After epic F1 weekend, Singapore shows the world it is firmly back in business

IT is 11 minutes past 11 pm on a rain-soaked Sunday night, and the Marina Bay skyline is awash with colour and lights as fireworks soar into the air. 

It was a celebration for Sergio Perez, the 32-year-old Red Bull race driver from Mexico who, just seconds earlier, zoomed past the chequered flag to win the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in style.

It’s a grand celebration for Singapore too, with this marquee international event - the first race of a landmark seven-year renewal deal - making a chest-thumping return to these shores.