Race Facts – Singapore Grand Prix

Learn more about the history of the Singapore Grand Prix, which became Formula 1’s first night race when it joined the calendar in 2008

• The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix runs from October 3-5
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Formula 1’s first night race has firmly established itself as one of F1’s premier destinations thanks to its spectacular location on public roads set against a backdrop of the spectacular Singapore skyline, slick marketing and big name concerts. 

The Singapore Grand Prix has enjoyed strong financial support from the local government and recently signed a new long-term contract to remain on the schedule until at least 2028, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the inaugural event. 

While neighbouring Malaysia lost its place on the Formula 1 calendar in 2018 due to big financial losses, the Singapore Grand Prix continues to be a success and is a big draw for tourism in the city-state. The event attracts over 30,000 international fans to Singapore each September. 

While the inaugural race at Marina Bay Street Circuit attracted a weekend attendance figure of 300,000, spectator numbers suffered a short period of decline in the 2010s, reaching an all-time low of 218,000 in 2016. The coronavirus pandemic saw the Singapore Grand Prix cancelled in both 2020 and 2021. The event returned in 2022 and had record-breaking spectator numbers. 

Changes to Marina Bay Street Circuit

During the inaugural event in 2008, the track drew criticism from drivers who complained about the excessively bumpy surface, potentially dangerous pit entry, and high curbs. Whilst these issues were sorted out, it wasn’t until before the 2013 race that the FIA approved some larger changes to the configuration of the Marina Bay circuit. 

The “Singapore Sling” chicane at turn 10 was removed and replaced with a simpler, faster left-hand turn. Further minor changes to the layout of the track from turns 11 to 13 were made ahead of the race in 2015, mainly to improve overtaking opportunities.

The track then remained unchanged until 2023, when redevelopment work in the bayfront area saw the removal of the section of track between turns 16 and 19. The section was replaced with a straight and made lap times around ten seconds faster. A knock on effect of the removal of this section was the removal of the large and popular Bay Grandstand. As a result, total attendance attendance at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix weekend dropped by around 40,000 in comparison to the previous year – despite tickets still mostly selling out. Tickets sold out again in 2024, this time with weekend attendance increasing to almost 270,000.

Singapore Grand Prix: Did You Know?

• Seven drivers have shared victories at the 15 Singapore Grands Prix held since 2008. Sebastian Vettel (2011-2013, 2015, 2019) has the most victories, with five. Lewis Hamilton (2009, 2014, 2017-2018) has won four times, Fernando Alonso twice (2008, 2010), and Nico Rosberg (2016), Sergio Perez (2022), Carlos Sainz (2023) and Lando Norris (2024)have each won once.
• The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix was the first race at Marina Bay Street Circuit in which there were no Safety Car deployments.
• With frequent Safety Car periods, it’s not unusual for the Singapore Grand Prix to run to the two hour limit. Five races here have been won in a time of over two hours.
• Spare a thought for the drivers, who endure sauna-like conditions in the cockpit during the Singapore Grand Prix and can lose up to 3kg of fluid during the race. The circuit, with its bumpy surface and 19 turns, is one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar.
• Approximately 1600 custom-made floodlights are spread around the 4km Marina Bay circuit. The lights, four times brighter than at a regular sports stadium, are specially designed to minimize glare and surface reflection, and to meet F1’s TV broadcasting standards.
• No driver has recorded more than three retirements at Marina Bay Circuit – though there are plenty of drivers who have retired here three times. Among them are Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. 
• The 2017 Singapore Grand Prix was the first night race to be held in wet conditions. The race was also wet in 2022, with the start having to be delayed by over an hour due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. 
• Red Bull have had more podium finishes here than any other team. They’ve scored top three results 15 times in total. 2023 was the first time since 2009 that the team failed to finish on the podium in Singapore.
• Carlos Sainz’s victory at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix brought an end to Red Bull’s 15-race winning streak; the longest streak of wins for any team in F1 history. 

Memorable Singapore Grand Prix Moments

2008: Crashgate

The inaugural race in 2008 is best remembered for Nelson Piquet Jr’s infamous ‘deliberate’ crash which helped his Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso to a controversial victory. After being sacked by the team the following year, Piquet Jr claimed that he was following team orders. The results of the subsequent race-fixing investigation launched by the FIA saw Renault receive a suspended 2-year ban from the sport and two leading members of the team – Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds – banned from involvement in F1 for a number of years.

2010: The closest finish of the 2010s

The closest finish of the last ten seasons came at the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix, when Sebastian Vettel chased down Fernando Alonso for the victory. Such was the closeness of the 2010 title race, all of the top five in the Drivers’ Championship had the chance to be the new championship leader, depending on the result of the Singapore round. 

Alonso had started from pole and led the entirety of the race; but Vettel had closed to within a second of the Ferrari driver with ten laps to go. In the end, Alonso held on to win by just 0.293 seconds, and moved up to second in the championship as a result. The race is also memorable for a spectacular fire on Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus car in the closing stages. Watch highlights of the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix.

2017: First corner chaos

The 2017 Singapore Grand Prix was the first race at the Marina Bay Circuit to be held in wet conditions. Sebastian Vettel started alongside Max Verstappen on the front row, with Kimi Raikkonen just behind in fourth place. 

At the start, the Ferrari pair squeezed Verstappen, leading to heavy contact, which eliminated both Verstappen and Raikkonen. The Red Bull also swiped Fernando Alonso’s McLaren, who was also out on the spot. Vettel spun on his own oil before the next corner, leading to a rare double DNF for Ferrari. All of that resulted in a relatively trouble free run to victory for Lewis Hamilton. Watch highlights of the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix.

Singapore Grand Prix Facts

Circuit Name	Marina Bay Street Circuit
Race first held	2008
Track length	4.940km (19 turns)
Race distance	62 laps (306.143 km)
Lap record	1:34.486, Daniel Ricciardo (Visa CashApp RB), 2024
2024 Result	1st Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:40:52.571
	2nd Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +20.945s
	3rd Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +40.823s