Just ahead of F1 fever hitting Singapore hard, IWC announced that they would create two setups, just a stone’s throw from their two boutiques here, in order to help put the island in the spirit of the race.
Running from the 10th to the 18th of September, the first set up, outside their Marina Bay Sands boutique would be a race simulator open to everyone to come and have a go at setting their best lap time possible.
Catch is, Lewis Hamilton was set to come make an appearance at the site to smash all set timings on the 14th. None the less, the person who manages to set the best time otherwise on the scoreboard is going to walk away with exclusive F1 swag signed by the World Champion himself.
The second, at the atrium of ION Orchard, IWC would recreate the experience of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team garage, where race fans are given the chance to enter their prediction for Nico Rosberg’s best lap time at the Singapore Grand Prix, on Sunday. The winning entry, or the closest prediction will stand to walk away with exclusive F1 gear signed by Rosberg.
Nico Rosberg, too, made an appearance, at the ION Orchard site on the 15th, to incredible fanfare where he took time to give out a few autographs and take countless selfies.
With the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team’s 2015 fortunes in mind, at the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix — fans of the team can breathe a massive sigh of relief as it was Nico Rosberg who set the fastest lap time at Friday night’s practice run putting himself at the front of the grid.
Lewis Hamilton, unfortunately is said to have experienced recurring hydraulic problems with his F1 W07 Hybrid, as well as some balancing issues due to the ultra soft tyres put on his car for the Singapore heat. He had to drop out of the practice early and is presently on the seventh position on the grid.
But, Saturday evening’s qualifiers’ run is the one that will determine the ultimate grid positions for Sunday — race-day (or rather, night — the Singapore race is after all well after dusk).
The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team has assured that they will be able to resolve the issues with Hamilton’s car ahead of tonight. It is imperative that they do so.
Of the 14 races that have already taken place, Rosberg’s clinched 7 wins and Hamilton, 6. Meaning to say that the there was just ONE which the team didn’t have a man on the top of the podium. This was at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which was won by 18 year old, Max Verstappen of the Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer team.
Otherwise, Hamilton and Rosberg have, no doubt, dominated the drivers’ standings this season and a 1-2 win on the podium in Singapore will essentially make the team untouchable with just six race locations left to conquer.
