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I’ll post the update we just received from bookf1, in case it is of use to anyone (hope that’s ok Keith!)
After Lewis Hamilton dominated practice and qualifying at last weekend’s Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix, he suffered from a faltering race day start and teammate Nico Rosberg shot into the lead. Hamilton was unable to surpass his team mate’s pace and Rosberg took the chequered flag, reducing the Championship title race down to just two points between first and second place. There has also been plenty of buzz off the track this week, with Felipe Massa announcing his retirement at the end of the season, British favourite Jenson Button signing a new contract with McLaren but with a year away from racing, and Liberty Media confirming their purchase of a controlling stake in Formula 1.
As the F1 Paddock packs up and leaves Europe for the last time in the 2016 season, we are looking ahead to the shining lights of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix night race. In preparation for your visit, we wanted to get in touch and highlight some key information to help you get the most out of the race weekend.
Entertainment Highlights
For 2016, Marina Bay Street Circuit have put together a spectacular line-up of musicians and artists, so fans can look forward to some stellar entertainment at this year’s Grand Prix! Friday kicks off with international Pop Princess Kylie Minogue, who will perform on the Padang stage after the on-track action. On Saturday, fans will be treated to two concerts, with British rock band Bastille playing before qualifying and international legends Queen + Adam Lambert continuing the party after the on-track action has finished. On Sunday the entertainment will continue all day with a further two concerts; New Jersey singer-songwriter Halsey will perform before the main race on Sunday and then to round off this incredible line-up, Imagine Dragons will take to the stage after the chequered flag. The evening concerts will take place at the Zone 4 Padang stage. All ticket holders with entry for the relevant day will have access to these concerts.
Fans in Zones 1 and 2 who want to get to the concerts can use the track to get to Zone 4 once the on-track action has finished each day. In order to do this please proceed to Turn 20, by the Singapore Flyer, and await the all-clear from event staff to proceed down the track.
In addition to these fantastic performers on the Padang Stage, there will be several other performances on the Zone 1 Sunset Stage, the Zone 1 Village Stage, the Zone 4 Coyote Stage, and the Zone 4 Esplanade Outdoor Theatre Stage.
As well as stage acts, there will also be roving performers entertaining fans all around the track over the race weekend. Watch out for British Illusionist Dynamo, who will be roving Zone 1 on Saturday and Zone 4 on Sunday. A summary of the entertainment highlights including locations can be found in your bookF1.com online account.
Race Weekend Travel
Due to the road closures that are required for a street circuit, the best way to reach Marina Bay is using public transport. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is Singapore’s subway/metro system. There are six MRT stations that serve the circuit entrance gates and extra trains will be put on, along with extended opening times for the Formula 1 event. Your ticket will specify the recommended entry gate/gates for your viewing area. Please be aware that there are some changes in gate numbers from previous years, so check the gate that you need on the circuit map provided with your tickets. This can also be downloaded, along with the Parking and Pedestrian Routes Map, from your bookF1.com online account. These will outline the best routes to access your gate and grandstand each day.
Fans with Zone 3 (Bay Grandstand) tickets can enter in any gate in Zone 4. However, please note that fans cannot enter via Gate 9 on the Helix Bridge as this is in Zone 2.
There will also be a shuttle bus running between Lavender MRT station and Gate 1 of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Please only use this service if you intend to enter the circuit at Gate 1.
Alternatively, there are a range of designated taxi points located around the entrance gates for both arriving and departing from the circuit. The locations of these taxi points can also be found on the Parking and Pedestrian Routes Map.
Extra Tips
The circuit will be open from 2.30pm each day, Friday to Sunday. Weekend ticket-holders will have a ticket for each individual day so please ensure you bring the correct ticket with you.
Marina Bay Street Circuit does not allow food and drink to be brought into the park (except one 600ml bottle of water per person) but refreshments can be purchased from outlets once inside the circuit area. There are a large variety of different food choices available throughout the circuit, including vegetarian and halal options.
Many of the food, drink and merchandise outlets will accept card payments, however it is recommended that you bring cash to the circuit park. ATM machines are available, and accept most local and international cards, but you may experience long queues at these points.
Flags and laser pointers are also prohibited and due to limited space the circuit ask spectators not take bulky items such as folding chairs, bicycles etc. Bag checks will be carried out on entry into the circuit, and for this reason, Marina Bay Circuit request all spectators minimise baggage where possible to avoid long delays.
Try to travel light in comfortable clothes and shoes, and you may want to consider taking a camera for personal use and ear plugs to help reduce the engine noise. Binoculars can also be a great addition for seeing the on-track action and TV screens up-close. Umbrellas are permitted in the grandstands, but these may only be used in the case of wet weather, and are not permitted as a method of protection from the sun. Additionally, survival kits which include ear plugs and a poncho will be available to purchase for $2.00 from the vending areas.
If you have a personal radio, tune in to 102 FM to listen to live commentary. The Official Spectator Guide will be available to pick-up on arrival at the circuit. You can also download the free Official Singapore GP App from the iTunes App Store (iPhone/iPad) and Google Play (Android) to keep updated on all the race weekend excitement.
Please be aware that there will be a very large number of spectators exiting the venue at the same time to get home. Therefore, the circuit kindly request that fans are patient as organisers try to get everyone safely out of the venue as quickly as possible.
Special Promotions
Fans with access to Zone 1 can use the Singapore Flyer for free over the race weekend. To make the most of this special offer, Zone 1 patrons can simply show their official race tickets at the Singapore Flyer ticketing counters over the race weekend, as you will not need a separate ticket.
Marina Bay Street Circuit is offering a number of special promotions for other events in and around Singapore. From world-class entertainment, nightlife, dining to shopping take advantage of these offers between the 9th-18th September and immerse yourself in the Grand Prix Season Singapore! Further information on the offers can be found in the Tourism Guide in your bookF1.com online account.
New for 2017, Madame Tussauds Singapore have devised a special programme to compliment the F1 fever. They will have an exclusive photo opportunity for the Grand Prix Season, whereby guests can hop onto the podium and take a photo with the waxwork of their favourite racing champion! Furthermore, F1 ticket holders will get 20% off admission if they show their F1 ticket at the counter, as well as 50% off photo purchases.
Weather
The weather in Singapore is likely to be hot and humid with temperatures in the low 30’s (degrees centigrade), and then dropping slightly, to high 20s (degrees centigrade) in the evening. Although September is one of the lower rainfall months, showers are currently expected over the race weekend. As the grandstands are uncovered it’s worth being prepared for all conditions by bringing sun protection and plenty of water to stay hydrated and packing a poncho or raincoat. To help plan your day, it’s worth checking the weather each afternoon before you visit:
Our tickets arrived last week (from bookf1). The enclosed circuit guide has a pretty good list of what you can and cannot take into the circuit. For drinks you’re limited to a bottle of non-alcoholic drink.
A brief video of the different engine sounds here:
More photos uploaded now too, from Day 3 of testing:
A few pictures from yesterday https://www.flickr.com/photos/gregkingston/albums/72157665203772401
Just about to arrive at the circuit for hopefully another good day.
For those who attended the first test, can you report how much busier the circuit was on days when Alonson was in the car? Jerez used to be pretty quiet on other days, and was then packed to the rafters when he was driving.
I’m not sure about shuttle buses – never seen those before.
They’re a little strict on alcohol – you can take it in but they may insist you remove the tops of the bottles, preventing you from taking lots of bottles into the circuit.
Im not going until the second week, so perhaps someone from the first test can post an update on logistics and other things back here?
Bradley – you need to go down the hospitality route for paddock access, and even then it will be guided supervised.
@Ty – hospitality is being offered up by some of the teams but it is expensive. Red Bull is something like €700 for a day.
I think the annual pass is great value if you’re also planning on attending some of the race events – MotoGP is there in June as well.
If you’re just going for F1 testing then I would say no – stick with day passes.
@F1antics – I’m looking for VIP passes as I type! They seem to vary hugely in cost and scope – I really just want to get into the paddock again for one of the days.
Emilio – just fyi the circuit will be selling tickets for testing on their website one month before the testing starts. Jerez was really busy on the days that Alonso was testing, with some people in queues for hours. I’m sure Barcelona will be the same so I highly recommend getting a ticket in advance if you can.
Bought my tickets for Singapore 2016 tonight. Thought long and hard about tickets for turns 2 and 3 but went for the cheaper option of Bay in the end. There’s not a huge amount of on-track action and the overall view from Bay is hard to resist!
We’re arriving in time to catch FP3 and qualifying. We then plan to watch the race, catch some of the post-race concerts and are then going off to Vietnam for 10 days. Staying in Clarke Quay so should hopefully be able to walk to the circuit fairly easily.
They’re easily twice as loud as Jerez last year, but that’s not a fair comparison as they got louder as last season went on. I don’t think the engines would really worry anyone sitting in the stands, but there were a couple of times (a couple only) in the past three days when, close to the track, you’d think that you’d like ear defenders.
Of course, put 18 cars on near enough the same piece of track and it will soon get loud enough. For me, the way the cars sound this year should utterly end the debate that started at the beginning of last season. They sound good, they all sound different, they sound interesting and they sound loud enough but you’re still able to hear the turbo, gearbox and tyres. Pretty much spot on at the moment.