https://www.scmp.com/rss/323072/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jean Iau Jean Iau Malaysia’s top state energy official has apologised after facing backlash at home for taking part in a champagne-spraying celebration at the Singapore Grand Prix, in the latest controversy over Islamic norms and the conduct of government-linked companies. Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, the president and group chief executive of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), joined the podium celebrations on Sunday as the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team – which the company sponsors – clinched... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3328154/malaysias-petronas-ceo-apologises-singapore-grand-prix-champagne-shower-after-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3328154/malaysias-petronas-ceo-apologises-singapore-grand-prix-champagne-shower-after-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:15:40 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau As Singapore welcomes the return of the Formula One Grand Prix from Friday to Sunday, with road closures downtown and shopping centres brimming with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite drivers, the high-octane buzz is once again in full swing. Now in its 16th year, F1’s inaugural night race has become one of the city state’s flagship international events. But with each edition costing more than S$100 million (US$78 million), the economic payoff is increasingly being viewed through... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3327699/formula-ones-first-night-race-paying-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3327699/formula-ones-first-night-race-paying-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:49:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Max Verstappen’s recent resurgence will be put to the test at the Singapore Grand Prix this week as the Red Bull driver tries to turn the Formula One world championship into a three-horse race. Back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku have left third-placed Verstappen 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri with seven grands prix and three sprints remaining. Lando Norris sits between the two, 25 points, or one race win, behind his McLaren teammate Piastri and 44 ahead of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3327496/singapore-grand-prix-max-verstappens-late-season-surge-faces-bloody-hot-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3327496/singapore-grand-prix-max-verstappens-late-season-surge-faces-bloody-hot-test?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:00:09 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau Ong Beng Seng, a Singapore-based billionaire hotelier and architect of the city state’s Formula One Grand Prix, was fined S$30,000 (US$23,400) on Friday over a charge of abetting former transport minister S. Iswaran in a gifts scandal. Ong, a 79-year-old Malaysian national, earlier this month pleaded guilty to the charge of abetting Iswaran in obstructing justice, admitting to relaying sensitive information about an ongoing anti-corruption investigation to the then minister. The case has riveted... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3321966/singapores-iswaran-gifts-scandal-ong-beng-seng-avoids-jail-fined-us23400?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3321966/singapores-iswaran-gifts-scandal-ong-beng-seng-avoids-jail-fined-us23400?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Aug 2025 06:48:18 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification The Thai government has approved a US$1.2 billion bid to host a Formula One race in Bangkok in 2028. This decision is not merely a bold move; it embodies vision and, most importantly, potential... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3315739/why-cant-hong-kong-invest-formula-one-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3315739/why-cant-hong-kong-invest-formula-one-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jun 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters Thailand’s cabinet has approved a US$1.2 billion bid to host a Formula One street race in the country’s capital, Bangkok, in 2028, government officials said on Tuesday. If successful, the Thai capital would win a contract to host a race each year from 2028 to 2032, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told a news conference. “In the next two to three years, Thailand will have a world-class competition, which we never thought would actually happen in Thailand,” Jirayu said. Tourism Minister... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3314755/thai-cabinet-approves-us12-billion-bid-host-formula-1-street-race-bangkok?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3314755/thai-cabinet-approves-us12-billion-bid-host-formula-1-street-race-bangkok?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:30:27 +0000 CNA CNA Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who faces two charges in relation to former transport minister S Iswaran’s case, is set to plead guilty in court on July 3. This was after a pre-trial conference for Ong’s case took place on Tuesday. Court records did not state if he would be pleading guilty to both charges or one charge, and if so, which one. His bail, which is set at S$800,000 (US$620,000), was extended. Ong, 79, has been undergoing chemotherapy for bone marrow cancer. He previously obtained... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3313874/ong-beng-seng-singapore-f1-tycoon-plead-guilty-iswaran-case?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3313874/ong-beng-seng-singapore-f1-tycoon-plead-guilty-iswaran-case?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:08:35 +0000 Ong Beng Seng, the billionaire set to plead guilty for his role in a Singapore corruption scandal, will step down as the managing director of the property firm he founded more than four decades ago. Singapore-listed Hotel Properties Limited said Ong “wishes to devote more time to manage his medical conditions”, according to an exchange filing on Monday. He will also not put himself up for re-election as a board director at the firm’s annual general meeting on April 29. Shares of Hotel Properties... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3306402/ong-beng-seng-step-down-singapore-property-firm-amid-iswaran-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3306402/ong-beng-seng-step-down-singapore-property-firm-amid-iswaran-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Apr 2025 04:55:02 +0000 When Hong Kong-born Formula 3 driver Gerrard Xie Yonglin was a baby, the only way his parents could stop him crying was by letting him sit in the driving seat of their car and play with the steering wheel. The 18-year-old told the Post that by the time he was six, he could name all the cars he saw on the streets of Shenzhen, the city neighbouring Hong Kong where he was raised. Harnessing their child’s automobile obsession, Xie’s parents took him to a local karting track so he could complete a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3306188/named-after-steven-gerrard-meet-next-chinese-racing-driver-accelerating-top?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3306188/named-after-steven-gerrard-meet-next-chinese-racing-driver-accelerating-top?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:30:14 +0000 Since US mass media conglomerate Liberty Media Corporation bought the Formula One Group in 2016, investment opportunities in its title asset – Formula One (F1) and its popular motorsport world championship – have never been stronger, whether the interest is in buying a team, developing new driving talent or securing the rights to host races. According to Dan Wells, CEO of motorsport investment advisers Dan Wells & Investors, F1’s evolving business model has opened new doors for institutional... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3302676/how-liberty-media-turned-formula-one-more-enticing-investment-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3302676/how-liberty-media-turned-formula-one-more-enticing-investment-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:00:24 +0000 Singapore’s former transport minister S Iswaran has said he will not appeal against the longer-than-expected 12-month sentence handed down by the court, stressing that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions. In a statement on Monday, he wrote that he would begin his one-year jail term on the same day and accepted that he had breached Section 165 of Singapore’s Penal Code, which forbids public servants from accepting valuables from individuals engaged in business dealings with the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3281350/singapores-iswaran-will-not-appeal-12-months-sentence-accepts-full-responsibility?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3281350/singapores-iswaran-will-not-appeal-12-months-sentence-accepts-full-responsibility?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Oct 2024 06:05:27 +0000 Hong Kong’s allure goes beyond its status as an international financial centre, offering a unique blend of tradition and modernity, East and West and urban and natural landscapes. To further invigorate its spirit and economy, the city aims to become an “events capital”, with sporting events poised to inject fresh vibrancy. Developing Hong Kong’s sports event economy can yield significant economic benefits. The UN World Tourism Organization estimates that sports tourism accounts for about 10 per... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3280519/how-hong-kong-can-host-iconic-sports-events-without-copying-others?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3280519/how-hong-kong-can-host-iconic-sports-events-without-copying-others?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2024 01:30:07 +0000 McLaren is ahead of Red Bull in the Formula One constructors’ race. Now for Lando Norris to put pressure on Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Oscar Piastri’s win last week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix put McLaren top in the teams’ standings – the key to F1’s lavish prize money – but teammate Norris took only a small bite out of Verstappen’s lead. After starting 15th, Norris passed Verstappen late in the race to finish fourth, but the Dutch driver still leads by 59 points heading into the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3279352/formula-1-mclaren-lando-norris-seek-pressure-red-bull-max-verstappen-singapore-gp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3279352/formula-1-mclaren-lando-norris-seek-pressure-red-bull-max-verstappen-singapore-gp?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:00:14 +0000 Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu said he would “give it all” for the remaining races of the season as his Formula One future hangs by a thread, hours after Williams said they were open to discussing rookie Franco Colapinto joining the Swiss-based outfit. Set to become the Audi factory team in 2026, other than Red Bull-owned RB, Sauber are the only ones on the grid not to have confirmed their line-up for next year. Nico Hulkenberg has joined from Haas, but is waiting to find out who his teammate will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3279360/zhou-guanyu-fighting-f1-seat-2025-williams-float-idea-colapinto-joining-sauber?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3279360/zhou-guanyu-fighting-f1-seat-2025-williams-float-idea-colapinto-joining-sauber?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:56:55 +0000 Max Verstappen said Formula One should not air team radio if the sport was concerned about bad language after the head of the governing FIA compared drivers to foul-mouthed rappers. Mohammed Ben Sulayem told motorsport.com the FIA had asked Formula One Management to minimise the amount of swearing on television. The Emirati said drivers also had a responsibility. Ben Sulayem questioned the number of times drivers “say the F word”, adding the organisation was “not rappers” and raising concerns... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3279215/formula-one-max-verstappen-riled-call-drivers-swear-less-are-we-5-year-olds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3279215/formula-one-max-verstappen-riled-call-drivers-swear-less-are-we-5-year-olds?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Sep 2024 01:30:15 +0000 Max Verstappen declared “the fight is not over” as Red Bull head to Singapore this week having been knocked off the top of the constructors’ world championship for the first time in two-and-a-half years. McLaren leapt into a 20-point lead after Oscar Piastri’s masterful victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was compounded by Sergio Perez’s late tangle with Carlos Sainz that ended with both in the wall. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who carved his way to fourth place after starting 15th on the grid, is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3278966/f1-max-verstappen-vows-red-bull-fightback-mclaren-head-singapore-grand-prix-top?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3278966/f1-max-verstappen-vows-red-bull-fightback-mclaren-head-singapore-grand-prix-top?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:00:10 +0000 Hong Kong has the potential to be greater than the sum of its sporting parts, a place that goes far beyond just providing stadiums where matches and concerts take place, the city’s first summit on the economic impact of world-class events has heard. Speakers from across the world of sport, entertainment and business gathered at the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel on Friday to discuss Hong Kong’s future as a hub that would continue to attract visitors from around the globe. And connecting events from... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3277561/hong-kong-can-be-greater-sum-its-sporting-parts-events-experts-tell-forum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3277561/hong-kong-can-be-greater-sum-its-sporting-parts-events-experts-tell-forum?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:03:05 +0000 Hong Kong had the potential to develop its sporting industry in such a way as to drive the city’s economy, panellists at an economic and tourism summit said on Friday. Speakers also highlighted the need for Hong Kong to have its own professional sports clubs to make the city a more desirable place to live, and reiterated the importance of getting the “whole society” involved whenever and wherever there were plans to stage any events. Starting proceedings at the Fullerton Hotel Ocean Park in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3277554/what-hong-kong-can-learn-how-singapore-made-success-its-formula-one-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3277554/what-hong-kong-can-learn-how-singapore-made-success-its-formula-one-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:18:03 +0000 Formula One is seeing a surge of interest in China and could easily add a second race in Southeast Asia, according to the boss of the sport’s owners Liberty Media. Chief executive Greg Maffei said at the Monaco Grand Prix that Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia were all interested in hosting an Asian round, with the championship currently at a record 24 races. South Korea previously hosted a grand prix in Mokpo but local organisers were now interested in bringing racing to the capital,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3264026/monaco-grand-prix-formula-1-keen-hold-second-race-southeast-asia-says-greg-maffei-event-owner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3264026/monaco-grand-prix-formula-1-keen-hold-second-race-southeast-asia-says-greg-maffei-event-owner?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 May 2024 12:10:23 +0000 Reigniting our tourism industry to drive economic growth and enhance our image overseas has become a hot topic of discussion in Hong Kong in recent months. The industry has historically maintained a high profile because of the visibility of our overseas visitors, and it has been a steadfast economic pillar. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, it accounted for 3.6 per cent of our economy and made up 6 per cent of employment. In recent weeks, the extensive media coverage has centred around... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3254406/we-all-want-taylor-swift-hong-kong-prepared-compete-any-cost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3254406/we-all-want-taylor-swift-hong-kong-prepared-compete-any-cost?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:30:11 +0000 Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, who faces multiple charges including corruption, has been granted approval to leave Singapore for Australia for about two weeks, with additional bail conditions. The 61-year-old returned to court on Thursday for the judge’s decision on his travel application, three weeks after he was handed 27 charges relating to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. Iswaran was given permission to leave for Australia between February 16 and March 4 to help... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3251438/singapore-court-rules-s-iswaran-can-leave-australia-help-son-settle-university-extra-bail-conditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3251438/singapore-court-rules-s-iswaran-can-leave-australia-help-son-settle-university-extra-bail-conditions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:36:41 +0000 Singapore will review the terms of its F1 Grand Prix deal and will audit a previous race following a corruption probe involving former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, a ruling party lawmaker said on Monday. Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu told in parliament that “there is nothing to suggest as of now” that either the F1 contracts or other contracts were structured in a way they would disadvantage the government. “But as members would appreciate given the allegations of corruption,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3250984/singapore-review-formula-one-deal-audit-2022-race-following-s-iswaran-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3250984/singapore-review-formula-one-deal-audit-2022-race-following-s-iswaran-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:36:41 +0000 Singapore recently hosted the Formula One Grand Prix weekend, the highlight of which was the night race on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Lion City originally held races from 1961 to 1973, and the event returned in 2008, rebranded to showcase the vibrant city at night. The 14 races since have attracted around 1 billion viewers worldwide. Accompanied by major performances and events, F1 brings the city state immeasurable image benefits and tourism receipts. In contrast, Hong Kong’s tourism,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3235577/hong-kongs-colour-fading-while-singapore-and-shenzhen-shine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3235577/hong-kongs-colour-fading-while-singapore-and-shenzhen-shine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Sep 2023 01:30:13 +0000 Singapore billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng, who is the driving force behind the city state’s hosting of Formula One grand prix racing, has been served with a “notice of arrest” linked to the corruption probe involving Transport Minister S. Iswaran, his company said on Friday. In a notice to the Singapore Exchange on Friday morning, Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) said it had been informed by Ong, 77, that he had been directed by Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3227628/singapore-hotelier-ong-beng-seng-summoned-questioning-s-iswaran-corruption-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3227628/singapore-hotelier-ong-beng-seng-summoned-questioning-s-iswaran-corruption-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:24:56 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Much of the past year in Singapore has been marked by jubilation, exemplified by the Formula One Grand Prix roaring back to the city state in October following the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions. The year was also marked by other significant events such as the striking down of a colonial-era gay sex ban, while the ruling party consolidated its succession plan for continued stability amid a backdrop of a slowing global economy and a tumultuous global cryptocurrency market. In March, the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3204134/year-singapore-post-covid-life-gay-sex-ban-ends-political-renewal-crypto-fallouts-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3204134/year-singapore-post-covid-life-gay-sex-ban-ends-political-renewal-crypto-fallouts-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Dec 2022 06:00:13 +0000 A trip by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to Singapore over the weekend to watch Formula One races has come under attack from critics who described it as “utterly callous” while thousands of Filipinos remain displaced due to a recent typhoon. Marcos Jnr confirmed his trip to Singapore for the Grand Prix event in a brief statement and pictures he posted on Facebook on Monday night after a flurry of online criticism. “They say that playing golf is the best way to drum up business, but I... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3194741/marcos-jnr-facing-criticism-singapore-f1-trip-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3194741/marcos-jnr-facing-criticism-singapore-f1-trip-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Oct 2022 01:27:28 +0000 Singapore sent a clear message of its reopening after a two-year pandemic hiatus as some 1,200 guests, including government officials and top executives from more than 25 nations, gathered in the city state on Thursday for the Milken Institute Asia Summit. Officials speaking at the three-day event include Malaysian Finance Minister Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Singapore Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Hollywood stars Henry Golding and Sima Taparia, who starred in Netflix hit series... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3194296/singapore-back-milken-institute-asia-summit-token2049-f1-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3194296/singapore-back-milken-institute-asia-summit-token2049-f1-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Sep 2022 12:31:00 +0000 Formula One leaders Max Verstappen, Charles LeClerc and Sergio Perez will have their work cut out for them when they return to the Singapore Grand Prix on October 2, for the first time since 2019. The bumpy F1 circuit is especially punishing because it follows a route that swirls through Singapore’s city streets. This will be the first road-going course race drivers encounter since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June. What’s more, Singapore GP will run 61 laps over that uneven asphalt and through... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3193508/formula-one-brings-party-singapore-us2000-hotel-rooms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3193508/formula-one-brings-party-singapore-us2000-hotel-rooms?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Sep 2022 04:15:10 +0000 Singapore is truly emerging from pandemic times now. Tourism is roaring back. Formula One, with an extra-special night race, is coming in late September and early October. It’s the first Singapore Grand Prix since 2019, and it promises to be huge. Tickets have been selling out minutes after they become available, conferences are being planned around the event, and the city state is in peak anticipation mode. Here are the 10 best bars in Singapore, presented in no particular order, for indulging... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3193546/10-best-cocktail-bars-singapore-formula-ones-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3193546/10-best-cocktail-bars-singapore-formula-ones-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Sep 2022 07:48:53 +0000 The F1 Singapore Grand Prix is back after a two-year pandemic hiatus, and the city is gearing up for the biggest weekend of its social calendar – think parties, fast cars and global music acts converging all in one spot. Home to the first Grand Prix night race, the country shuts down public roads in the city centre and transforms them into a brightly lit track known as the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Around 268,000 fans attended the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix – the second-highest on record since... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3193292/singapore-grand-prix-2022-how-expensive-it-party-trackside?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3193292/singapore-grand-prix-2022-how-expensive-it-party-trackside?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:00:20 +0000 Singapore Airlines has extended its sponsorship of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in the city for three more years, the national carrier said on Saturday. The extension will start with this year’s race in October, the company said in a statement. In January, Singapore said it would host the event after a two-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. Formula One “will be an important milestone for Singapore, marking the return of a major international sporting event to the city after a two-year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-1/article/3177761/formula-1-singapore-airlines-extends-grand-prix-title-sponsorship-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-1/article/3177761/formula-1-singapore-airlines-extends-grand-prix-title-sponsorship-3?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 May 2022 07:02:52 +0000 As glamour-drenched sports go, Formula One has few rivals. From luxury brand sponsorships to velvet rope parties to preposterously pricey engineering – if horse racing is the sports of kings, this is the sport of bling. “The racing itself represents the first class of everything,” says Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, president of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, the governing body for motorsport in the city. “The participants are mostly sponsored or developed by the leading enterprises of the car... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3159675/worlds-most-expensive-sport-how-formula-1-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3159675/worlds-most-expensive-sport-how-formula-1-world?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:43:12 +0000 This year’s Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japanese Formula One Grands Prix have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers said on Friday. Formula One had already cancelled four other races, including the showcase Monaco Grand Prix in May, and published a revised and shortened provisional schedule due to start in Austria on July 5. “As a result of the ongoing challenges presented by Covid-19, we and our promoters in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan have taken the decision to cancel their... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3088806/coronavirus-formula-one-cancels-singapore-japan-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3088806/coronavirus-formula-one-cancels-singapore-japan-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Jun 2020 09:05:47 +0000 Hotel deals in Singapore are set for a record as the city state sees a surge in tourist arrivals buoyed by people wanting to avoid the anti-government protests in Hong Kong. Hospitality transaction volumes were an unprecedented S$5.7 billion (US$4.2 billion) as of November 30, according to preliminary figures from Colliers International Group, about five times that of 2018, and the most in at least a decade. A record 5 million visitors came to the island in the third quarter, led by tourists... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3041647/singapore-hotels-cheer-hong-kong-protests-fuel-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3041647/singapore-hotels-cheer-hong-kong-protests-fuel-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Dec 2019 09:15:14 +0000 Singapore on Friday heaved a sigh of relief as it flagged off its Formula One (F1) night race under relatively clear skies, after a week of being blanketed by smoke pollution. The haze, an annual event caused by fires blazing in neighbouring Indonesia, had cast a pall over the race, one of Singapore’s biggest tourism events. Even though organisers on Thursday said there were no plans to amend the schedule for the three-night race, they also noted the situation was “highly changeable”. The haze... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3029754/why-cant-southeast-asia-snuff-out-its-haze-problem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3029754/why-cant-southeast-asia-snuff-out-its-haze-problem?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Sep 2019 13:34:51 +0000 Veteran Finnish F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen is back in the region for the Singapore Grand Prix weekend – which climaxes with the championship race on Sunday, September 22 – competing for the Swiss Alfa Romeo team in Singapore for the first time, after five years at Scuderia Ferrari. Nicknamed the “Iceman” for his cool composure, Räikkönen was crowned world champion in 2007 after finishing second in 2003 and 2005. Räikkönen has won 21 Grands Prix, making him the most successful Finnish driver in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3029618/ferrari-vs-alfa-romeo-f1-champion-kimi-raikkonen-says-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3029618/ferrari-vs-alfa-romeo-f1-champion-kimi-raikkonen-says-it?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Sep 2019 05:58:31 +0000 Singapore’s air quality deteriorated to “unhealthy” levels on Saturday for the first time in three years, data from the National Environment Agency (NEA) showed, threatening to deepen a regional dispute over forest fires. Every dry season, smoke from fires to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia clouds the skies over much of the region, raising concerns about public health and worrying tourist operators and airlines. The haze is back. Can Malaysia and Indonesia... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3027263/singapore-haze-reaches-worst-level-three-years-indonesian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3027263/singapore-haze-reaches-worst-level-three-years-indonesian?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Sep 2019 11:29:46 +0000 Singapore hosted an array of concerts, after-parties and events for race aficionados and revellers alike during the Formula One weekend last week. But one controversial gathering almost stole the show from the annual sporting event. A sugar daddy convention, dubbed “The Fast Lane” and supported by Malaysian “sugar dating” app Sugarbook, was held during the five-day F1-themed Sky Grande Prix promotional event at the Grand Hyatt hotel. The party brought together sugar baby and sugar daddy wannabes... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2165179/how-singapores-formula-one-fling-sugar-daddies-turned-sour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2165179/how-singapores-formula-one-fling-sugar-daddies-turned-sour?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Sep 2018 01:15:45 +0000 The Singapore Grand Prix, which became the first Formula One motor racing event to be held at night in 2008 – will take place around the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the 11th time on Sunday. 7 great things to do in Singapore this September The entertainment featured during the three days of motor racing activities, starting on Friday, remains as electrifying as ever, with a sterling line-up of concerts featuring top acts such as Jay Chou, Liam Gallagher and Simply Red. With all the high-octane... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2164099/top-5-daytime-delights-visitors-singapore-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2164099/top-5-daytime-delights-visitors-singapore-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Sep 2018 02:03:25 +0000 The Formula One Singapore Grand Prix celebrates its 10th edition this year and race organisers are again gearing up to give tens of thousands of fans the ultimate sporting, entertainment and gastronomic experience. The 2017 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix is introducing a raft of new initiatives to attract more fans and increase the festive atmosphere, including special ticket offerings, the Apex Lounge that transitions into a party club and plenty of high-end dining options,... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103968/high-speed-drama-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103968/high-speed-drama-formula-one?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:23:29 +0000 As a night race, where the action heats up as the sun goes down, the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix offers edge-of-the-seat excitement against a spectacular backdrop of city-centre skyscrapers. For fans, the weekend’s schedule of events has another advantage. It frees up each day to take in the city’s other attractions, from the shops of Orchard Road and the old-time charm of Raffles Hotel to eye-opening museums and sights, restaurants and excursions off the beaten track. First-time visitors... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103964/entertainment-galore-singapores?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103964/entertainment-galore-singapores?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:14:47 +0000 TICKETS Fans can now buy single-day tickets for individual grandstands and the Premier Walkabout ticket category, new combination tickets and new junior prices for select ticket categories. Tickets start from S$78 (HK$665) (Friday Zone 4 Walkabout), S$168 (Saturday Zone 4 Walkabout) to S$198(Sunday Zone 4 Walkabout) while three-day tickets start from S$298 (Bay Grandstand). These walkabout tickets offer value for money, with the Circuit Park open from 2.30pm to 12.30am daily on the race... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103963/singapore-f1-grand-prix-circuit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103963/singapore-f1-grand-prix-circuit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:00:45 +0000 The Singapore Grand Prix has gained a reputation for delivering a diverse range of artists for shows that rival the main racing spectacle. This year is no exception with Ariana Grande, Duran Duran, OneRepublic, Seal and The Chainsmokers, and a spectrum of other artists coming to town. Ariana Grande has shown courage to perform following the Manchester Arena bombing after her show earlier this year. The singer, who will be on Padang Stage on Saturday, September 16, rose to fame in 2013 and has... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103962/world-class-entertainers-light?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103962/world-class-entertainers-light?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:58:20 +0000 For anyone contemplating a late dash to take in all the on- and off-circuit action of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, there is no need to worry about finding a place to stay. Even if some of the big-name hotels are booked out well in advance by the Formula One teams, their sponsors, and various corporate types in town for long-planned annual jamborees, there should still be plenty of good accommodation options catering to different tastes and budgets. Just a few stops by MRT from the... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103961/need-hotel-room-singapore-grand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103961/need-hotel-room-singapore-grand?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:56:24 +0000 The Singapore Grand Prix circuit is a state-of-the-art engineering marvel, and assembling the circuit within the busiest parts of a city is not a straightforward operation. “The two biggest initial challenges were developing a lighting system to meet the stringent safety requirements of the FIA [Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile], and [figuring out how to] assemble and disassemble a temporary street circuit in just a few months – all with minimal disruption,” says Colin Syn, deputy... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103960/singapore-grand-prix-circuit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/singapore-grand-prix/article/2103960/singapore-grand-prix-circuit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:54:46 +0000 Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone suggested Singapore was ungrateful to the sport as he revealed the Lion City is set to quit hosting its Grand Prix. Long-time chief executive Ecclestone said the city’s night race – hosted since 2008 – had basically put the city on the map and elevated it from being “just an airport”. Ecclestone was quoted in the latest edition of Germany’s Auto Motor Und Sport magazine as saying that Singapore would not extend the deal. “There is no gratitude,” said the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/2047820/singapore-grand-prix-set-quit-formula-one-after-contract-expires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/2047820/singapore-grand-prix-set-quit-formula-one-after-contract-expires?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Nov 2016 01:26:42 +0000 TICKETS Tickets to the 2016 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX start from: S$78 (HK$665) (Friday Zone 4 Walkabout), S$168 (Saturday Zone 4 Walkabout) to S$198 (Sunday Zone 4 Walkabout) while three-day tickets start from S$298 (Bay Grandstand). These tickets offer great value for money, with the Circuit Park slated to open from 2.30pm to 12.30am daily over the race weekend. Ticket holders can catch the Formula One action from strategically located bleachers; three support races... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1996021/singapore-grand-prix-guide-zone-4-walkabout-tickets-facts-about-track?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1996021/singapore-grand-prix-guide-zone-4-walkabout-tickets-facts-about-track?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jul 2016 07:30:00 +0000 The organisers of the 2016 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix have set themselves a hard task. That’s simply because they want the all-round impact and excitement of the weekend of September 16 to 18 to once again surpass the level of previous years, providing visitors from around the world with an unrivalled package of high-octane racing, big-name musical acts, special fan events, and a genuinely unique ambience. “Wherever possible, we try to outdo ourselves every year by... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1996000/start-your-engines-organisers-singapore-grand-prix-aim-surpass-excitement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1996000/start-your-engines-organisers-singapore-grand-prix-aim-surpass-excitement?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jul 2016 06:15:25 +0000 S ince its debut in 2008, the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix has given the city state a glamorous glow and a significant bump in tourism revenue. The numbers connected with the unique night street race have been impressive. The race has attracted more than 300,000 visitors to Singapore between 2008 and 2014 and generated an average of nearly S$150 million (HK$864 million) incremental tourism receipts each year. “With a broadcast coverage reaching more than 570 million international viewers... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1995998/race-dominance-night-event-lights-tourism-and-showcases-singapores-many?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1995998/race-dominance-night-event-lights-tourism-and-showcases-singapores-many?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jul 2016 06:01:54 +0000 When the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix flags off in September, the roar of the engines will not be the only sound to reverberate around the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Expect to hear thumping tunes, soothing melodies and rhythmic pounding off the track, as some of the biggest names in global music gather for the annual fiesta. The line-up this year will be headlined by alternative rock band Imagine Dragons, best known for its stadium-ready anthems. But, as in previous years, the off-track... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1995968/high-octane-entertainment-imagine-dragons-and-queen-headline-multitude-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/1995968/high-octane-entertainment-imagine-dragons-and-queen-headline-multitude-star?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jul 2016 05:35:22 +0000