1. Dress appropriately
With fiery competition on the track and the tropical sun in the sky, the heat is really on throughout the race weekend. Although it is a night race, the gates open at 2.30pm and with so many activities going on in the Circuit Park, you will have a lot of ground to cover! So put on your summer gear, apply sunscreen, drink a lot of water, and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as you explore the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
2. Bring the right tickets for the right day
Tickets to the 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX are only valid for the date stipulated on the ticket. So do ensure that you bring along the correctly labeled pass for each day before making your way to the Circuit Park. Your ticket also allows you to leave and re-enter the Circuit Park at any time. The nearly 85,000 patrons expected to descend upon the Circuit Park on each day will make for heavy pedestrian traffic so if you leave the grounds, make sure you allocate enough time to get back to the Circuit Park before the race begins.
3. Travel light and don't bring prohibited items
Keep your bag as light as possible. Carrying a small bag with only the necessary items will help you pass through security clearance at the gates and make exploring the Circuit Park easier. Do note that there is a list of prohibited items, which can be found here (Clause 8). As there are no lockers to store prohibited items, make sure you do not have these in your bag before your leave home.
4. Why drive and park? Take public transport
Singapore's superb public transport will be beefed up on race weekend making it the best way to get to the Circuit Park. There are six train stations serving the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with train operating hours extended until 1am. Operating hours for selected feeder bus services will be extended to match the last train service during the three race days. Free shuttle buses are also available between the Lavender MRT station and Gate 1 of the Circuit Park.
Alternatively, spectators can access the Marina Bay vicinity and alight at Centennial Towers, Funan DigitaLife Mall and Peninsula Excelsior taxi stands to get within walking distance to the nearest gate(s) over the race weekend. Plan your route prior to the arrival by checking out the Road Access Plan on the Land Transport Authority website to ensure a smooth journey.
5. Pick up a Survival Kit
The event goes on rain or shine, and the roar of an F1 engine is incredibly loud so make sure you are prepared with a survival kit containing a poncho and a pair of earplugs. Survival kits can be purchased at all entry gates for just S$2. Proceeds go to the Institute of Technical Education and St. John Ambulance Singapore.
6. Map out your day
The Circuit Park is divided into four zones, each having its own entertainment, food and beverage offerings, so get a map at the gate or from the ushers and take the time to familiarise yourself with what is available within the zone(s) that your ticket gives you access to. Walkabout ticketholders – check out the splendid views of the race action from the various bleachers strategically located along the track!
Also don't forget to plan your route to the Padang stage for the concerts or your exit from the Circuit Park. Keep in mind that the easiest way for you to exit the park may not be through the same gate you came in. Zone 1 ticketholders will be able to take advantage of a one-hour 'track invasion', by taking a shortcut down the track to the Padang after the last track activity of the day.
Whilst in the Circuit Park, look out for Petrol Ed and take a photo with him. Upload your most creative shots of you and Petrol Ed to the Official Singapore GP Page on Facebook to win exclusive prizes!
7. The Official Singapore Grand Prix Mobile App – your personal race weekend guide
Download the free Official Singapore Grand Prix App from the iTunes App Store (iPhone/iPad) and Google Play (Android) to stay updated on all the race weekend excitement. The app can even act as a mini guide – from anywhere in the Marina Bay Street Circuit, simply key in the Circuit Park destination you would like to head to and the app will show you the best route to get there!
8. World-class entertainment at Padang main stage
The massive stage at the Padang will host the world's finest entertainment – Chinese megastar Jay Chou (Friday), chart-topping duo Bananarama (Saturday), three-time Grammy Award winning pop sensation Maroon 5 (Saturday), English rock legend Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (Sunday) and global pop diva Katy Perry after the race champion is crowned (Sunday). All you need to enjoy each of these performances is your race ticket! To get closer to your favourite artistes, be sure to grab a Fanzone wristband for each day. Limited Fan Zone wristbands will be given out from 2.30pm daily on a first-come-first-served basis, behind the sound console at the Padang. Wristbands are only valid for the day's performance.
9. Enter the F1 Village to enjoy a racing experience like no other
Don't miss interactive photo opportunities at the 'podiums' or with our driver standees, get inked by temporary tattoo artists, and challenge yourself with our racing simulators at the F1 Village (Zone 1 & Zone 4). You can also purchase exclusive Formula One team memorabilia here.
There are also booths across the Circuit Park that sell exclusive 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX merchandise. Outside the Circuit Park, merchandise may also be purchased at selected outlets; click here for the catalogue and full list of authorised retailers.
10. Non-stop action on the track
This year's Grand Prix features three top-class support races. Combined with the Formula One cars, petrolheads can expect to see over 100 of the world's finest cars taking to the street circuit. Catch local drivers battling Asia's best in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Asia Pacific and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. Also, be sure to watch future Formula One drivers battle it out in the GP2 Series. Of the 24 drivers in Sunday night's race, half of them cut their teeth in the series and six of them were GP2 champions including Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
11. Iconic '80s superstars
When it comes to music, this year's event really does have it all. Punk rock group The Pretenders will perform chart-toppers like 'Brass in Pocket'. Bananarama, world record holders for the female group with the most chart entries will also perform their smash hits like 'Venus' and new tunes from their latest album Viva. And you won't have to walk 500 miles to hear The Proclaimers belting out their unique brand of Scottish folk rock with foot stompers like 'I'm On My Way' and new material off their album Like Comedy.
12. Free rides on the Singapore Flyer (exclusive to Zone 1 and 2 patrons)
At an atmospheric 165 meters, the world's tallest observation wheel offers
bird's eye views of the Marina Bay Street Circuit and the stunning
Singapore skyline. Zone 1, Zone 2 and Premier Walkabout ticketholders can
enjoy free, unlimited rides (subject to capacity). There will be dedicated express
lanes open to Formula One Paddock Club™ and hospitality suite patrons as well.
The food outlets located at the Singapore Flyer including Popeye's Louisiana
Kitchen, Gelatissimo, and the 1960's hawker-themed Singapore Food Trail will
remain open to all Zone 1 and Premier Walkabout ticketholders.
13. Visual Feast
While the 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX showcases the finest drivers in the world, the Marina Bay Street Circuit Park will also showcase some of the finest works of art. Where else can you find a 6-storey tall handmade Ballerina puppet complete with aerial dance troupe (Zone 4), an illuminated diorama of the solar system (Zone 4), four specially commissioned graffiti artwork from Asia’s most sought after street artists (Zone 3), 60 six-metre tall multi-hued flags greeting guests as they enter Gate 1 (Zone 1), an interactive colour cube (Zone 1) and witness 3D street art come alive before your very eyes, courtesy of master illusionist Leon Keer (Zone 1) – all in one Circuit Park?
14. Photo Opportunities
How often do you get to watch motorsport's fastest cars race around the streets of a pristine metropolis in tropical Southeast Asia? Photo opportunities abound and shutterbugs will certainly not want to miss a shot of the Formula One cars' livery illuminated under 1,500 lighting projectors. Don't miss the Drivers' Track Parade as your favourite driver waves to you at 6.30pm on Sunday!
The action doesn't stop once the track is cold – there are also performances happening all day throughout the Circuit Park and numerous works of art that make for remarkable shots. For the enjoyment of other spectators, note that tripods and monopods will only be allowed in the general walkabout areas and not into the grandstands.
15. Fireworks on the streets meet fireworks in the sky
Stick around after the fireworks finish on the track to catch an amazing fireworks display over the Marina Bay. Keep a lookout for the fireworks behind the Pit Grandstand and across the city skyline after the chequered flag is waved.
16. Indulge in Singapore's favourite pastime
Wine and dine at the Singapore Grand Prix with an extensive range of food and drink options, featuring international cuisine from Argentina to India. Located within the Circuit Park are a myriad of dining outlets selling fresh oysters from the Market Place, authentic French soup from Saybons, and tantalising Persian wraps from Shiraz.
New in Zone 1 this year, Coastes will bring a beach-themed bar to the F1 Village – complete with sand, palm trees and beach babes! Peach Garden will also serve up their famed Chinese casual bites.
Over at Zone 4, chill out at Hard Rock Café or Covelli Italian Bistro & Wine Bar flanking the Marina stage at the Esplanade Park. At the Hawker Village, dine under the canopy of the majestic rain trees at the Connaught Drive. Expect delicacies from renowned outlets including Brotzeit, The Mexican, Smiths Fish & Chips, Tung Lok and Cold Stone Creamery. You can also head to the War Memorial Park to savour continental food from Marmalade under the stars and right next to a galactic art installation, amidst furniture that glows!
Patrons looking to quench their thirst can head to any of the seven Grid Bars serving the finest brews and other beverages. Do note that most outlets accept cash payments only.
17. Singapore GP Showstoppers!
You don’t have to wait till the sun goes down to start to party. The three-day race weekend will feature the very best local and world-music entertainment across the Circuit Park’s six stages. Forming an eclectic lineup are Australian beatboxer Tom Thum, British violin duo FUSE and Guinean Kora soloist N’Faly Kouyaté. Don’t miss popular local acts like Indigo, VOX, and Rebecca Burch too! As if that isn’t enough, keep your eye out for Brazilian Samba babes, Sufi dancers, La Valse and a host of other roving artists. *(Click here for full entertainment schedule).
18. Business as usual for local shops and restaurants
Retailers at the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay located within the Circuit Park will carry on business as usual while malls located right outside the Marina Bay Street Circuit like Marina Square and Suntec City will also remain open, allowing you to continue shopping and dining at your favourite malls over the race weekend!
19. Get the inside scoop on the Singapore Grand Prix Action
Stay up to date and informed on all the race action by tuning in to the live commentary at 102FM on your FM receiver, or simply look up and follow the action at any one of the 23 superscreens located throughout the Marina Bay Street Circuit Park.
You can also get real-time updates on all the activities around the Circuit Park by following us on Twitter @F1nightrace or joining our 80,000 Facebook fans at the Singapore GP Official Page!
Never miss a moment of the race with live video and audio delivered to the palm of your hand anywhere in the Circuit Park! Keep an eye on all the action with instant replays, live broadcast feeds, eight onboard cameras and driver interviews. See the race unfold with official timing, team/driver data, stats and analysis and pit-stop timing. Catch the inside scoop by listening to team radio communications and sports commentary from BBC Radio 5 Live and SKY.
20. Three days of the world's best drivers on one of Formula One's most challenging courses
For diehard race fans, nothing comes close to matching the excitement of seeing the world’s best pilot the most technologically advanced machines around a challenging street circuit after dark. The First Practice Session on Friday starts at 6pm and the Second Practice Session at 9.30pm. The Third Practice Session takes place at 6pm on Saturday. Saturday night’s Qualifying Session at 9pm is crucial for drivers to earn front-row position for race day. The main event kicks off on Sunday night at 8pm when the five lights go out and the 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX roars into action on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Please note the schedule is subject to revision by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
