The Singapore F1 Grand Prix was only first held in 2008, but there hasn’t been a lack of drama in the last 8 years. The safety car – which only appears along with obstructions or inclement weather – has made an appearance at every race since the first race, and that’s because our narrow street circuit is a magnet for the unplanned.
From (thankfully non-fatal) crashes and incidents at the pit lane, F1’s only night race is also its most exciting. And you can catch this year’s unscripted occurrence for yourself from $78.
Image courtesy of Singapore GP
That might sound like quite a bit, but it’s also about the price of a ticket to USS, or for date night at GV Gold Class on a weekend. Sure, those are fun too, but F1 only happens once a year, that’s why I’m totally cool with getting the tix.
Well, that and the fact that full-length concerts come free with the purchase of each ticket! I bet you won’t be able to get tickets for the artists’ standalone concerts at such a steal either, so let’s get down to business and have me give you a rundown on what you can expect from 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
What it is: Single Day (Friday) Zone 4 Walkabout ($78)
What you get: Access to full length concerts by Kylie Minogue and KC and The Sunshine Band, watch the practice race of the F1 and other supporting races, as well as the qualifying race for the Ferrari Challenge.
We can’t get her out of our heads, so the only cure is to feed our Kylie Minogue addiction further by going down and watching her live. But knowing us, we’ll probably give that idea up and get hooked onto catchy tunes from KC and The Sunshine Band too, which really doesn’t solve the initial problem.
Image courtesy of Singapore GP
Kylie’s the Goddess who sang Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, the same song that got me to Google “lalala nana nanana” in futile hopes of uncovering its name. Needless to say, I never found the song name that way, nor did I manage to shake the song out of my head.
Practice makes perfect. On Friday, you can see the F1 racers familiarise themselves along the Marina Bay Street Circuit and bounce back from their mistakes, or tweak their race strategy. All while dealing with our trademark heat and humidity, which can drive (haha geddit) cockpit temperatures to 60 degrees C.
You could also root for Singaporean driver Gregory Teo as he competes to qualify for the Ferrari Challenge, which takes place the same day.
Image courtesy of Singapore GP
Fuel up and recharge over at the Esplanade Park (Zone 4) – ticketholders can wine, dine, and kick back to resident DJs from iconic nightclub Zouk. You can even get festive with some new ‘ink’ at one of the Airbrush Tattoo booths, or try your hand at the Pit Stop Challenge and see how well you fare changing the tyre of a Formula 1 car replica!
What it is: Single Day (Saturday) Zone 4 Walkabouts ($168)
What you get: Access to full length concerts by Pentatonix, Bastille, and Queen + Adam Lambert, watch the qualifying race of the F1 and other supporting races, as well as the race for the Ferrari Challenge and TCR International Series.
There are songs that will always be classics at karaoke sessions regardless of the singing ability the group possesses, and one of those songs is Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. While many of us struggle to be the next Freddie Mercury at the nearest Teo Heng outlet, it’s clear that the only way to come close to his vocals is to have the legend rise from the dead.
Or, catch a performance by original members Brian May and Roger Taylor who now tour with American Idol alumnus Adam Lambert on Saturday.
And if that doesn’t get the music bean in you grooving, Bastille’s Pompeii and Pentatonix’s Can’t Sleep Love should do the trick.
Seems like we’re in for a ride with the usual champs defending their titles alongside competition from fresh blood. Expect an epic battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton as they zip their way to the top. Nico managed to snag Lewis’s victory in the Italian Grand Prix, and with only two points between them, you can bet he’ll go all out to secure his title.
Look out for Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon from Manor Racing, the revamped team name of Manor-Marussia, who are completely new to the game. Joining the club, is Jolyon Palmer, the son of former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer. Of the three, only Jolyon has had experience racing on the Marina Bay Street Circuit – he dominated the track, taking pole, fastest lap and the Feature Race win of the GP2 support race here in 2013.
Or, try to spot 18-year-old Max Verstappen, who became the youngest Grand Prix winner earlier this year in Spain.
What it is: Single Day (Sunday) Zone 4 Walkabouts ($198)
What you get: Access to full length concerts by Halsey and Imagine Dragons, watch the F1 and other supporting races.
Kick off the F1 party with sick beats and champagne. And who better than Halsey and her electro pop songs to get your adrenaline pumped before the big race? As a fan, I might be biased, but do yourself a favour and hit up Ghost and Colours – you’ll be a convert.
To end the festivities with a bang, Imagine Dragons will rock the stage with Radioactive, On Top Of The World and Demons. There’s possibly only one word to describe what your night’s going to be like: lit.
Image courtesy of Singapore GP
And if that’s not enough magic for the night, prepared to get mind-blown by English illusionist, Dynamo. Known for his death-defying acts like walking down the side of the LA Times building and levitating above Europe’s tallest building, he’ll be out and about the streets of the new Downtown Concept Area (Zone 4) on 18th September – so get ready to be enchanted.
Fun fact: Drivers change gears approximately 5000 times during the race, which means 80 times per lap. And you thought regular driving was difficult – welcome to the Olympics of the automobile world.
This year, the cars are equipped with new exhausts, making them even louder than before. Engines squeal at a timid 128dBA, which is almost the volume of a jet engine at taking off. Just try to keep in mind that the drivers probably can’t hear you screaming their names, so save that lung power for the podium celebrations. Get your cameras ready, as fireworks will go off once the chequered flag is waved.
What it is: 3-Day (Fri – Sun) Bay Grandstand ($298)
What you get: Access to full length concerts by KC and The Sunshine Band and Kylie Minogue, Pentatonix, Bastille, and Queen + Adam Lambert, and Halsey and Imagine Dragons. You also get to watch the F1 practice, qualifying and actual race, along with the three support races.
Image courtesy of Singapore GP
Honestly it’s pretty unfair when the entire music lineup for this year gets your soul jiving. Picking just one day for me is pretty hopeless, and no; it’s not because I’m a girl. If you’re like me and can’t decide, or you just wanna make the most out of the Grand Prix, there’s a 3-Day Bay Grandstand package that’s made for us.
Here’s the breakdown. 7 concerts, the buildup to the Grand Prix from practice to the qualifying race, and plenty of food options within the Circuit Park. Let’s throw in the view of the CBD + Marina Bay for bonus, and the fact that you get a seat to rest from all the partying. After doing the math, the kiasu Singaporean in you knows that this is the best deal.
Image courtesy of Singapore GP
Plus, you’re going to get the tickets for less with more people you bring. Make it a double date and the tickets will cost you $288 each, or grab your whole clique to get them at $278 when there’s eight of you! I really wouldn’t wait – tickets are selling fast and you’re not going to get this same chance twice.
Filled with food, adrenaline, concerts and cars, it’s not hard to see why the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists alike. And it’s not like you have to break the bank to catch a glimpse of all the action either; from as low as $78, you’ll get to be part of the experience and still make it home to see the entire race.
But since the Grand Prix only happens once a year, we think splashing out a little more for a 3-day pass would give you the greatest bang for your buck. There’ll also be other entertainment besides the concerts in Zone 4 itself, so you won’t have to worry about being bored.
This post was brought to you by Singapore GP.
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