The Singapore Grand Prix made its much-awaited return to the Formula 1 calendar this year, much to the joy of racing fans in Southeast Asia and neighboring countries. The night race that was held on October 2 became a trending topic among Filipinos online and was even attended by celebrities like Julia Barretto, Gerald Anderson, and Gretchen Ho.
If you’re wondering just how much it costs to watch a Formula 1 race weekend in the Lion City, read on to find out!
Photo from Instagram.com/f1
But first: what happens in the Singapore Grand Prix?
The Singapore Grand Prix is a night race and is one of the seven street circuits in the Formula 1 2022 season. Although a Formula 1 race takes place on the evening of a Sunday, the event actually begins on Friday, when fans can watch the drivers conduct two Free Practice sessions. The drivers then make their final Free Practice session on Saturday followed by a Qualifying session—a test of their individual speed to determine their positions on the 20-place grid in the race.
For the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the schedule was as follows:
September 30, Friday: Free Practice 1 (6-7 PM), Free Practice 2 (9-10 PM)
October 1, Saturday: Free Practice 3 (6-7 PM), Qualifying (9-10 PM)
October 2, Sunday: Main Event (8-10 PM)
Why is the Singapore Grand Prix the toughest for drivers to prepare for?
The race drivers view the Marina Bay Street Circuit as the toughest on the calendar because of the humidity, the difficulty to overtake, and the low average speed. Many of them shared their preparations for the grueling heat on their individual social media accounts in the week leading up to the race weekend, such as exercising in saunas and adding layers of clothing during workouts. Additionally, because the circuit hasn’t been used since 2019, many of the drivers on the grid this year are unfamiliar with the track and it’s been a long time since the track has been rubbered in.
Where can fans watch the race?
There are tickets for each zone of the track where you can watch if you want to be up close to all the action. However, there are other options. Many fans would opt to stay in their hotels and get a great aerial view of the circuit. Among the best hotels to stay in for an unobstructed perspective are the Marina Bay Sands, The Fullerton Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotel, Swissotel The Stamford, J.W. Marriott Singapore South Beach, Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Mandarin Oriental, and Ritz-Carlton Millenia.
There are also a few public spots with okay views of the circuit but they tend to get crowded right away.
But let’s talk about the different track zones, where to sit, and what the tickets to those seats cost.
Where to sit on the Marina Bay Street Circuit?
For the Singapore Grand Prix, there are four Zones, three of which contain the seating areas: Zone 1, which is the most expensive area as it is located along the Pit Straight (that is, the final straight before the finish line) and Turns 1, 2, and 3; Zone 3, which is the Bay Grandstand and is the largest and cheapest area but may not give you the best view; and finally, Zone 4 which includes the Esplanade Waterfront, Connaught, Stamford, and Padang Grandstands and provide the best view of the concert stages.
There are also Walkabout tickets that allow you access to certain zones but only in the standing areas.
How much do tickets cost?
Below is the cost of the tickets for the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix:
| Ticket type (Zone access) | Zones | Price (3-day tickets) |
| Pit Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
SGD 1,288 (~PHP 53,138.20)
|
| Pit Grandstand for Juniors* | 1, 2, 3, 4 | SGD 638 (~PHP 26,321.56) |
| Orange @ Pit Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
SGD 1,288 (~PHP 53,138.20)
|
| Turn 1 Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 | SGD 1,288 (~PHP 53,138.20) |
| Turn 2 Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 | SGD 1,288 (~PHP 53,138.20) |
| Connaught Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 598 (~PHP 24,671.31) |
| Empress Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 598 (~PHP 24,671.31) |
| Padang Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 598 (~PHP 24,671.31) |
| Stamford Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 498 (~PHP 20,545.67) |
| Stamford Grandstand Junior* | Zone 4 | SGD 208 (~PHP 8,581.32) |
| Bay Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 298 (~PHP 12,294.40) |
3-Day combination passes were also sold: Pit Combination (SGD 1,088 (~PHP 44,886.93)), Padang Combination (SGD 798 (~PHP 32,922.58), and Stamford Combination (SGD 698 (~PHP 28,796.94)).
Meanwhile, here are the prices of the Super Early Bird tickets to the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix:
| Ticket type (Zone access) | Zones | Price (3-day tickets) |
| Pit Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
SGD 1,088 (~PHP 44,886.93)
|
| Pit Grandstand for Juniors* | 1, 2, 3, 4 | SGD 638 (~PHP 26,321.56) |
| Orange @ Pit Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
SGD 1,088 (~PHP 44,886.93)
|
| Turn 1 Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 | SGD 988 (~PHP 40,761.29) |
| Turn 2 Grandstand | 1, 2, 3, 4 | SGD 988 (~PHP 40,761.29) |
| Connaught Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 448 (~PHP 18,482.85) |
| Empress Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 448 (~PHP 18,482.85) |
| Padang Grandstand | Zone 4 | SGD 448 (~PHP 18,482.85) |
*Junior tickets are for those aged 16 and below. Prices are inclusive of Singapore’s 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
What is the F1 Paddock Club?
With Formula 1 being a popular sporting event, it can be expected that VIPs would fly in from different parts of the world to meet the drivers and their teams, indulge in gourmet cuisine, experience luxury comfort, and watch the races at the premiere spots away from the crowds. As such, Formula 1 sells “Hospitality Packages” and they definitely don’t come cheap!
Hospitality Packages offered for the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix were as follows:
Formula 1 Paddock Club™: Situated above the pit garages where guests can enjoy the ultimate hospitality experience and a panoramic view of the Pit Straight, starting grid, and the Paddock. Guests also will be given exclusive access to the daily Pit Lane Walk. This package also includes a fully air-conditioned Paddock Club™ suite with in-suite food & beverage offerings, a dedicated Suite Ambassador to pamper you throughout the evening, and free-flow Champagne, fine wines and spirits, beers, and soft drinks. (3-day tickets cost SGD 9,898 or ~PHP 408,355.51)
Upper Deck – Formula 1 Paddock Club™: Located trackside where guests will enjoy an unobstructed view of the track action while indulging in haute cuisine from the comfort of the air-conditioned facility. It offers the same benefits as the Paddock Club, the only difference being that you cannot view the team garages as it is located directly at the Pit Exit. (Single-day tickets only, priced at SGD 2,499 or ~PHP 103,099.66 for Friday; SGD 3,649 or ~PHP 150,544.48 for Saturday; and SGD 6,501 or ~PHP 268,207.63 for Sunday)
Sky Suite: Offers a lavish trackside experience and unblocked panoramic views of the Singapore skyline and the thrilling race action, with fully air-conditioned suites. You can choose where you want your suite to be: along the Pit Straight, at Turn 1, or at Turn 2. Also provides a dedicated Suite Ambassador to pamper you throughout the evening, and free-flow Champagne, fine wines and spirits, beers, and soft drinks. (3-day tickets cost SGD 7,972 or ~PHP 328,895.75)
The Green Room: A more casual and relaxed spot that can host any number of guests and is strategically located at the first set of turns. The Green Room features a specially curated menu of international cuisine alongside a wide selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks. (3-day tickets cost SGD 4,815 or ~PHP 198,649.40)
Lounge@Turn 3: Located at the end of the first set of turns and provides guests with a live telecast of on-track action in an air-conditioned lounge. Guests are also given an assigned seat at the enhanced Premier Grandstand right on the trackside, as well as meals, additional snack service, and
free-flowing fine wines, beers, and soft drinks from the Loft Bar. (3-day tickets cost SGD 3,478 or ~PHP 143,489.64)
(ALSO READ: Pinay Rookie Racer Bianca Bustamante On Meeting Lewis Hamilton and Her Journey So Far in W Series)
Crazy prices, right? To avid fans of Formula 1, these tickets are definitely worth splurging on at least once in their lifetime, especially with the season nearing its end in just a couple of months!
Got anything more to add? Let us know in the comments below.
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