The Race
It all started in May 2007 when Singapore GP Pte Ltd was founded and then acquired Formula 1 rights for 5+2 years starting the 2008 season. August 2007 marked the groundbreaking of the Pit Building of the Marina Bay Circuit, while in December, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) finally approved the concept of the first ever night race in F1 history.
September 2008, the month of the first Singapore Grand Prix, FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting declared the 5.079 track to be compliant of the requirements of the FIA and can henceforth be utilized for international races. The same month, Fernando Alonso (below in his 2010 win) in his Renault won the inaugural title.
After only its first season, the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix had already clinched several awards: Motor Sport Facility of the Year, Autosport Pioneering and Innovation Award, Promoter of the Year Award, and Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism.
The succeeding two seasons were made even more exciting as the track was continually modified before and after seasons. In the 2009 season, Lewis Hamilton of McLaren won the championship, while in 2010, Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari scooped the title the second time.
This year, the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix or the “jewel of the Formula One crown” will be unpredictable as ever as five former champions will be pitted against returning drivers and a new breed of drivers amidst numerous technical rule changes. Further, there will be 10 hours of track action that will also feature accessory races, the Porsche Carrera Cup and the JK Racing Asia Series; three race days from September 23 to 25; and a high-octane 61-lap race with speeds of up to 300 kph.
The Circuit
The Marina Bay Street Circuit is so impressive! The entire circuit park is expansive at 686,690 square meters and is equipped with a 350 meter pit building, 2,600 concrete barriers, 1,695 Techpro barriers that took 21 days to install, 2,640 tires for all race cars, 469 fire extinguishers, and 10,000 meters of debris fencing. As it is a night race, it is geared with an incredible 1,500 lighting projectors to illuminate the entire circuit as if it were day.
CNNGo commended the grand prix as the “Best Global Showcase of Singapore.” It is a well-deserved feat, as the circuit was constructed right in the heart of Singapore, and it showcases the most iconic landmarks—from the colonial to the modern, including:
The Old Supreme Court is one of the fine buildings in Singapore, dating back to 1939. Beside it is the City Hall (left) that was built in 1929. The City hall played host to important historical events like the Japanese surrender in 1945 after World War II and the unilateral declaration of independence of Singapore from Britain by Lee Kuan Yew in 1963.
The Padang, which is ‘playing field’ in Malay, is skirted by the race circuit. It used to be the center of sporting events and social gatherings back in Singapore’s colonial times. Nowadays, it is still used as a recreational space, and it will host the grand prix concerts that will have an expected audience of 30,000 spectators.
The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall has a 150-year history. This Victorian-era structure features a distinctive Palladian clock tower, Italianate windows, and rusticated columns and was originally built as the town hall of the young colony. Once also utilized as a hospital and war crime trials court, this landmark has definitely seen a rich past.
The Merlion is Singapore’s national icon. Built in 1972 at 8.6 meters tall, it has been relocated three times. The lion’s head represents Singapore as the ‘lion city,’ and the tail of the fish commemorates Singapore’s humble beginnings as a seafaring village.
The Esplanade is often compared to the tropical fruit durian for its thorns, but it is actually a venue for concerts, recitals, and other performances. Its acoustics are state-of-the-art, and it is one of the five halls in the entire world that features such acoustics.
The steel-and-glass Helix Bridge was opened just last year and features a unique double helix design, which is a first in bridge designs. Offering pedestrian access between the circuit and Marina Bay Sands, it also gives spectators stunning views of the city's skyline.
The Singapore Flyer is currently the world’s largest observation wheel that gives visitors spectacular views of the city-state. Its car parks will host support races, such as the Porsche Carrera Cup and the JK Racing Asia Series. What's more is that Zone 1 and 2 ticketholders will have complimentary access to the Flyer.
Here is a map of the Marina Bay Street Circuit (or download the full PDF version here):
To complement what I’ve written above, here is a preview video of the circuit: