Take F1 to the heartlands

Dhirendra Shantilal

Board Director & Head of Asia Pacific

Fircroft

THE Singapore Grand Prix (SGP) is indisputably an iconic event. The arrival of the unique night-time street race marked Singapore's emergence as an A-list world city. The race weekend in September sees the city completely transformed into a global epicentre of glamour, excitement and exclusivity. It is the last adjective that possibly needs to be re-considered.

A common sentiment online when the F1 festivities begin each year is that the entire event is the domain of the well-to-do and is out of reach for the average Singaporean. Bringing the event to more people would considerably boost the event's appeal. More affordable tickets (particularly for students and retirees), public viewing points, simulcasts at heartland locations, sponsored school trips with activities - these would help combat the perception that the event is inaccessible and unaffordable. If the cars (or models of the cars) could be taken to …