After a two-year hiatus, and incessant chatter in between on what its future on our shores would be like, it has finally been confirmed that Formula One is returning to Singapore. The online race calendar currently states that the Singaporean leg will be held between 30 September to 2 October this year.
Prior to the pandemic, Singapore had hosted the race 12 consecutive times since joining its global itinerary. Many of us will remember that the Singapore Grand Prix debuted as the championship's first-ever night race back in 2008, featuring a unique street circuit around our Central Business District.
The 2019 Singapore Grand Prix was won by Sebastian Vettel (second from right), then competing for Ferrari The event typically sees a flurry of activity on our shores, involving 30,000 workers at the Marina Bay Street Circuit each session, as roads are shut for the circuit to be constructed. It has also been lucrative, bringing in approximately $1.5 billion in incremental tourism receipts thus far.
With the pandemic initially appearing to throw a spanner into the works of talks on Singapore's future with F1, a new contract with the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) will now also see the race return annually to our shores until at least 2028.
This marks the fourth time that the contract has been renewed, and is the longest extension of the partnership thus far. It is hoped that having a longer runway locked in will allow Singapore to welcome tourists back as international travel slowly resumes.
It is still unclear if concerts - a huge part of the Singapore Grand Prix - will make a return As a new highlight reflecting an industry-transcending push for lower emissions, more attention will be paid to sustainability this time round, including increased recycling efforts and the undertaking of a full sustainability audit.
The organisers of the race have also assured that the health and safety of everyone involved will remain of the highest priority even as the pandemic continues to evolve.
At the moment, it is still unclear if performances will feature as part of the race. Juggernaut international and regional acts, including Jay Chou, Mayday, Ariana Grande and Maroon 5, have been an indelible part of the Singaporean Grand Prix for many fans over its past 12 iterations.
All images provided by Singapore GP Pte Ltd.
Prior to the pandemic, Singapore had hosted the race 12 consecutive times since joining its global itinerary. Many of us will remember that the Singapore Grand Prix debuted as the championship's first-ever night race back in 2008, featuring a unique street circuit around our Central Business District.
With the pandemic initially appearing to throw a spanner into the works of talks on Singapore's future with F1, a new contract with the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) will now also see the race return annually to our shores until at least 2028.
This marks the fourth time that the contract has been renewed, and is the longest extension of the partnership thus far. It is hoped that having a longer runway locked in will allow Singapore to welcome tourists back as international travel slowly resumes.
The organisers of the race have also assured that the health and safety of everyone involved will remain of the highest priority even as the pandemic continues to evolve.
At the moment, it is still unclear if performances will feature as part of the race. Juggernaut international and regional acts, including Jay Chou, Mayday, Ariana Grande and Maroon 5, have been an indelible part of the Singaporean Grand Prix for many fans over its past 12 iterations.
All images provided by Singapore GP Pte Ltd.
