Mercedes two to tangle in Singapore?
Not since the inaugural race in 2008 has there been as much anticipation over what will unfold this weekend along Marina Bay.
The 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix will feature the latest episode in what has developed into a fierce tussle between Mercedes rivals Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
With six races to go, Rosberg leads Hamilton by 22 points at the top of the drivers' standings.
Hamilton, however, heads to Singapore on a high after winning the Italian Grand Prix in Monza two Sundays ago.
While the Englishman accused Rosberg of deliberately crashing into him at the Belgian Grand Prix - something the German denied - both have since claimed there is no ill-feeling between the two camps, although race-watchers think otherwise.
It means all eyes will be on the Mercedes duo for the night race along downtown Singapore.
"It's great entertainment value for Formula 1 fans; it's like racing with a reality TV element to it," said Singapore racer Claire Jedrek, who competed in this year's Malaysian Super Series - the support race for the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
"I don't think the accidents between the two drivers have been on purpose, but when the two say what they feel after each race, it's good for the sport to have such shock value."
At the Monaco Grand Prix in May, a move by Rosberg in qualifying wrecked Hamilton's chances when he was on a flying lap.
Two months later, at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton refused to follow team orders that he should let Rosberg past.
At last month's Belgian Grand Prix, Rosberg's front wing sliced into Hamilton's left rear tyre, forcing the Brit to pull out.
Stuart Sykes, a consultant with race organisers Singapore GP, felt it was always on the cards that the duo would clash this season.
"In the past, it was a similar feud between teammates Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost," said Sykes, who has worked in Formula 1 for 30 years.
NO LOVE LOST
"And with Red Bull recently, there was no love lost between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, either.
"What would surprise me, though, is if the two allow their feud to cost Mercedes (the championship) in the end."
Jedrek, 31, believes Saturday's qualifying will be crucial because the one in pole position will be at a huge advantage as the tight, challenging Marina Bay circuit makes overtaking difficult.
Hamilton has notched up five poles and won four of those Grands Prix this season; Rosberg has won two from seven starts in first place.
Four of the six Singapore races were won by the driver who stared first on the grid.
Hamilton has won here once (2009), while Rosberg's best finish was last year, when he came in fourth.
Sykes says it is a toss up who will finish on pole, and believes that if the two Mercedes drivers do start on Row 1, then the first three turns will decide the race.
"Turns 1, 2 and 3 are very crucial on the Singapore circuit, and if Hamilton and Rosberg begin in the first row, then whoever manoeuvres those turns best will take it," he said.
Jedrek and Sykes are tipping the in-form Hamilton to win on Sunday.
Singapore's Yuey Tan, who competes in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, is going with Rosberg.
Said Tan: "Rosberg has shown how good he is at Monte Carlo (Monaco Grand Prix), which is also a street circuit.
"The concrete wall brings the best out of drivers.
"And with the best car, I think Rosberg will have this one."
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