Term 4 Week 3 - F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Hey 5.5!
Whoo Hoo....! Caught the F1 race at home just this evening as I was glued to the screen for the whole 2 hour long programme live. The whole week, the TV has been all hyped up about the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the first ever night race in the world and first street circuit in Asia. Quite a big moment for our sunny island Singapore as we make history again with all these "firsts" records. Well, so much for Singaporeans to feel proud of! The street lighting itself is already a feat with thousands of generators powering the lights on the streets of Marina Bay. Three times the intensity of daylight!!! Talk about the use of electricity consumption, can you imagine???
i'm sure some of you must have been very fortunate to have tickets to the race and feel for yourself the electrifying experience at the circuit itself... Lucky you!!

It's been a really dramatic event in tonight's race as those of you who followed through would have known... Follow the link below for a brief summary of the race's key events and results.


http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/9/8451.html


It was indeed a race that was totally unpredictable and Alonso springing a surprise by winning the race gives us alot to reflect about as we approach OUR upcoming GRAND PRIX - The SA2 exams!!!

Now, as we gear ourselves up to prepare for the exams, are we putting in our best for the exam preparations? Just as the drivers need ample time to get used to the circuit track, are we practising enough and placing enough effort to fully equip ourselves for the actual exam?

As drivers seek to strategise how they can overtake other drivers along specific parts of the circuit tracks, will we be able to "overtake" ourselves in the upcoming exam to score better than you did previously in other tests and exams?
Have you thought of ways on how you could improve upon your current standard?

No one knows how the final results would be like until the exams are over.
Just like the results of the race was as unpredictable.

A classic example of sheer determination is shown by Alonso. While Alonso could have been a worthy contender in the qualifying races and practice sessions, he fared badly in the qualifying rounds due to technical faults in his car. Placed at 15th position at the start line of the actual, he still came back to overtake 14 cars to win the race following a crash of his team mate, Piquet.

On the other hand, Massa, who acquired the top position in the qualifying rounds lost his favourable position due to technical mistake at the pit-stop and for unsafe driving when he exited before another car.



As I watched the races, I realised that in F1 races, no one was a sure winner till the final lap was completed. There was just so much that could change the results of the race in a matter of 61 laps,with cars driving at full throttle speeds. From car faults to technical mis-communications and to lack of focus of the drivers'. There were so many variables that could affect the opportunities of winning the race.

Unlike some individual sports events, it wasn't just all about the driver's skills alone that could determine their win, but also the full co-operation of the team's car crew and mechanics who also greatly contributed to the success of a car winning the race. Importantly with the help of the crew at the sidelines who were always on standby, they helped to see the drivers through the full 61 laps of the race, making sure they captured every split second of the competition during pit-stops, enabling that the car performed in tip top condition.

Time is ticking by...are you making every second of your time in class worthwhile as you gear yourself for the final exams? Are you focused on your goal all the way?


While having a good qualifying position is ideal, but if the driver is overly confident, then all could come to naught. Same applies to those of you who have alot more kept in yourselves and you are just barely performing to the best of your abilities, are you doing yourself justice?



Being in a lousy starting position, like in the case of Alonso did not deter him, but he captured every opportunity he could to overtake and pull himself away from the rest of the slower drivers. How did he manage that? Did he get frustrated by his failure in the qualifying rounds and give up altogether in the actual race?

What are the lessons that one can learn from the race?

With consistent efforts, absolute focus on the goal and by making minimal mistakes, IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING!

Ponder over the questions raised above and post your thoughts of the race and of your personal "Grand Prix" in your personal posting of reflections!

Keep updated!