F1: It’s 'Singa-bore' as Sebastian Vettel wins again

Fernando Alonso (2nd place) of Spain and Ferrari, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Sebastian Vettel (1st place) of Germany and Red Bull Racing and Kimi Raikkonen (3rd place) of Finland and Lotus celebrate on the podium following the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2013 in Singapore, Singapore.

It would be unfair, though, to leave it at that, without mentioning the performances of Raikkonen and Alonso in more detail. Alonso managed to make a two stop strategy work for him where many of the cars and drivers that tried the same tactic failed, including the McLaren’s of Jenson Button – tantalisingly in a podium position in the closing stages of the race – and Sergio Perez.

Raikkonen also made a two stop strategy work, and as a result Alonso and Raikkonen finished second and third respectively, doing as much as they could to hang on to the coattails of Vettel in the championship.

The two stop strategies of Alonso and Raikkonen were impressive in themselves, but considering that both drivers had poor grid positions their performances were impressive in themselves. Raikkonen overcame the discomfort of a bad back to move steadily through the field from his 13^th place starting position.

Where Raikkonen was steady, Alonso was anything but, putting himself in contention with another stunning start, moving himself up from seventh on the grid to third place by turn two. In contrast, his Brazilian team-mate, Felipe Massa, could only finish where he started in sixth place.

Another man who could only finish where he started was Hamilton, who followed home his teammate, Rosberg, in fifth place. That fifth place finish was enough for him to maintain third place in the standings, albeit now just two points ahead of Raikkonen.

Alonso has certainly strengthened his grip on second place in the standings, with a 36 point lead of Hamilton, but it seems that he’s destined to lose out on yet another championship. Vettel now stands 60 points clear at the head of the championship; more than two race wins worth of points in the lead.

Vettel’s performance in Singapore was incredibly impressive, matching his lead in the championship. Not only has the German got the best car on the grid, but he’s also got lady luck on his side.

There was no greater illustration of that as the 26 year-old crossed the line to take victory, seconds after his team-mate, Webber, retired; his car bursting into flames after a water pressure issue.

We move on next to Korea, in two weeks time. At this stage, though, there’s nothing to suggest that the result will be any different. Vettel may well take a fourth straight win next time out, perhaps also signally a fourth straight World Drivers’ Championship for the German.