As one of the most anticipated motorsport events in Asia, the F1 Singapore Grand Prix made an exhilarating return to the Marina Bay Street Circuit last September. Magnifying the thrilling mix of high-octane racing action was a roster of world-class entertainment, adrenaline-pumping attractions, and vibrant festivities as part of Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) 2024.
Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, concertgoer, or simply a tourist seeking adventures, the GPSS is arguably one of the best times to visit the Lion City. This year, GPSS featured a jam-packed lineup across 10 days, beginning 13 September leading up to the main race on 22 September.
From the heart-pounding roar of the Formula 1 engines during the iconic night race to the electrifying after-parties and racing-themed dining experiences around the vibrant metropolitan, the event transformed Singapore into a hub of non-stop excitement. Ahead, follow FirstClasse along our first-hand experience of the highlights of GPSS 2024 for a glimpse of the thrills and spills of the season.
F1 Singapore Grand Prix
Lights out and away we go at the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix! (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Fans cheering on their favourite drivers from the Grandstands. The Marina Bay Street Circuit has a circuit length of 4.94 km, with 62 laps to complete. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Singapore's vibrant city lights and modern architecture form a picturesque backdrop for the racing action on track. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Crowds looking on in anticipation to watch as the drivers make their way around the corners of the track. The evening sky was adorned with a stunning firework display as Lando Norris crossed the finish line to claim his third win of the 2024 season. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Lando Norris (left) celebrates with the McLaren team alongside CEO Zak Brown. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) McLaren's Lando Norris took the top step on the podium, while his team mate Oscar Piastri claimed third place, sandwiching Red Bull driver and two-time world champion Max Verstappen. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) The McLaren team celebrating a successful F1 Singapore Grand Prix with both drivers on the podium, including a win! (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd)
Even the 30-degree heat and humidity in Singapore couldn’t stop visitors from a spectacular showcase at the 15th edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, which saw a sold-out crowd of 269,072 fans over the race weekend. This marked the highest attendance since the circuit was updated last year, following the redevelopment of the Bay Grandstand.
When the lights went out and the race got underway, all 20 F1 drivers put the pedal to the metal, reaching speeds up to 320km/h. Set against a backdrop of heritage buildings, modern architecture, and a stunning skyline featuring the iconic Singapore Flyer, the motorsport extravaganza was truly a sight to behold and an experience to remember.
Witnessing Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc making the charge from 9th to 5th place, Alpha Tauri driver Daniel Riccardo claiming the fastest lap (on his last race of the season too), and McLaren driver Lando Norris defending his pole position from qualifying day to the final lap in person made this Grand Prix a pinnacle of the 2024 Formula 1 calendar. Racing fan or not, the blend of adrenaline and picturesque sights was enough to keep anyone at the edge of their seats.
F1 entertainment
OneRepublic performed to a crowd of 50,000 people at Padang Stage. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Honne entertained crowds at the Padang Stage on Day 1 of the Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Thirty Seconds to Mars took over Wharf Stage on the first day and Padang Stage on the second day of the three-day event. Kylie Minogue got the crowd dancing along to throwback hits like 'The Loco-Motion' and 'Can't Get You out of My Head'. Disclosure turned up the energy at the Padang Stage on Day 2. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd) Lenny Kravitz closed off the Singapore Grand Prix weekend by rocking out to a 50,000-strong crowd. (Photo: Singapore GP Pte Ltd)
Aside from the racing action, the Circuit Park was home to four zones with a variety of entertainment and attractions. Music lovers and concertgoers were treated to a star-studded roster with headliners like Honne, Thirty Seconds to Mars, OneRepublic, Kylie Minogue, Disclosure, The Corrs, and Lenny Kravitz. (Tip: Opt for Zone 4 tickets if you’re mainly keen on attending the concerts!)
Besides that, there were roving shows, DJ sets, magic and circus acts, as well as dance and music performances to keep guests entertained at all times. Fans could also purchase F1 merchandise, see their favourite drivers at the F1 Fan Forum, and fuel up on food and drinks – all while soaking in the lively atmosphere.
License to Feast with 1-Group
The Glass Dome at Botanico, The Summerhouse offer a unique, romantic private dining setting. Botanico offers Asian grill cuisine using fresh, farm-to-table ingredients. The menu also features refreshing garden-to-glass cocktails such as Botanico Sling, a unique take on the iconic Singapore Sling.
Outside of the track, expect a slew of F&B experiences designed to further elevate the racing festivities. For instance, 1-Group – one of Singapore’s leading F&B, lifestyle & hospitality groups – presented us with a ‘License to Feast’ on a plethora of creative offerings across its dining establishments. Among them include 1-Atico, a popular rooftop lounge and dining venue; The Summerhouse, a dining destination comprising a cafe, restaurant, and bar; and The Garage, a multi-concept F&B spot.
We sampled several dishes at Botanico at The Summerhouse, which serves up Asian grill cuisine using fresh, farm-to-table ingredients in a unique garden dome setting. Paired with refreshing garden-to-glass cocktails, the meal left us utterly satisfied and ready for the F1 rush.
A Feast For the Champions at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
Meanwhile, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa cooked up a ‘Feast For the Champions’ exclusively during the race weekend. The resort’s signature all-day dining restaurant, Kwee Zeen, offered a menu featuring dishes inspired by seven F1 Grand Prix destinations across the globe. These included Melbourne, Barcelona, Monaco, Silverstone, Suzuka, Miami, and, of course, Singapore. Think dishes like Cuban Ham Croquettes, Aussie Meat Pie, and Hainanese Chicken Rice and Laksa, to name a few.
The Grande Whisky Speedfest
Home to an extensive collection of over 7,000 fine and rare Scotch and Japanese whiskies, The Grande Whisky Museum is a must-visit pit stop for whisky aficionados. During GPSS, the whisky destination played host to a week-long event featuring carnival games, racing simulators, and curated F1-themed cocktails by the bar’s own mixologists. Visitors could even try their hand at Red Bull’s Pit Stop Challenge for a chance to win Oracle Red Bull Racing merchandise or an exclusive tour to the Oracle Red Bull Garage on race day.
Unleash the Afterburn at Zouk Singapore
Formula One is famous for its after-parties and Zouk Singapore definitely lived up to the hype. Touted as Singapore’s most established night club, this nightlife hotspot brought the house down with high-energy sets by globally renowned Dutch DJ and producer Nicky Romero and hometown DJ Wukong over the race weekend. Our visit on 21 September saw a sold-out party fuelled by non-stop electric dance beats by the latter, celebrated for his Oriental Rave style and pop-culture inspired visual effects. As they say in Gen Z speak, it was lit.
LAP62 at HighHouse
Inspired by the 62 laps of the Singapore Grand Prix, LAP62 at HighHouse was a swanky party weekender featuring a roster of live music performances, brunch sessions, and gourmet dinners. We dropped by for the Brunch Session with Guest Chef Taro Takayama of his namesake restaurant Takayama, known for its kappo-style omakase. The comprehensive spread afforded live carving stations, fresh seafood, and decadent desserts – elevated by imposing panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline.
Scuderia Ferrari SF-17 Racing Car Display at Marina Bay Sands
Fans of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team had the pleasure of celebrating the Home of Champions at Marina Bay Sands, highlighted by a special display of the Scuderia Ferrari SF-17 racing car. Lucky guests and visitors could also catch glimpses of the marque’s two drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who made a special appearance at a fan event held at the hotel. As the official partner of the team, Marina Bay Sands further ignited the passion of the Tifosi (read: Ferrari supporters) by lighting up its facade and waterfront in fiery red hues.
There was so much more going on during GPSS 2024 that we couldn’t cover over our four-day trip, which only goes to show how eventful this period is for tourists. Given the chance, we’d definitely love to be back next year! To learn more about GPSS, click here.
Interest in the F1 Singapore Grand Prix for 2025 is no less promising, with all Super Early Bird (SEB) tickets already sold out in a record two days. Fans who missed out on the SEB sale can look forward to purchasing tickets in select categories under the Early Bird phase starting from 1 October at www.singaporegp.sg.
Photography: Anson Siau & Imran Sulaiman (unless otherwise credited)
Featured image: Courtesy of Singapore GP Pte Ltd