Singapore - lizards on track!

 

 Singaporeans are  proud people. Whenever they come on vacation to Malaysia, they tell their Malaysian friends how clean Singapore is, They will proudly acclaim their roads are well structured, well planned, and maintained. Discipiline is everywhere, and there is no corruption or 'under the table money' as they call it, with their police officers and others. And how modern and sophiscated Singapore is, and the Singaporeans are, with the latest facilities and technology.

Their acclamation  mostly, seem to be true, as the Malaysian workers returning from there, vouch for it. So it was indeed a proud moment for them when the highly prestigious Formula 1  Grand Prix was held there recently. How internationally recognised and respected their nation was!

However, sadly, to their anguish and dismay, monitor lizards made dents in their pride. Yes, monitor lizards! The lizards  made it difficult for the drivers during the practice session,  in the meticulously  prepared race circuit, crossing the track at their whims, making the drivers wary. Yellow flags were also waved by the marshalls to warn the drivers of the lizards on the track. Speed and positioning were at risk! F1 aces,  Max Verstappen, and George Russel were vocal about them. Fernando Alonso seemed to have accidentally ran over one!

Thankfully, there was no mention of the lizards from any quarters on F1 final race day. So it was assumed the reptiles did not make any appearances on the track.

On the funny side, it seemed like bad omen for the afore mentioned drivers. Max Verstappen, who won the past 10 races, only came out 5th in this one! Fernando Alonso was 15th. Russell did not finish the race! His car crashed and stopped in the last lap of 62! He was in 3rd place at that moment! 

But, Singaporeans, please do not despair. This was not the first time animals had intruded on the race tracks. In 2011, a dog had run here and there on the race track of India during the practice session of the F1 Indian Grand Prix. In 2020,  the Bahrain Grand Prix practice session had also been interfered with by a dog. In the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix, a pair of seagulls stood blatantly on the track  while Sebastian Vettel was speeding towards them! And he had to maneuver around them! So, Singaporeans take heart! Fret not. Singaporean authorities, as well as the F1 race officials will, surely, monitor the reptiles' habitats and their movements closely, and take the relevant preventive measures so that these reptiles stay away from the races!

By the way, the Singapore Formula 1 GP was won by Carlos Sainz Jr. Second was Lando Norris. Louis Hamilton captured the third place. Congratulations to all of them. Congratulations also to the organisers and all the Singapore fans!