Apart from the races, there's a lot going on during the Singapore Grand Prix. Admittedly, it can get confusing. So here’s the lowdown on the entertainment lineup, hotels to stay in and even a breakdown of the various tickets.
We can almost hear the glorious sounds of Formula One cars tearing up the Marina Bay street circuit. This exhilarating night race will be rolling into town from the 14 – 16th of September and if you’ve never had the chance to get in on the action, this could be your year. Newbie or not, our handy Singapore Grand Prix 2018 guide will be of great use to you. From tickets, parties and even hotels to hole up in, here’s everything you need to know about the dynamic weekend.
So…what’s the race about?
Basic information, but we reckon it’s good to know. For the uninitiated, the track length is 5.065km (comprising of 23 turns) and drivers will have to complete a whopping 61 laps. Lewis Hamilton was last year’s winner but Sebastian Vettel has the most number of wins (four) since F1 first landed in Singapore in 2008.
Off-track entertainment
To tell the honest truth, many head down to F1 solely for the entertainment lineup. Little wonder why, year after year, the stage sees a stellar lineup of artists and musicians and this September is no exception. Mandopop titan Jay Chou will be kicking things off on day one and from then on it only gets better. American rock band The Killers will be back to rival the sounds of the cars and EDM giant Martin Garrix will drop his sick beats. Apart from these international superstars, a host of local artists will also be enchanting us with their talent. Catch vintage pop artist Miss Lou, the soulful Matteblacc, and mad moshing groups Eatmepoptart and Emonightsg.
For the full entertainment lineup, check out this story.
After parties that pack a punch
Your energy levels are running high and you’ve got plenty of fuel left in the tank. What do you do? Find an after-party, of course! Luckily for you, we’ve been in that situation before, and have since selflessly compiled a list of the top post-F1 party spots. Who knows? You might even run into a few race car drivers.
Podium Lounge
Ah, the granddaddy of F1 after parties. Like always, this year looks like it’s going to be epic too. This glamorous trackside party makes its home at the luxurious Ritz Carlton Millenia and provides a perfect enclave for revelry. The entertainment lineup this year’s pretty lit too – Boyzlife duo Keith Duffy and Brian Mcfadden on day one, Joel Madden on day two, and Taboo on race day.
It’s not just about the wild celebrations – art lovers can look out for Art Works, Singapore’s leading fine art investment gallery. They will be presenting an exhibition by British contemporary artist Lincoln Townley who’s known for his expressive figurative paintings. You can also be wowed by world famous speed painter Armin Flossdorf as he showcases his talents. He has performed at the highest level of motorsports events around the world, so we just know he’s gonna be fantastic.
We all know how charity plays a big part in every Formula One race. This year, you’ll have a chance to get your hands on some rare F1 memorabilia with all proceeds going to a local charity. Items include a Lewis Hamilton signed race glove, a Michael Schumacher signed full-sized helmet, as well as a huge checkered flag signed by 20 Formula One world champions.
Tickets for the Podium Lounge are available here.
Amber Lounge
For an opulent experience, this is where you’ll wanna be. Here, you can expect to see drivers, supermodels, celebrities and others who are 99% of the time more glamorous than you are. Fashion aficionados heads up, Saturday evening will kick off with the famous Amber Lounge fashion show with a runway presentation from international designers.
Following that, it’ll be all out fun. Jam along to music by international DJs, drummers and saxophonists. The best part? Free-flow champagne all night long. It only gets better on Sunday when the drivers move from the track into the lounge. Live acts and OTT celebrations will be the name of the game and we’re sure you don’t want to miss out on a party that has been seen the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Prince Harry. Snag your tickets, pronto!
Tickets for the Amber Lounge are available here.
Ce La Vi
Start off the night with a fabulous meal at Ce La Vi. Over the race day weekend, the restaurant is serving up specially curated five-course and six-course mod-Asian dinner with a pairing of fine wines. Had your fill? If you’ve spent over $150 at the restaurant, you can simply stroll in to Club Lounge for a wild futuristic party where several internationally renowned DJs and LED-clad entertainers will set an electrifying mood.
Ce La Vi, Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971
The Rich List
Look who’s making an entrance! Formula One fanatics will know of this luxury party collective’s Abu Dhabi and Monaco race days shindigs. Make your way to JW Marriott South Beach for an exclusive Grand Prix weekend party with a straight up insane view of the race. Sure, you can make reservations and pick a nifty table package (starting at $1000 up to $14k) or just get in touch with them to create a bespoke deal that’s tailored to suit your crew. You could also invest in a three-day pass ($19k) for 10 people that includes tipples and such.
The Rich List, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, 30 Beach Road, Nicoll Hwy, Singapore 189763
Mr Stork
Another race day favourite, Andaz’s Mr Stork is hosting a chilled out rooftop party. Head over to level 39 and soak in the sights and sounds for the Singapore Grand Prix. The stunning view of the skyline makes the perfect backdrop to dance the night away. Pick from three table packages ($500 ++) that’ll have to sorted for the night.
Mr Stork, Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street, Singapore 189354
Zafferano
Here’s one place that never disappoints! With a fabulous view of the Bay, pre-game at the Zafferano’s F1 free-flow Champagne brunch ($168++) or simply choose dine a la carte while peeping at the tracks. Need a free-flow party with a bird’s eye view of the tracks? Just hop over to the rooftop terrace lounge ($98++) for a luxurious experience.
Zafferano, 10 Collyer Quay Level 43, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315
All you need to know about tickets
We’ll admit, even we get confused by the different categories of tickets. Frankly, it resembles more of a wine list. Here’s the breakdown of the best tickets in the house:
For hardcore fans looking experience the thrill first hand, there’s really no better ticket than the Pit Grandstand (starting from $1088 for adults and $638 for children under 16). Apart from access to all four zones, you can witness the drivers tackle the final corner at 220km/h before they speed towards the chequered flag. What’s more, you’ll also be able to catch the spectacular fireworks at the end of the race. Only looking to get in on race day action? There’s also a single day Pit Grandstand ticket (priced at $888).
Watching drivers jostle off the grind results in some people saying the start of the race is filled with drama. We don’t disagree. That’s why the turn 1 grandstand and turn 2 grandstand tickets (booth $1288 for all days and access to every zone) seem like an ideal option. Who can ever forget Felipe Massa’s Ferrari sustaining a puncture in the first lap of 2012’s incident-packed race, following the collision with Vitaly Petrov’s Caterham.
If you’re the kind of person who has problems sitting still, then the premier walkabout (from $448 for three days) is for you. Enjoy your freedom to roam from bleacher to bleacher and catch the scintillating action from all over the track. You’ll get access to all zones too, so you can indulge in an array of entertainment plus food and beverage options. In case you’re wondering, yes, there’s a premier walkabout for just Sunday. It starts at $388 so it’s worth your money to go for the three-day pass.
Best hotels to stay in during F1
Snagging a good hotel room can make or break your F1 experience. All the better if your room serves up an insane view along with delish dining options in the vicinity. Whether you’re flying in from abroad or just craving to be up close with the revving engines, these hotels will do no wrong.
JW Marriott Hotel South Beach
It’s all about the super location for this international hotel, and by super, we mean right at turn seven of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Check yourself into paradise and enjoy dine out at the likes of Japanese restaurant Akira Back and Beach Road Kitchen (which has one of the best free-flow Sunday brunches, we say). When you’re not hunkering down by the sky gardens or outdoor pools, Suntec City is also a stone’s throw away, where you can unleash your shopaholic tendencies at the many upscale boutiques and outlets.
JW Marriott Hotel South Beach, 30 Beach Road Access via, Nicoll Highway, Singapore 189763
InterContinental Singapore
Located in the bustling Bugis district, this elegant hotel is the place to be. Its spacious rooms are decorated with a mix of British colonial and oriental influence and some of them offer quite the view of the F1 race. Looking for something to do during the day? Step out into shopping paradise – think Bugis Junction, Bugis+ or even take a stroll down the many alleys of Bugis Street where you can sample a wide array of food and clothes (bargaining works here). If you’re more into lounging around the hotel, InterContinental is also renowned for its extensive dining options, from Japanese food at Chikuyotei to European fare at Ash & Elm.
InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Rd, Singapore 188966
For a comprehensive list of the best hotels to accentuate your F1 experience, check this list out.
