F1 Singapore Grand Prix draws 268,000 fans, 2nd highest on record

Singapore

THE Formula One Singapore Grand Prix recorded its second highest attendance in the night race's 12-year history, having pulled in 268,000 attendees over three days - despite the hazy weather.

In a press statement issued on Sunday an hour before the flag-off, Formula One (F1) race promoters Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore GP) said the turnout overtook last year's 263,000 and recorded the second highest attendance.

Apparently, the haze had not put a dampener on the appeal of the night race, which saw the world's fastest drivers pitting against one another wheel-to-wheel at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour with iconic heritage buildings, modern architecture and a glittering skyline as backdrop.

This year's marquee race has been threatened by haze, with Singapore hit by the worst air pollution in three years. Raging blazes in Indonesia have been spewing haze over neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, putting the air quality at unhealthy levels across the city as F1-goers geared up for the final race on Sunday.

Hotels in the Marina Bay circuit area were reportedly fully booked or close to full capacity over the past weekend, according to an earlier news report.

Trackside hotel JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach was fully booked. Other nearby hotels, including Fairmont Singapore, Swissotel The Stamford and Pan Pacific Singapore, reported being 90 per cent occupied for the weekend.

National carrier Singapore Airlines has recently extended its sponsorship for the race for another two years till 2021.

The mainboard-listed aviation company signed as title sponsor in 2014 for four years and subsequently extended it for two years through 2019.

Local telco Singtel was the title sponsor for the first six editions of the race, which has been described as F1's crown jewel.

The Grand Prix has generated incremental tourism spending totalling about S$1.4 billion for Singapore over the past decade. The government funds 60 per cent of the cost of the race, which now works out to about S$135 million annually.

Singapore GP - backed by hotelier Ong Beng Seng - covers the balance.

To appeal to race fans and non-race fans alike, the event aims to deliver a carnival-like atmosphere, with scheduled performances taking place around the Marina Bay circuit.

Headliners in this year's performers line-up include Swedish House Mafia, Muse, Gwen Stefani, Fatboy Slim, Hans Zimmer, as well as Toots and the Maytals, with Red Hot Chili Peppers.