up into the tight turn 18 chicane on lap 25, hitting the wall and bringing out the safety car.

Speaking about the crash he said: "The crash was my error, trying to make up for lost ground. I was aware that for the pace we had, we were not doing too badly and maybe at the end I was just trying to get too much out of it and made that mistake. It’s a delicate corner with not much run-off and I went too deep into the apex. I then braked a bit harder, locked a wheel and went into the wall. It’s not a mistake I’m used to making. I will learn from this."

3. Brits dominate Singapore GP2

Image source: GP2 Media

It was a British walkover in Formula 1's Singapore Grand Prix support series, GP2. Jolyon Palmer and Sam Bird both took one victory apiece over the race weekend.

Palmer dominated in practice and took pole position for Saturday's feature race. However, a slow start dropped him down the field and gave him plenty of work to do. He fought his way through the pack, emerging from his pit stop in second place. Carlin team-mate Felipe Nasr led but with fresher rubber, the Palmer caught up and moved ahead shortly before the chequered flag. Third place man James Calado made it two Brits on the podium.

Image source: GP2 Media

Sunday's sprint race was dominated by RUSSIAN TIME's Sam Bird. The Brit has kept himself well and truly in the title fight with a strong victory around one of the toughest circuits on the GP2 calendar. He held off pressure from second place man Marcus Ericson and championship leader Fabio Leimer, who was caught up in an unusual post-race accident which you can see below, to take his fifth win of the year.

The GP2 series now takes a well-earned break before the season finale at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi in November.

4. Massa has "a few" options for 2014

Soon to be ex-Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has revealed that he has a few options on the table for the 2014 season. The Brazilian will be replaced at the Scuderia by Kimi Raikkonen.

Massa has made it clear that he is looking to stay in Formula 1 and it is no secret that his manager Nicolas Todt is in talks with Lotus, but Massa has admitted that there are other options too.

He told Sky Sports F1: "Well he

is speaking with a few people and we will see what is going to be the best possibility for me. I don't think things are going to be decided so soon, but let's see how it is going to be and I hope I can choose the right direction."

5. Kimi battles back injury to finish third

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

Kimi Raikkonen's Singapore Grand Prix chances looked to be diminishing on Saturday morning after it came to light that he was struggling with back pain. He described the discomfort during final practice as being "very bad" and Lotus even prepared reserve driver Davide Valsecchi in case he couldn't qualify.

He was forced to take painkilling injections prior to qualifying and admitted that it did hinder his performance, although he put his poor P13 on the grid more down to his car than the injury itself. However, he stormed through the field on Sunday to finish in third place and reported that his back injury - which dates back to a testing crash for Sauber in 2001 - was much improved.

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

Speaking after the race he said: "The problem with my back hasn’t been ideal, but it felt much better than yesterday and I didn’t really notice it in the race, only afterwards. I have some time to recover before Korea and we were pretty strong there last year, so let’s see what we can do next time out."

6. Typical Ted Kravitz

Image source: Sky Sports F1

Ted Kravitz has been around the world of Formula 1 for quite some time, 16 years in fact. He started his career at ITV initially as a producer for their F1 coverage before turning his hand at pit lane reporting in 2002. Now working for Sky Sports F1, his post-session Notebook segments are a must watch as he dawdles around the paddock discussing how the day has gone for each team.

During his post-race Notebook for the Singapore Grand Prix, Ted came across Sauber rookie Esteban Gutierrez. Now you might expect him to go through the Mexican's race, but instead he decided to discuss what a large neck Gutierrez has. This went on for quite some time and was hilarious to watch.

7. Crazy post-race GP2 crash

This was definitely the craziest moment from GP2's trip to Singapore. The incident took place on the slow-down lap of Sunday's sprint race and involved championship leader Fabio Leimer and Caterham's Alexander Rossi.

The GP2 support paddock is situated some distance away from the F1 pit complex, so the drivers have to negotiate a tight turn part-way along the straight between turns five and six to reach it. Rossi was doing just that, taking a wider line to make the turn, when he was T-boned by Leimer.

Leimer had just crossed the line in third place and was making his way back to the F1 pit complex for the podium ceremony. He couldn't avoid the turning Rossi, locking his brakes and crashing into the Caterham GP2 car.

8. Chances of F1 returning to Mexico increases

Image source: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Mexico has two Formula 1 drivers on the 2013 grid and now it looks set to cement itself on the F1 2014 calendar. That is after F1 race director Charlie Whiting and track designer Hermann Tilke visited the country and the expected race venue, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, prior to the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

The calendar has been absent of a Mexican round for 21 years, but that could all be set to change. The race was listed on an unofficial 2014 calendar, which is due to be agreed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in the coming days. However, there is plenty of work to do if the race does get the green light with track and safety changes needing to be made alongside a new pit complex.

9. Hamilton - I wouldn't want to dominate like Vettel

Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton has said that he wouldn't like to dominate in the way that Sebastian Vettel has in recent races. The Brit finished the Singapore Grand Prix in fifth place and despite being disappointed with the result, he wants to fight for his position rather than remain unchallenged in the lead.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race he said: "I saw a glimpse of him on the podium and I was happy for him. I tried to imagine what it would be like if I was winning races the way he is winning races. Me, I don't want to be able to be that far ahead though, I want to be able to fight with him or whoever."

Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

He also commented on the fans booing Vettel on the podium, adding: "But this is the way it is, and it's definitely not a positive thing to hear that he has been booed. He's on his way to his fourth World Championship and he needs all the credit if he wins it."

10. Caterham extend Renault partnership

Image source: Caterham F1 Team

The Caterham F1 Team announced over the weekend that they have extended their partnership with current engine supplier Renault for a further three years.

Formula 1 enters a new era next season with the introduction of V6 Turbo powerplants. Team principal Cyril Abiteboul said on the news: "This announcement is obviously very good news for our F1 team.

is a reflection of the deep bonds that have been created between our two businesses since 2011."

Image source: Caterham F1 Team

He added: "The depth of our partnership will certainly pay dividends in 2014, helping us tackle the new regulations quickly and efficiently, helping to give us the best opportunity to continue our progress up the grid in 2014 and beyond."

Caterham also took the opportunity to launch its 'unique' looking AeroSeven concept in Singapore.