Singapore Grand Prix 2008 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Fernando Alonso claimed a remarkable victory at Formula 1's inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, dominating the sport's first-ever night race at the spectacular Marina Bay Street Circuit. The two-time world champion controlled the race from an early safety car period, beating Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton under the floodlights in what would later become one of the most controversial races in F1 history after the 'Crashgate' scandal emerged in 2009, revealing that teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. had deliberately crashed to trigger the safety car that handed Alonso victory.

Starting from 15th on the grid after a poor qualifying session, Alonso's victory seemed improbable until Piquet Jr. crashed on lap 14, bringing out the safety car at the perfect moment for Renault's strategy. The Spaniard had pitted early and was running long when the safety car bunched up the field, allowing him to take the lead when others pitted under the yellow flags. From there, Alonso controlled the race brilliantly, managing his pace expertly around the demanding street circuit lined with unforgiving concrete walls. His victory seemed like a tactical masterstroke at the time, but the truth - that Renault had orchestrated Piquet's crash - only emerged a year later, leading to lifetime bans for team officials and Renault's narrow escape from being expelled from F1.

Rosberg drove superbly to finish second for Williams, claiming his best result of the season, while Hamilton salvaged crucial third place despite a disastrous pit stop where he left the pits with the fuel hose still attached, damaging his car and dropping him down the order. The British driver's recovery through the field limited the championship damage. Felipe Massa endured a nightmare race, spinning twice and finishing outside the points, handing Hamilton a championship lead for the first time since Hungary. The Singapore Grand Prix itself was a spectacular success as a sporting event, with the night racing concept proving visually stunning, though the race's result would forever be tainted by one of F1's biggest scandals.