Locals say The Fullerton is where the best view is when it comes to the Formula 1 races held in Singapore, but, to be honest, a 360 view has nothing on being near the vroom-ing roar of engines, right at the heart of the happening. Unless you were to throw a party for 40 in your suite's veranda, it's probably a better idea to splash on getting actual tickets to the event than paying five times the usual room rates. For a first-timer to this whole night-race experience and F1 weekend in Singapore, there is nothing quite as infectious as the collective gasps and cheers every time a race car zooms by or how one derives guilty pleasure when witnessing a crash.
Earlier this month, the 11th edition of the night race took place on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton finishing first at 1 hour and 51min. But beyond the three days of racing, what descends upon the island nation is a neon-lit festival and party mindset that sees the Marina Bay area on total shutdown -- with an overwhelming multitude of visitors aged from five to those old enough to need canes. With concerts, dance zones and even race simulators for the kids, it takes a bit of been-there info to make for a more thrilling weekend. Here's what goes on during that high-voltage Sunday night Singapore Grand Prix and how to prepare for it when it rolls around again in 2019.
What to wear
This is not as schmancy as it sounds, and what confuses you upon entering the gates into the Circuit Park is that the majority of people are dressed in shorts, tank-tops and flip-flops. I didn't get the memo that smart-casual is already too overdressed, and this weird recommendation a colleague saw somewhere on a website was probably referring to Monaco or whatnot. No one will raise an eyebrow here, so wear what you will be comfortable in in Singapore's balmy weather and heat. Ladies who would like to stand out or make a fashion statement: steer away from team polos and bring out those sleeveless Pucci dresses. Apparently, dressy happens at the after-parties. It's actually at Amber Lounge (where DJ Buddah of Bangkok Invaders spins every year) and it's there where people are dressed to kill. Tables go for US$20,000 (650,000 baht) after all.
What to expect
Plan accordingly the things you'd like to do within the park so you are not looking to dance to Jay Chou and then hope to hop to changing tyres at the replica Formula 1 car within five minutes (because you can't). It takes at least half-an-hour to walk from one point to another because the gated walking paths pretty much feel like the BTS at 6pm. There is no avoiding the staggering crowds on the walking routes, which will also be packed with a mind-boggling number of five-year-old fans and tweens giddy about their first concert-festival experience. This can be an exhausting and irritating obstacle to surpass, but, miraculously, the thrill once you start to hear engine screams and smell some oil makes it all go away while walking to your seat.
What seating to get
For first-timers who aren't race-heads who must be glued to every turn and screech, it may not even be necessary to get a seat. Getting a pass to walk around and absorb the excitement within the park can be more than enough, as there are open bleachers all around the circuit. Still, standard seats at the Bay Grandstand is a good option if it's not mainly the race you're after. Even though it's one of the more boring seats because the straight track in front means cars just whizz by in a blink, there is the stunning view of the bay and Marina Bay Sands that remind you why you've gone through this hassle in the first place. MBS doesn't have any light shows up its sleeves, but black-and-white checkers are projected onto the building playfully. It may not be as exciting as seats near the corners and curves on the track, where you really get to see racers duke it out, but it's one of the calmer spots to get a feel of everything comfortably. Being high up on the Bay Grandstand means you can even skip the earplugs, and having to sit through the two-hour ordeal becomes much breezier.
What actually happens
Make sure to get to your seat a bit before 8pm, before all the opening festivities start -- namely, Singapore's National Anthem and some flying red light in the sky that vaguely resembles Iron Man. Even if you have no idea what's going on or where your team is speeding at the moment, it is undeniably fun to ooh, aah and gasp at all the accidents and overtakes live with another thousand people in the stands. There's no need to be worried about missing out on anything because the cars need to do 61 laps on the track, which can get quite dull for non-fans 30 minutes in. Thankfully there are fun facts that pop up on the screen, such as that drivers may lose up to 4kg of their body weight by the end of the race. The middle of the race is a good time to fuel up by grabbing a drink and a bite, so do it before the end of the race nears. The food line on the Bay Grandstand is something like a 40 minute wait and has only a selection of chips and grilled sandwiches, so if you spot something you'd rather eat at the food zones downstairs, buy it before coming up to your seat.
What will make your night
Whatever you skip during this weekend, do not miss the fireworks once the chequered flag is waved at the end of the race. A grand view of the spectacular display against the Marina Bay skyline is possibly more rewarding than a free Dior bag. It's a very long display too -- long enough for the Singapore Tourism Board's Thai ambassadors Way and Nana Intachai to get more than enough pictures, videos and Boomerangs with their family, friends, each other and alone. The race is over, but the party is not and most party animals will be making their way to the Padang Stage, where headliner Martin Garrix will be performing. Set on a large field with the National Gallery in the backdrop, with lots of space to dance near the stage or to lounge on the grass with a cold drink in the distance, the entertainment line-up at Singapore's F1 delivered stunning visuals and impressive lasers that accompanied the electro-dance tunes. Dua Lipa even showed up during Garrix's set for one song, energetically bopping in a checked crop top. With this last headliner playing long past midnight, there's no denying that Singapore's F1 is no let-down if you're a party animal and thrill-seeker.
