I have one word for all of this:
WOW.
It was the exact break I needed from the studying, all of it. And it continues till Wed. Oh yeah.
It was a fine Friday morning (cliche start) that began this fairytale break. It continued on Saturday with me watching Devil with Jason and Wei Yi. To keep in touch with my studies, I did do a little bit of Math... And off to Qualifying. Honestly, I was already hyped up for all of this but whooo, the experience there really is different altogether. I swear, people pay good money to see cars zoom by but with good reason! The sound is one, but the thrill and adrenaline pumping action really sends shiver down your spine. It's that good.
Being there and being at home watching the race are two separate quantities that will never ever be the same!
Being treated with hospitality, seeing Sean Kingston, Adam Lambert and Mariah Carrey are just part of the side package. The real deal is watching those cars race it out to be champions in SG. For one, I really anticipated cars crashing out and I got what I wished for. Lap 32. Two cars crashed out under the Floating Platform Grandstand. Yes, it's the same spot where a couple of cars crashed out 2 years ago. We didn't see a crash last year and we saw Hamilton won it last year. I really didn't want both to happen again this year.
Out came the safety cars and we all know the whole race won't be the same again. Webber came from 8th to 3rd after a fast blitz that turned into a frenzy after the safety car came off. Hamilton got pushed off the track by, guess who, Webber his closest competitor to the Championship crown. Outta boy. And with all the luck in the world, we saw it right in front of our eyes in real time vision. No cameras, no replays, just the real deal. The crowd cheered as our dear World Champion throws his helmet out with disgust towards the incident. He is like the Manchester United of F1. He does have his fan base, but people just don't really like to see him win. The reaction from the Ferrari and Red Bull camp were of ecstasy, and we could tell why.
Lap 36: Schumacher crashes with another driver at, guess where, the same spot again. We really have to count our lucky stars! One hits the wall, while Michael swirls. But, Michael continues the race to the delight of the crowd. Nobody likes to see a quitter, and the way Schumacher responded to the situation showed why he's one of the greatest drivers of all time in F1. Kudos to him completing the race.
A few near-misses followed in between but just when you think the excitement will stop by lap 60, just two more laps before the end, think again. Because just around the loop at the Esplanade, Heikki swerved as he crashed with yet another driver. He too did a Schumacher as he salvaged the situation with a loud screech, but not for long. By the time he reached the pit stop, just one more lap before completion, his Lotus car burst into flames. It was really burning with an luminous orange flame and from there, we just watched with amazement at the incident. Not so much that the car was engulfed with fire, but more so with how Heikki reacted to it. He calmly got out of the car after 15 seconds or so and used an extinguisher to curb the flames. And not before long, the race was over with Alonso making his champion's greetings to the clearly entertained crowd.
The thrill we all saw on Alonso's face was clear for us to see. He was overjoyed with this victory. And when I saw that, I realised what racing was about: it was the thrill of driving, to be in an adrenaline pumping mood that really set your pulses running high and last but not least for the winner, the feeling of beating all your other competitors with the world watching, that must be the feeling of being top of the world.
So Webber's leading the Driver's Championship with Alonso just behind and Hamilton languishing to third place. Ferrari's fortunes have changed dramatically with three wins out of the past 5 races so they are right back at the top in the Constructor's championship too.
This race is indeed a season-defining one.
Though I may not have the chance to watch it again next year, I really can't wait to watch it again soon. It's not just a race, it's a party as well with loud music and booze so why not? But for now, reality is ready to bring me back to Earth as I prep up for the A Levels in 6 weeks. Yes 6 WEEKS. But I really couldn't have asked for a better break than this in SG. The fun ain't stopping tonight as I plan to play soccer and catch a movie with my pals with the small exception of Chemistry tuition at night. On Tuesday we are surprising someone and also heading down to Woodlands for a Hari Raya open house. I'm starting to get used to this and it is not a good thing!
Give me more F1 in SG soon please.
God Bless and Peace.
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