SINGAPORE STREET CIRCUIT

Overview:

The 2008 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix was ground breaking in every way. Not only was it be the first ever street circuit staged on the Formula 1 calendar in Asia, but to add to the excitement it also run at night. Another first in formula 1 history.

With its dramatic city skyline and beautiful night vistas this venue is an Asian delight!

The street circuit comprises of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The circuit has been planned to maximise overtaking opportunities as well as providing fast and challenging turns.

Around 110,000 tickets were made available for the country's first Formula One race. Corporate hospitality suites and packages went on sale at the end November 2007, three-day passes to the public went on sale in February 2008. Single-day passes went on sale a month later. The event went on to achieve a full sell-out for all of its tickets.

The first race held at the new Marina Bay Street Circuit was the 15th round of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship, and was also the first night-time event in Formula One history. The timing of the night event meant that it could be broadcast live at a convenient time for European TV audiences. The track was also illuminated by a series of projectors which adapt their output to match the shape of the course.

For the 2009 race, the circuit was reprofiled slightly, including modifications to turns 1, 2 and 3 to aid overtaking, and also at turn 10 where high curbs caused many accidents in 2008.

Specifications:

• Circuit Length: 5.067KM
• Race Distance: 309KM
• First GP: 2008
• Race Laps: 61
• Direction: Anti Clockwise
• Turns: 14 left, 10 right
• Race Start Time: Proposed 20:00 Local Time
• Winner 2009: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes
• Lap Record 2009: 1:48.240, Fernando Alonso, Renault F1

History:

Prior to the 2008 race, the Singapore Grand Prix was the name of another motor-racing event held in the 1960s in another street circuit at Thomson Road.

First organised in 1961, the race was initially known as the Singapore Grand Prix. It was later renamed the Malaysian Grand Prix in 1962 and remained one of Singapore's major sporting attractions. The name changed to the "Singapore Grand Prix" from 1966 after Singapore attained its independence in 1965.

The event was discontinued after 1973 for a variety of reasons, including an increase in traffic and the consequent inconvenience of having to close roads for the event, and fatal accidents during the 1972 and 1973 races.

In November 2007 it was announced that the telecommunications company Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) will sponsor the event. The official name of the event will be the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. 

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