The F1 Co-op Season 2 delivered another thrilling chapter under the floodlights of the Singapore Grand Prix, with Kruimel taking a commanding victory while The Captain showcased defensive masterclass to fend off Fernando Alonso. With just four races remaining, the battle for second place in the drivers’ championship has reached fever pitch. Aston Martin celebrated their second Constructors’ Championship, cementing their dominance this season.
Qualifying Recap: Kruimel on Top Again
Kruimel secured pole position with a stellar lap of 1:25.508, asserting Aston Martin’s supremacy on the high-downforce Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Captain split the Aston Martins to qualify second, 0.402 seconds behind, while Alonso took P3. Lewis Hamilton managed P4 for Mercedes, with Lando Norris completing the top five for Red Bull.
Race Recap: Strategic Brilliance and High Stakes
The Start: Holding Back the Soft Tire Runners
Starting on medium tires, Kruimel and The Captain faced immediate pressure from Alonso and Hamilton, who opted for softs. Kruimel managed a clean getaway, while The Captain defended aggressively in Turn 1 to hold onto second. Alonso kept the pressure on, but by Lap 2, the top three had pulled away, leaving Hamilton unable to keep up.
Kruimel Pulls Away
In Lap 5, a minor error in Turn 1 saw The Captain drop out of DRS range from Kruimel, who seized the opportunity to increase the pace. Alonso, now within striking distance of The Captain, looked poised to attack but began to struggle with tire degradation on Lap 9, losing significant time to the leaders.
Pit Stops Shake Up the Field
The soft tire runners, including Alonso, pitted at the end of Lap 9, while Kruimel and The Captain stayed out, capitalizing on their more durable medium compounds. Both leaders eventually stopped on Lap 11, switching to hard tires, signaling a focus on control and tire longevity for the final stint.
The Captain emerged from the pits with a 1.5-second advantage over Alonso, who, on warm tires, quickly closed the gap. The battle for P2 intensified, with Alonso launching several attacks between Laps 13 and 16. Despite Alonso’s superior grip, The Captain displayed masterful defensive driving, using late braking and clever positioning to maintain his position.
Alonso’s Last Stand
By Lap 21 of the 22-lap race, Alonso’s mediums began to fade, and The Captain extended his lead beyond one second, breaking Alonso’s DRS advantage. Kruimel, meanwhile, cruised to victory, finishing 4.5 seconds ahead of The Captain, who crossed the line second, 2.3 seconds clear of Alonso.
Dominance and Drama in the Championship
With this result, Kruimel has extended his lead in the drivers’ championship to a staggering 90 points, while The Captain has narrowed the gap to Alonso to a single point in the fight for second. Aston Martin’s 41-point haul this weekend secured their second Constructors’ Championship, joining the ranks of historic teams like Renault and Brabham with two titles.
Post-Race Analysis: A Tale of Two Strategies
Kruimel’s race was a textbook example of precision and control, a reflection of his season-long dominance. In contrast, The Captain’s race highlighted resilience and tactical brilliance. Despite driving a Mercedes that remains inferior to the Aston Martin, he defended valiantly against Alonso, whose superior car and tire advantage were neutralized by The Captain’s sheer determination.
The disparity between Aston Martin and the rest of the field was stark. Alonso’s gap to fourth-placed Charles Leclerc was over 20 seconds, underlining the dominance of the green cars.
What’s Next: Texas Showdown
The next race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas could see Kruimel crowned a two-time drivers’ champion. If he keeps from losing 12 points or more over Alonso and 13 points or more over The Captain, the title will be his.
For The Captain and Alonso, the fight for second place is now the most compelling storyline as the season heads into its final stretch. With only one point separating them, every move on track will count.
The sun may have set on Singapore, but the F1 Co-op season’s drama is far from over. The Lone Star State promises another intense chapter in this gripping championship battle.
