ZIKA & the haze failed to have an impact on the ninth edition of the S'pore Grand Prix but the sluggish global economy did, in a mostly incident-free race won by Nico Rosberg of Mercedes.
Trailing just 0.4 of a second behind him was Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, followed by Rosberg's team mate and title rival, Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was fourth, while his team mate & last year's Marina Bay champ Sebastian Vettel was fifth, fighting from right at the back of the grid after his Ferrari broke down during qualifying.
related: Attendance falls amid weaker economic environment
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S'pore got 10 religious leaders to bless upcoming F1 race
This year's Singapore Grand Prix is just two weekends away, and already its organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. According to an interview that Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix, gave to Today in 2013, the religious practice is unique to the Singapore circuit.
Seeing that the race has been fraught with health concerns over Singapore's most recent Zika outbreak, it comes as no surprise that the blessing ceremony was carried out on such an elaborate scale.
Still, many Singaporeans are amused by the antics and have taken to social media to voice their opinions.
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That’s Definitely A Giant Lizard On A Race Track
Formula One’s Singapore Grand Prix has a bit of a reputation for unwanted beings making their way onto the race track, and we’re not talking about the dominant Mercedes F1 drivers. This year, the unwanted being was a giant lizard in the middle of the track during a practice session.
Just like a race fan did last year, this sneaky lizard must have gotten through the track barriers and past security in order to have his few seconds of fame during the third practice at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday. Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen passed along the outside of the lizard in turn three, radioing into his crew, “There’s a giant lizard on the track. I’m not joking.”
A Red Bull engineer described the whole thing as Verstappen coming “face to face with Godzilla,” according to Sky Sports. The lizard, per Sky Sports, is believed to be a monitor lizard.
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Hairy moment as marshal scrambles off track during race
For the 2nd successive year, a man was on the Marina Bay street circuit during the Formula 1 S'pore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix last night.
While a spectator had climbed over the barriers last year to enter the track during the race, it was a race marshal who had to scramble off the track during the opening laps last night.
The marshal had been sent onto the track to clear debris, with the safety car immediately deployed after Force India's Nico Hulkenberg clipped Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz & crashed out of the race on the first lap.
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F1 governing body to investigate marshal incident
Formula One's governing body is to investigate an incident that saw cars cleared to race while a marshal was still on track following a Singapore Grand Prix safety car period on Sunday.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said a report would be carried out to ensure such a situation was not repeated.
Autosport.com quoted a spokesman saying procedures were not "properly executed" by the clerk of the course and team of officials.
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A City Track With Sizzle and Twist
The Marina Bay Circuit’s layout and setting, twisting through hot, humid and bumpy urban streets, make the Singapore Grand Prix the longest and most physically exhausting race of the Formula One season.
It is also one of only two races on the calendar that are run entirely at night. But it is the only race in which a sort of supernatural phenomenon has been known to occur: When the cars cross a spot on the circuit as they pass the Anderson Bridge, the electronics systems, and throttles and clutches, can sometimes go haywire.
It may not be poltergeist activity, but it’s still mysterious to the teams.
related: In Singapore, a Series of Decisive Moments
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Singapore Grand Prix 2016: 5 Bold Predictions for Marina Bay Race
The 15th round of the 2016 Formula One season will take place at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit, where the Red Bull boys are ready to run riot.
Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have dominated F1 for much of the last three seasons, but the Singapore GP promises to be the most unpredictable weekend for some time, with no fewer than three teams thought to be in contention for victory.
With the best chassis on the grid at their disposal, Red Bull are expected to fly on the tight and twisty streets, and both Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo will take full advantage of this rare opportunity.
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In numbers - the Singapore Grand Prix
Did you know that one driver has claimed as many Singapore wins as all his rivals put together?
Or that only two drivers not on the current grid have finished on the podium?
Ahead of this year’s Marina Bay round, we present some fascinating facts and figures...
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Singapore GP: Preview
With the Singapore Grand Prix the Asian overseas season starts, followed by the Grands Prix in Malaysia and Japan.
The race weekend in Singapore is definitely one of the highlights of the season - for Formula 1 as well as for spectators, as the Marina Bay Street Circuit on the island state offers a unique atmosphere for this fascinating night race. The Sauber F1 Team has positive memories from last year's night race, as the team scored one point with Felipe Nasr finishing in P10.
During the Singapore Grand Prix the Swiss team will again focus on aerodynamic refinements on the Sauber C35-Ferrari.
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6 photography tips for shooting the Singapore F1 Grand Prix
The Singapore night race is one of the most challenging circuits in the world of F1, not just for the drivers but for photographers too.
From Ferrari’s botched pit stop in 2008 to last year’s spectator taking a stroll across the track and all the crashes in between — every race is full of unpredictable moments. There’s no shortage of photography fodder here, but be warned, blink and you’ll miss it.
As such, we asked Nikon Professional Services member Joseph Nair to shed some light on how the experts capture such high intensity events as the Singapore Grand Prix. And as he so succinctly put it, turns out “There is a formula for formula one.”
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TRANSPORT GUIDE 2016
Plan your route to the gate nearest to your grandstand carefully, whether you are travelling by MRT, shuttle bus or taxi. Most gates are within walking distance to an MRT station. The recommended gates are stated on the back of your ticket. Please allow plenty of time to get to the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Information booths are located next to every entry gate to aid patrons. You will be able to obtain a copy of the circuit park map from there.
IMPORTANT! Do note that some of the Gates have been renumbered this year. Please click here for the updated Circuit Park map in order to plan your journey. The Gates and their locations are as follows:
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Where Are the Female Drivers in Formula One?
The S'pore Grand Prix this weekend is still considered the most excruciating physical challenge of the season, as it is run under floodlights at night in extreme heat and humidity, around a long, sinuous city circuit.
But the Formula One cars of the past required great body strength to cope with G-forces similar to those encountered by jet pilots. The tire grip was huge, steering was heavy and braking was muscular. Since new regulations introduced in 2014, however, with downsized hybrid engines the cars have been so less physical to drive that the racing has become, if not quite child’s play, at least accessible for teenagers like Verstappen & Ocon.
And yet, there are still no women driving in the world’s elite racing series.
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No decision on future of S’pore GP: STB
While petrol heads are eager to find out if they will see a S'pore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix beyond 2017, the S'pore Tourism Board (STB) said yesterday that no decision has been made on whether the race will extend its contract beyond its 10th year.
In a written response to TODAY’s queries, Jean Ng, STB’s director of sports said: “A decision has not been reached. More details will be shared when ready.”
Since its inaugural edition in 2008, the S'pore Grand Prix has become one of the highlights of the race calendar, with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone calling the only night race a “crown jewel of F1”.
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Singapore Grand Prix 2016: Marina Bay won't tax max
Over 61 laps of Sunday's Formula 1 S'pore Airlines S'pore Grand Prix, the winding, 23-turn Marina Bay street circuit will no doubt claim the cars of inexperienced and foolhardy drivers - not to mention their egos.
Some of them have openly expressed their dread and disdain for the brutal driving conditions.
Not the youngest driver on the grid, though. Call it the exuberance of youth, but 18-yr-old Max Verstappen absolutely loves this punishing circuit.
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S'pore Grand Prix flags off into new chapter
THE S'pore Grand Prix rolls into town for its ninth edition this weekend, even as a major shake-up gets underway at Formula One. The race in S'pore is the first since it was announced last week that the sport is being acquired by US media and entertainment group Liberty Media Corporation, in a deal which represents an enterprise value of US$8 billion and an equity value of US$4.4 billion.
Bernie Ecclestone, who earlier said he would skip the S'pore Grand Prix to tend to the negotiations over the deal, was spotted around the Paddock on Friday.
The Briton, who turns 86 next month, is expected to remain at the helm of the sport for the next three years, though the talk is that he may not last that long.
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A Very Non-Singaporean Event
Once again, an event that few ordinary Singaporeans can relate to is here – the F1.
The hookers have flown in, the stars will be performing and this is the only night race in the world, but if you are not able to fork out exorbitant sums of money, forget about even catching a glimpse because all the barriers are up and no one can see anything unless they pay and get admitted.
Definitely an event for rich foreigners and members of the local glitterati and not for the ordinary people. Of course it’s on TV but that’s like a wealthy uncle flicking crumbs off his table at you.
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Drivers prepare for toughest test in Formula One
Since its inaugural race in 2008 the Singapore Grand Prix has gained a reputation for being the toughest challenge in Formula One, providing drivers with an extreme test of endurance in the trickiest conditions.
Raced under floodlights on a tight, 23-turn 5.065-km street circuit in downtown Singapore, the 61-lap trawl in tropical heat just north of the equator has been won by three men -- Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.
The exclusive triumvirate is made up of world champions, suggesting only the very best can master the Marina Bay circuit, but four-times winner Vettel believes luck can play as large a part as skill.
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Other things to do this weekend if you're not going to the F1 races
Formula One Grand Prix has been a permanent fixture in Singapore for about seven years now, and it's been nothing short of amazing, year on year.
However, those of you who are not going to the races can still get a taste of the high-octane action of F1 weekend with these exciting activities!
- Test your driving skills
- Go behind the scenes
- Eat luxuriously
- Party in style
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