Mark’s Singapore GP hopes go up in smoke
For most of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Mark enjoyed his most competitive showing in the city-state. He was second fastest in both of Friday’s practice sessions and he set a time just 0.3s shy of pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel in qualifying.
In the race he was looking good for a podium finish, until a water pressure problem brought his race to a smoky and frustrating end on the final lap.
“Until the team asked me to begin short-shifting with six laps to go,” says Mark, “the weekend was going okay. I got the car hooked up in qualifying and could have been even closer to Seb if I’d got the last sector absolutely right. But he’s always been very strong through there.
“As for the race, I was happy with my start and I think I did pretty much everything I could out there. Tyre management went well and my pace was consistent. We did a great job to get the undercut on Nico [Rosberg] at my final pitstop. It was a great call from the pitwall to bring me in first and was very happy with that out-lap. Towards the end I was catching Kimi [Raikkonen] on much fresher tyres when I got a radio call to short-shift.”
The team had noticed that Mark’s engine had begun losing water and the message to short-shift came with six laps to go. It was an attempt by the engineers to put less strain on Mark’s V8, but the water ran out and temperatures rocketed as a result. A premature end was inevitable.
“The pitwall asked me to short-shift at Monza as well,” says Mark. “But the difference here was that the engine rapidly started to lose power. In the end it let go on the final lap and caught fire, which was really tough. This is a very physical race, so it was very disappointing to put in all that effort only for it to come to nothing so close to the chequered flag.”
The disappointment didn’t stop there for Mark either. On the slow-down lap he hitched a lift back to the pits with Fernando Alonso, much to the disapproval of the race stewards (FIA regulations, article 30.9b). After much deliberation, both drivers were issued with a reprimand – Mark’s third of the season. The result is a 10-place grid penalty at the next race in Korea.
“There’s not much I can say about that,” says Mark. “It’s very frustrating, but the stewards have made their decision. It’s now going to compromise my race in Korea, which is tough to take.”
// ends
41 Comments
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Wendy
on September 23, 2013Oh Mark How disappointing for you It was all going so well Really thought you’d be on the podium. Can’t believe you’ll have to go back ten in Korea As I recall you’re other reprimands were on the unfair side too. Beginning to think that Porsche racing is looking more and more appealing Surely your luck will only get better. Fingers crossed the rest of the season goes well for you including Korea even though you may not think so. May have to dig deep into that Aussie grit though. Your fans are keeping the faith – always. x
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Cristiane Ambrósio
on September 23, 2013The punishment because of the lift was a bit too much… but it was one of those great moments of F1!
As for the next race, it may be compromise or not. It is a race and everything can happen… -
chris
on September 23, 2013I’m so disgusted for you Mark, it’s pathetic this decision !! We ‘re all with you my Aussie Grit..
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Stuart
on September 23, 2013Mate total BS today, First the car breaks down, runs out of water, sebs sails on through, then extra BS with the stewards having a H&S hissy fit. You are all professional drivers, so im pretty sure it was a safe dink back to the pits. Finish strong
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Jeff Andersen
on September 23, 2013At least you know who your mates are.
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Suzanne Finch
on September 23, 2013Mark Formula One will not be the same without you racing. And what a silly rule to penalize you for hitching a ride back to base when your car had to stop. Don’t blame you for leaving this crazy set up. Are we going to see you racing for Porsche next year? All the best for the rest of the year.
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Pam
on September 23, 2013Why is it always your car that has problems. Always yours.
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Anne
on September 23, 2013It’s hurts enough you cop a 10 place penalty but the fact that the F1 posts a photo on their website of you catching the ide with Alonso just rubs salt into the wound. If they think the ‘crime’ was that bad – why are they promoting it?
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debbie geale
on September 23, 2013hi yes it would be frustrating you did well I love sitting up and watching f1 I cant believe you get ripped off one way or another you are a great driver and I will still support you in your next venture cheers debbi
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trav
on September 23, 2013Rbr shafting of MW continues.
Wheels falling off….twice.
Ecu shits itself.
Clutch setup always wrong.
****in wish u would do another 2 yrs with another team. -
Tanya
on September 23, 2013Mark, 100% behind you and still mad about the stewards. If they wanted to punish you so much, a fine would be more than enough. Rules are rules, but destroying the spirit… Now it`s not F1 you wanted to compete in, is it?
As for the race – great fight it was, and you deserved fireworks, not fire. Keep fighting! -
Juzza
on September 23, 2013cant wait for you to get away from all those wankers in F1 … happy days from 2014 onwards mate ;O)
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Lindsay
on September 23, 2013I also wonder why your car!! We all understand they are Hi Tech vehicles and things can go wrong. I personally enjoyed seeing you ride back with Alonso – great friend and respect for each other. As for the penalty – it is ridiculous and an example that we are all facing in this current age – over governing.
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MelanieK69
on September 23, 2013The lift was the highlight of the Grand Prix for me. So disappointed about this penalty. Particularly as I always thought the reprimand for the Bahrain contact with Rosberg was bizarre and completely over the top given how many drivers make some contact and are never even investigated. 🙁
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John
on September 23, 2013Mark, you may have the grid penalty, but F1 fans around the world will remember the images of you and Alonso long after they forget the wash-up. It was a great image of 2 of the best drivers on the grid, plus 2 of the best characters. You and Alonso are the main reason why some people watch F1. To see proper men fighting to the limit, but also have a great amount of respect for each other, both on and off the track. Remember Germany 2009 and China 2011? Those 2 races are itched in my memory because of your driving. You came virtually from the back in both races to finish on the podium and win in 2009. Korea is another chance to take the Red Bull by the scruff-of-the-neck and do it again. Stay focussed Mark, drop it and move on. You have a massive fan base around the world because you have shown your personality and character. Get them again. Enjoy the rest of the season. All the best.
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NATALIA RINCON
on September 23, 2013Well, as usual, rumor has it that you have seb and your the same car, I do not think, always with problems … alonso he climbed into your car in Valencia, and now returns the favor, nothing to say, funny situation between two friends. at this point it is better to take this race with humor, hurt the ten listed in following. right there
kisses from barcelona -
Jill and Brian
on September 23, 2013Words fail us Mark…… Just remember you are the best and your fans are the best. Hold your head high mate, were all behind you.
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ken townend
on September 23, 2013thought the lift was great for tv, and the fans, who where able to get a few photo’s etc. what a load of ****. 10 points, it should have been a slap on the wrist. END OF THE MATTER.
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paul whitham
on September 23, 2013hey mark
in korea do 1 timed lap in q1 and park it save all your tyres
they cant put u back 10 from 22
go mark go
come back to OZ and race v8 supercars mate that would be awsome -
Chris
on September 23, 2013FIA=Idiots, MW did nothing wrong!
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jay
on September 23, 2013I pity poor Riccardo… what Mark has had to put up with no sportsman should have to suffer. The German Prima Donna’s protection knows no bounds! And as for the 10 place penalty, really? Did Alonso get one too? He afterall was the driver! And what of other drivers getting a lift in the past, I’ve never heard of any of them being punished. What a ‘blitzkrieg’…you must be looking forward to seeing the back of this poisoned chalice for champions.
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Mark
on September 24, 2013Mate, why was finger boys car so much faster than yours? I think the answer might be because yours is a patched together version of his and all the good bits are fitted to his at every race. There is no way that RB are engineering the cars to the same level of preparedness. I doubt that finger boy would win anything if they put him in your car. RB says the cars are identical, BS to that, if that were so, the other side of the garage would have the same amount of failures as you have had and inversely you would have a quicker car than you do now. So equality is a relative term at RB, as long as all the good bits are on the other car it’s equal, heaven forbid you should have a faster car than your team mate, that wouldn’t be fair now would it?
Oh yeah, the booing is a direct result of Malaysia, finger boy will rue that day forever more. The penalty for dinking is just total hypocrisy at it’s best and downright unbending and biased at it’s worst. Talk about laying the boots in when your down, yep leave that to the FIA they are good at that.
Good luck in Korea anyway Mark, I hope you qualify on pole and fight your way back for the win. Cheers mate, Mark
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Another Dave
on September 24, 2013Your my favorite driver. I know you can finish top 5 and maybe a podium Korea.
It would be awsome if Red B would let you use Vettles car. -
Mark
on September 24, 2013Mate, why is fingerboys car so much faster than yours? I will tell you why, all the good bits are on his car and your car is just a patched together replica of his. I mean, how can RB say that the cars are engineered identically? If that were so, then the car on the other side of the garage would be breaking down a lot more and inversely your car would be as quick or quicker. But wait, if your car was quicker that wouldn’t be fair now would it? Equality is a relative term at RB it seems, so long as one car fails (your car) and the other wins, all things are equal.
As far as the penalty goes, what an absolute joke, what about in Germany 2011 when you gave Fernando a lift back? Where were the stewards then? Talk about kicking some one when they are down. If your team principal is so pissed at the stewards, why is he not doing more to get this decision reversed? If he was so upset about it he would, but is he really upset or is it a show to make it look like he cares about the number 2 car?
Anyway mate, I hope you get pole in Korea, then race your way to the win and give them all a large one fingered salute whilst on the top step.
The Boos will not stop for your team mate, no one will let him forget what he perpetrated in Malaysia and nor should they. If your team principal thinks it’s not sporting then maybe he should come out with a statement stating that the incident was not handled properly and that he issues you a public apology for the mess he created by not acting when it mattered most.
Cheers mate, keep on keeping on, Mark
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Doug Stratford
on September 24, 2013Hi Mark it must be very hard to keep yourself motivated with all the problems you have had this year, sorry to see you leave F1 but hopefully you will have more respect where you are going. Good luck for the future
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Bob C
on September 24, 2013I think the pic of you on Fernandos car will make millions for the sport. It is a classic and it really shows the friendships and respect among the competitors. It was a little dangerous, and I am glad that nobody was hurt.
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Bob C
on September 24, 2013Will we ever know what caused the water leak? Was it blow-off from overheating, or was there a leak somewhere…. Good luck next year Mark… You will do well, I am sure.
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Peter from Oz
on September 24, 2013Another inferior Red Bull while the boy,s car gets stronger with the race. You must be looking forward to Porsche. Hope we in Aus will see some television reports on next year’s races. Great drive back through the field. We were backing your to get Kimi.
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pargo
on September 24, 2013Maybe for Korea sit out quali and save the tyres. Then do your thing – storm through the field.
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Tony
on September 24, 2013yes the stewards were right it may have been dangerous but worth a caution only. How much good publicity was it worth? showing how sportsman can behave, it is nice to see a competitor offering a helping hand. Bloody stupid F1 officials if they had any brains they would reverse the decision before the next race and earn some good points with the public. But somehow I doubt it, don’t you.
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Kevo
on September 24, 2013As an F1 driver, you have consistently shown professionalism & diplomacy. The RB principle & team are going to miss this next year. Good luck next year & I hope you maintain a soft spot for the Renault Sports division whose engines continue to dominate the results.
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Petra Schütz-Wagner
on September 25, 2013Dear Mark, Singapore….from brilliant racing with perfectly clean overtaking coming mighty close to picturing you standing on the podium only to see you ending up with a burning car on the last lap. Plus a stupid penalty. The lift back with Fernando was sensational.
Your awesome racing made me feel so excited and nervous , clued on the couch , biting my thumbs !However the tragic end that you suffered makes me wonder if the two RB cars are set up the same. Who would believe that?
Even David C. brought it up on BBC…
And what did Seb say regarding to his victory: ‘These things don’t happen by accident, it is down to a lot of hard work from the team’.hm…
Sadly ,I have to say F1 is coming to the point where fairness and sportsman ship no longer represent its core values . And this includes the booing fans in front of the podium ! Looking at MotoGP ,there we see a lot more excitement, humor ,and fairness .
If you are not already working on your second book , please Mark I beg you to do so. We want to learn more about your complex world you are going through on and off the track !
Big hug and cheers from China -
Ian
on September 25, 2013Mark, as another Aussie living in Britain, I am incredibly proud of you. Your grace under unjustifiable attack, your insightful and forthright comments, and, behind it all, your skill as a driver are the reason I watch F1. And your interview with Fernando was the icing on the cake. F1 will be a lesser sport without your participation. Sincere best wishes for 2014 and Porsche.
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Susan fm Oz
on September 25, 2013Mark what can I say that hasn’t been said before. You know you’ve absolutely made the right decision to leave F1. Never have I seen such bias, and blatant disrespect for anyone in any sport. All I can say is you are loved world-wide for your character, honesty, sportsmanship, ability and endurance and I will no longer watch F1 from the end of this season. If I happen to watch it I most certainly will not follow RBR although I would like Daniel to do well. F1 will lose many many fans when you leave the sport and I can’t wait to read your book:)
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Jack Morrison
on September 25, 2013Hi Mark,
Personally, I thought the lift back to the pits was a great Aussie bit of humour and one friend helping another, which is great to see. You were on my flight to back to Brisbane and just wanted to comment on how gracious you were after the flight to be standing with the public getting their photos taken with you at the baggage carousel. I was too shy and regret not getting one as well, but thought it was fantastic that you can take time out for your fans regardless of how early it is. Go well in Korea Mark and enjoy the rest of your season. It’s been you that has kept me up late on a Sunday night for many years now and we’ll all look forward to continuing to watch your fabulous skills with Porsche in 2014. You’re a great Australian sportsman. Period. -
GazzaMWFan
on September 25, 2013Mark you are a champion putting up with RBs BS and backstabbing they have done. 4 yrs betrayed to be No 1 driver and they give you scraps to drive… all for a german primadonna with family ties and money influence in RB. So sad they not support their driver, instead sabotage your efforts. Keep fighting inspite of them Mark, you are the true champion!!
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Richard
on September 25, 2013Mark, Your drive was great to watch and I thought with the pace towards the end at least third was on the cards.
Once again RBR & team principal CH showed there true colours. Finger boy gets a car that does let him down, but your car has a problem once again and lets you down.
At least Renault provided you with an apology, nothing from RBR.
You have shown your self to be one of the best F1 drives who has conducted them selves on and off the track to be one of the most respected among your many fans around the world.
Best of luck for Korea and your move to Porsche in 2014. I will continue to follow your progress with interest.
Go Aussie Grit, you have done it before from much further down the field a podium result will be great. -
ClutchPointJohn
on September 27, 201310 Place grid penalty…..well worth the moment!
*** SITE MANAGER *** Hmmm, but it was a genuine sporting moment that will go down in the sport’s history and out-last the 10-place grid penalty. -
bruce
on September 28, 2013Mark, just got back from Singapore today, sat with some Aussies who all assume because I am English I support cry boy Hamilton. Would have been good to see you get on the podium.
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Chris
on September 28, 2013Six to go, big guy. You will be sadly missed as one of the true gents in f1. Wishing you all the very best from Scotland for the rest of the season and with Porsche in 2014.
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TRICKO
on October 2, 2013shame about the 10 places for korea but i think everyone is missing the point Mark didnt get a 10 place grid penalty for the Ferrari lift back he got it because he received his 3 rd reprimand! i love the guy and i was gutted in the first lap when he was told to keep a 2 second gap to Alonso WHY? oh yes of course so that the german could get a good gap. Mark knows rules are rules and the footage didnt show either him or Alonso in the best light when they hitched up for the lift.
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