Singapore Grand Prix 2013: Team preview – Mercedes

Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP drives during the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at Autodromo di Monza

It is high time Mercedes put in a much better performance than what they delivered at Monza. It would probably take something magical from their star driver to pull off a sensational win like he did in Hungary. But the stakes at Singapore are pretty high. A tiny error can make you go crash into the barriers of the unforgiving Marina Bay Circuit. A driver with the skills and caliber of Hamilton would need every bit of hard-work and every bit of luck to be triumphant.

If Mercedes can create a configuration suited to the humid, bumpy and physically draining circuit, they are capable of pulling a surprise yet again.

Lewis Hamilton

There’s a saying that probably fits the bill for Hamilton; form is temporary class is permanent. He is classy alright but his form has been way too inconsistent this year with just a single win. That can be partially attributed to reliability issues with Mercedes and some tyre bloopers. Or just the fact that Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull have been invincible until now.

While that is an assumption and his rivals would tend to disagree, the results speak for themselves. Hamilton just doesn’t have the car to push Vettel for the Championship. The speed or reliability of the Mercedes W04 has not been up to the mark.

The key at Singapore would be in qualifying and his fans at the Marina Bay circuit would just be hoping for the one magical qualifying lap that could push him to pole position and eventually keep the momentum going all throughout the race.

Lewis Hamilton’s record at the Singapore Grand Prix

Number of Race Starts	5
Wins	1 (2009)
Pole Positions	2
Podiums	1

Nico Rosberg

The German has done decently well for himself, given the circumstances, with 2 wins this season but no other podium finishes. But the 28-year-old is on his way to better his points tally from last year. He is one of those drivers who have the skills but then again misses out on opportunities.

Nico would be hoping to go one step ahead and prove that he is capable and hungry for more and that it would be even more pleasing on one of the toughest circuits around.

Nico Rosberg’s record at Singapore Grand Prix

Number of Race Starts	5
Wins	Nil
Pole Positions	Nil
Podiums	1

Teammate round-up

While the two teammates share a good chemistry off the circuit considering their camaraderie during their days as junior drivers, there are no visible hard feelings on the track. But they might be two different people under the helmet. Racing alongside a Champion such as Michael Schumacher is no mean achievement but beating him comprehensively is certainly not something Rosberg can contemplate.

Given a situation where Hamilton is tailing Rosberg , chances are that Nico will be asked to give a pass to Hamilton, and not for the first time. But that will definitely build a wall between the two teammates.