Red Bulls dominate in Singapore

Vettel and Webber were the quickest drivers on the Marina Bay circuit during the second practice, ahead of Singapore’s Grand Prix. Both Red Bull drivers sent a warning to their competitors that they are big contenders to win on Sunday.

Vettel took the lead from early pace-setter Fernando Alonso to almost dominate the rest of the session.

While driving on softer tyres McLaren’s Jenson Button took Vettel from the lead, but as the German driver changed to super soft tyres he was able to take it back. Not only did he do that but he also extended his lead, consecutively beating his best lap, which put him a second clear of everyone else.

That advantage kept the same even when is team-mate came to the track, but the Aussie would cut the advantage of Vettel to 0.627s.

Alonso seemed the only one capable to threaten Vettel on top spot, he was quickest in first sector and quick in the second, but had problems on Turn 17 and went off to the escape road on the next corner. He tried to reverse but stopped as he reached the racetrack, having to abandon his Ferrari with 20 minutes still to go.

Alonso still managed to take fourth place in the practice session, just between the two McLarens, with Button in third and Hamilton in fifth. The top five contenders to the world title lead the way in Marina Bay.

Adrian Sutil was another driver that had problems during the second session. The Force India driver took a violent ride over the Turn 10 chicane kerbs. His car lifted and landed heavily on the next kerb, breaking its left front suspension.

Williams’ Rubens Barrichello had an encouraging run for his team as he was the sixth fastest of the session just ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

Mercedes was eighth and 10th with Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher splitted by Renault’s Robert Kubica. The Pole spent a lot of time in the garage as his car received special attention.

Nick Heidfeld took 13th, once again, just behind his Sauber team-mate Kamui Kobayashi. Christian Klien, also returning to F1, behind the wheel of the HRT, was the slowest driver on track, a second away from his nearest rivals and 8 seconds off the overall pace.