Your Guide to the Singapore Grand Prix
Published by on March 21, 2023
The FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 is one of the most anticipated F1® events of the year. Racing under the lights of the famous Singapore skyline, the annual event has become famous for being more than just a race… it is an iconic sporting spectacle and a brilliant opportunity for fans to explore the sovereign island country and city-state at its best.
From a sporting perspective, the heat and humidity as well as the challenging close confines of the Marina Bay Street Circuit make for a brutal challenge for drivers and an exhilarating experience for spectators. Even the slightest lapse in concentration in these extreme conditions can and will cause the most experienced F1® drivers to come undone.
Off the track, Singapore’s already famous nightlife, shopping and food scene is bolstered by the reputation for attracting world-class entertainment to the stage on Grand Prix weekend, creating a unique festival atmosphere like no other on the Formula 1® calendar.
When is the 2023 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX?
The FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 takes place between September 15-17. Taking place a couple of months before the season’s end, you can expect teams to be bringing their A-game to Singapore as they prepare for the pointy end of the Championship.
What time does the SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX start?
Singapore is the ‘Home of Formula 1 Night Racing’, hosting the first ever Formula 1 night race back in 2008. The race starts at 8pm local time on Sunday 17 September and take place over 63 laps of the 4.928-kilometre track.
Where is the SINGAPORE F1 track?
The Singapore Grand Prix boasts the only street circuit in Asia, with cars racing around the Marina Bay Street Circuit in the heart of the city, adding to the exciting ambience and visual spectacle.
Who won the SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX in 2022?
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix, weathering a race of intense pressure from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and challenging weather conditions. Perez held his nerve throughout the entire two-hour duration of the Singapore Grand Prix, having taken the lead on the run to Turn 1. The two Ferrari drivers took the rest of the podium, with Leclerc having the measure of teammate Carlos Sainz.
Brief history of the Grand Prix in Singapore
First held in 2008, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix paved the way for racing under lights, which have become increasingly more common, with the 2023 Formula 1 season calendar featuring six night races.
Previously known as the Oriental Grand Prix, Singapore has a long racing history, hosting an annual race known as the Singapore Grand Prix ever since Singapore gained independence in 1965. Early races were held at the Thompson Road Grand Circuit until 1973.
Fast forward 35 years and all eyes in the motorsporting world were on Singapore for the first ever F1 night race around the only street circuit in Asia.
The inaugural race was won by Fernando Alonso after navigating his way from 15th places to cross the line ahead of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. It would later be revealed that Renault ordered Alonso’s teammate Nelson Piquet Jr to crash strategically so that the safety car would be released an Alonso would gain a convenient pitstop.
And who could forget the famous site of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa exiting his pit stop with the fuel line still attached, in a dramatic scene that would lead to the rule change that all cars must be fuelled for the entire race to avoid such incidents in the future. Massa had a comfortable lead at the time of the incident, after which he needed to stop to have the fuel line disconnected.
Since the dramatic first year of racing, Singapore has seen many great battles around the famously tight turns of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Sebastian Vettel reigns supreme in Singapore winning five times, with Lewis Hamilton close behind with four victories.
Mercedes and Ferrari are joint leaders as constructors, having both won the race four times.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit
The Marina Bay Street Circuit winds through the heart of Singapore with the city’s famous skyline as a spectacular backdrop. As well as being one of the most spectacular, the circuit is considered one of the most physically demanding. Its bumpy street surface couple with humid conditions and challenging time zone gives the drivers and teams plenty to think about!
Changes to Marina Bay Circuit in 2023
Things will look a little different in Singapore this year with the Marina Bay Circuit making some changes to its layout.
Redevelopment works near the tack means that the section between Turn 16 and 19 will now become one long 397.9m straight, reducing the total number of corners from 23 to 19 and the circuit length reduce from 5.063km to 4.928km. The number of laps will increase from 61 to 63.
🚨 The Marina Bay Street Circuit will be updated from 2023 due to the redevelopment of The Float at Marina Bay into "NS Square". The #F1 #SingaporeGP track will be reduced to 4.928km with Turns 16 to 19 re-aligned into a straight. More info at https://t.co/b54sENWDYu pic.twitter.com/YUpqwL6MFg
— SingaporeGP (@F1NightRace) October 19, 2022
Marina Bay Circuit Key Facts
Circuit Length – 4.928km (reduced for 2023)
Number of Laps – 63 (increased from 61)
Race Distance – 310.46km
Max Speed – 323km/h
Where is the best place to watch?
You really can’t go wrong but Turn 1 Grandstand covers all bases well. You get a great view of the start of the race and get to witness the cars accelerate down the pit straight and into the first corner, before breaking hard and watching from behind as they whip through Turns 2 and 3 and then out of sight.
Sportsnet’s FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 travel packages include access to the top grandstands, as well as combination tickets that allow you to access numerous grandstands over the weekend.
Get in touch with our expert consultants today to discuss your best options!
Experience the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 live
Experience one of the Formula 1 calendar’s most iconic and exciting events with a FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 travel packages. Our official travel packages include tickets, convenient local accommodation, top grandstand and hospitality upgrades as well as access to unique Singapore experiences off the track.
Sportsnet guests also get access to our exclusive Annual Pitstop Lunch to kick-start your Singapore adventure, where you will have the opportunity to preview the upcoming race and more through the eyes of special guest F1 personalities. Previous Sportsnet panel guests have included Mark Webber, Felipe Massa, Jamie Chadwick, Damon Hill and David Coulthard!