A full guide to attending the Singapore Grand Prix!
Home to the night race, Marina Bay is one of seven tracks on the calendar that is a street circuit. What's more, it is the only race that commences at night, making it truly special to watch.
In 2023 we were lucky enough to find ourselves in Singapore during the Formula 1 weekend. We bagged ourselves some Premier Walkabout tickets and spent three long days exploring the site and finding the best places to watch the races.
From our experiences, we have put together a full guide to attending the Singapore Grand Prix so you have an idea of what to expect and where to go to find the best seats in the house!
What is Formula 1?
Formula 1 is a prestigious international motor racing event. Twenty drivers in ten teams race around a circuit to try and get as many points as possible. Race weekends take place over three days. There are three practice sessions, a Saturday qualifying session, and the race itself. In qualifying, drivers compete to be the fastest car around the track. The outcome of this determines the lineup for the race, which takes place on Sunday. The race cars can reach speeds of up to 370km/h (230mph), making it a thrilling sport to watch live!
Where does the track run?
The Singapore Grand Prix runs around the Marina Bay area of Singapore. The track is just under 5km long and has 19 turns (down from 23 turns in previous seasons). The drivers race around the track 62 times during the race.
Circuit Park Map 2023 – Reference – https://singaporegp.sg/en/event-info/circuit-park-map
What tickets should I buy?
The best tickets for you depend on many factors, such as budget, time and personal preferences.
Zone 4 walkabout tickets: This ticket gives you access to one of the four zones around the circuit. With this ticket, you can walk around, access the entertainment and activities set up in Zone 4 and use any of the bleacher-style viewing platforms in that zone. This ticket is your cheapest option.
Price for 2023: S$298
Premier walkabout tickets: This ticket gives you access to all four zones around the circuit. This means you have full access to the live entertainment and activities around the track and have full access to all the viewing platforms around the circuit. This ticket is mid-priced.
Price for 2023: S$598
Grandstand tickets: These tickets give you an allocated seat at a chosen grandstand, alongside walking access to the whole circuit (or zone 4 depending on which grandstand you choose). Grandstands are often positioned to get the best views of the track possible and with a large TV screen positioned to watch the race. These tickets are your most expensive options.
Price for 2023: S$398 – S$1988
If you want further perks, there are also hospitality and VIP ticket options. Tickets are often released in stages and sell out very quickly. To get the best price it is recommended to buy them as far in advance as possible (Early Bird tickets are often set at a discounted price).
How do I get there?
As the Singapore Grand Prix circuit is in the centre of the city, many roads are closed for the whole weekend and parking is limited. The recommended transportation method is the city’s MRT underground train system.
When you buy a ticket, you will be given recommended gate entry points. This will dictate which MRT station you will want to arrive at. The circuit map is very helpful and shows which MRT is closest for you to use.
The Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel
Located along the outskirts of the Singapore Central Business District, The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel’s location makes for easy access for Singapore’s Arab Quarter which includes Arab Street and the culturally diverse Haji Lane.
The property offers capsule style bedding (double bed options available for those in a couple) with personal lockers, free wifi and all day access to tea & coffee.
What should I expect when I am there?
Inside the circuit grounds, you can expect to find food and drink stalls, merchandise tents and a full schedule of on-track and off-track entertainment throughout the day.
On-track, you can watch more than F1 cars. Other support races also race before the F1 main events of the day. These include races from the likes of Formula 2, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and TSS The Super Series.
Off-track entertainment is also just as popular as what is happening on-track. Around the circuit grounds there are a total of eight stages hosting entertainment. The two main stages, the Wharf Stage and the Padang Stage, are located in zone 1 and zone 4 respectively. Each day, high-profile acts take place on these stages.
Certain ticket holders also have access to the Singapore Flyer (normally S$40) for free. It is well worth taking a ride to get a fantastic panoramic view of the city. We recommend riding as the sun sets. This way you will not only see the city lit up as the sky grows darker, but you can also get a fantastic view of the full street circuit lit up in all its glory!
Where can I get food and drink?
There are ample food and drink stalls located all around the length of the circuit. However, prices for food and drink are naturally higher if you buy them inside the circuit grounds. Soft drinks average at S$4 and alcoholic beverages begin around S$15. Food ranges between S$15 and S$20 depending on your choices.
TOP TIP | Head via the Esplanade Mall and look for the Tomo Izakaya stall. We got two wines and two pints for S$38 (bargain in comparison to other places!)
You also have the option to leave the circuit grounds and source your own food, but bear in mind that you cannot bring your own food and drink (except water) back into the circuit grounds. We often went to grab a bite to eat at nearby Hawker Centres which offer much cheaper prices, before heading back to the circuit grounds for the next big event.
Where are the best viewing platforms?
If you are a premier walkabout ticket holder, you have full access to viewing platforms all around the track. When choosing a viewing platform, you want to be positioned where most of the on-track action will happen. Although you need to keep in mind that not all platforms have clear views of the track and only a limited number face a TV screen. Considering all of this, we have made a list of the best viewing platform locations around the track.
PIT STRAIGHT | The platform is at the end of the pit straight and into turn 1. There is a TV screen available and the platform gives you a vantage point of the pit straight where you can catch some great overtakes.
TURN 1-2 | These viewing platforms are located so you can see the very first turn of the race (which can often be quite eventful!) all the way to the entry of turn 3. The platforms also face a TV screen so you can follow the full race action.
TURN 5 | The viewing platform next to the Republic Grandstand faces a TV screen whilst still being very close to the on-track action.
ESPLANADE DRIVE | There are a row of platforms along the straight directly after turn 13. There are two TV screens that can be viewed if you seat yourself optimally, but the view of the cars is not great due to their track position being so close to the safety barrier.
TURN 19 | This is the final corner of the race where you have a great view of cars racing down the pit straight and also entry into the pits. Unfortunately there isn’t a clear view of a TV screen but commentary can still be heard.
Just remember, all viewing platforms are standing areas with limited or no seats. Be prepared to stand for the entirety of the race and arrive early to grab the best spot.
We arrived three hours before the race to get our spots at turn 1-2 in 2023. When we arrived the platforms were already full and we managed to get one of the last spots left next to the barrier!
Finally…
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is an incredible weekend event that can be enjoyed by both racing newbies and Formula 1 enthusiasts. There is so much to do and enjoy, so we hope this guide helps you to navigate your busy and unforgettable weekend!