F1 results: 2023 Singapore Grand Prix results and standings
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has won from McLaren’s Lando Norris a hugely dramatic Singapore Grand Prix, weathering a high-pressure finale with the two Mercedes drivers coming at the leading cars on much fresher tyres.
A strategic gamble from Mercedes had Lewis Hamilton and George Russell storming back on the medium tyre against Sainz and Norris on older hard tyres, with the quartet of cars running nose to tail in the closing laps.
With Sainz controlling the pace throughout the opening half of the race as the Ferrari driver ensured Red Bull couldn’t benefit from starting on the hard tyre by controlling the field spread, the race came to life under a late Virtual Safety Car as Mercedes gambled on swapping to the medium tyres.
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz celebrating after winning the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on Sep 17, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (Sep 17) to end Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen's record run of 10 wins in a row and shatter Red Bull's dream of going through the season unbeaten.
McLaren's Lando Norris finished a close second and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton took third place as Red Bull ended up off the podium for the first time since last November's Brazilian Grand Prix.
In a strategic, slow-burning thriller of a race, Sainz - nicknamed "smooth operator" - played his hand perfectly after starting on the pole, slowing the field to close any safety car window and saving his tyres before helping former teammate Norris stave off the chasing Mercedes pair. Mercedes' George Russell, pushing hard for the win on far fresher medium tyres than the leaders, crashed on the last lap while in third place.
The crowd spills onto the track after the Singapore Grand Prix race on Sept 17. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
As multi-coloured fireworks illuminated the Marina Bay skyline at the 2023 Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, it was not the red-and-blue livery of a Red Bull car that was the first to zoom past the chequered flag for the first time since November 2022.
The 2023 season had been largely predictable, with Red Bull winning all 14 races ahead of the Singapore leg – till Sunday.
But under the city’s bright lights, the night race delivered thrills and spills, and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz snagged his first Grand Prix win of the season as the Spaniard led from start to finish.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit welcomed 264,108 fans to the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 over the race weekend.
Despite the closure of the Bay Grandstand as part of the planned redevelopment of The Float at Marina Bay, which led to this year’s reduced attendance from 2022’s record capacity, six new grandstands as well as additional walkabout tickets were introduced to mitigate the loss of capacity, and these were all fully taken up due to very strong demand. This year’s turnout exceeds the previously announced anticipated attendance for 2023 of 250,000 over the three days. In the last two days, the home of Formula 1 night racing has seen stunning action on track capped by a thrilling Qualifying session in which Carlos Sainz claimed Ferrari’s seventh Singapore pole ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell and Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc. Singapore now holds its collective breath in anticipation of what could possibly be a sixth different race-winner tonight.
Over the last two days, the Padang stage concerts headlined by Post Malone, Kings of Leon, as well as a line-up of artistes presented by 88rising including Jackson Wang, Niki, and Rich Brian have attracted tens of thousands of fans. Ticketholders can look forward to another amazing night of performances tonight with Robbie Williams and Groove Armada at the Zone 4 Padang stage, as well as the Kings of Leon and Madness at the Zone 1 Wharf Stage. In a sign of continuing strong demand into 2024, the Super Early Bird tickets for next year’s race have also sold out having gone on sale only 72 hours ago. For the next ticketing phase selected tickets will now be available at Early Bird prices from 26 September via the official website www.singaporegp.sg.
Man arrested for outrage of modesty, another under probe after altercation at S’pore Grand Prix
A 36-year-old man was arrested for alleged outrage of modesty after an altercation during the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday.
Another 37-year-old man is assisting with investigations for allegedly voluntarily causing hurt, said the police on Sunday in response to queries from The Straits Times.
Ms Kaci Beh, a 24-year-old model, took to video-sharing platform TikTok to share how her night at the Singapore Grand Prix turned sour after a stranger allegedly touched her younger sister inappropriately. When they confronted the stranger, Ms Beh and her boyfriend, Mr Bryan Yap, were allegedly assaulted by another man.
FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023
Full F1 Singapore schedule – get up to speed with all the important timings, both on and off track, for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023, which takes place over 62 laps of the spectacular Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday, September 17.
The 2023 Singapore Grand Prix timetable covers the full weekend track schedule, including details of all practice and qualifying sessions, support races, press conferences and special events – plus, of course, that crucial Singapore GP start time.
Preparations for F1 Singapore Grand Prix to continue amid probe into Iswaran, Ong Beng Seng
Singapore GP understands that CPIB’s investigations are ongoing, and that it is “not at liberty to provide any further information”. PHOTO: ST FILE
Preparations for the upcoming Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 in September will “continue as planned” despite an ongoing corruption probe involving key figures behind the event.
“We remain committed to work with all partners involved to ensure the success of the event,” said the Singapore Tourism Board’s executive director for sports and wellness, Ms Ong Ling Lee, in a statement on Friday.
She was responding to media queries regarding the race, which is set to take place from Sept 15 to 17 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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F1 night race in S'pore to continue as planned: STB
The Formula One (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 will continue as planned, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Jul. 21. "We remain committed to work with all partners involved to ensure the success of the event," said STB.
The night race, slated for Sep. 15 to 17, 2023 will go ahead amidst the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) probe involving billionaire Ong Beng Seng and Transport Minister S Iswaran. Ong, the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, was the man behind the F1 nights races in Singapore. He used his friendship with F1 boss Bernie Eccleston to help close the deal and bring the races to Singapore after negotiating for a year in 2007.
In 2022, Singapore Grand Prix, backed by Ong and STB, secured the franchise to host the night race for another seven years through to 2028. Ong and Iswaran were both arrested on Jul. 11, 2023. Both men were subsequently released on bail.
Rare Singapore corruption probe widens to include Grand Prix owner
Ong Beng Seng walking out of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau headquarters in Singapore in a photo dated July 12
Ong, managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, was arrested last Tuesday, along with Minister of Transport S. Iswaran, according to the country’s anti-corruption agency, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). Both men were later released on bail, the bureau told CNN late Friday. Ong was asked by the agency to provide information about his interactions with Iswaran, his company said in a Friday filing to the stock exchange.
The agency launched an investigation into a case involving the transport minister on Tuesday, in a rare corruption probe involving a cabinet-level official. Ong’s company said he had posted bail of 100,000 Singapore dollars ($76,000) after being given a notice of arrest. No charges have been filed against him, it said.
Revised Formula 1 circuit layout from 2023, track to no longer include Bay Grandstand
Works on NS Square are scheduled to start in March next year and are expected to be completed by end-2026. They were due to begin in March 2022, but were rescheduled to start a year later due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The track will no longer include the Bay Grandstand while the redevelopment works are under way," the race organisers said.
From the next race, the revised circuit layout will be reduced to 4.928km and the number of laps increased to 63. Turns 16 to 19 will be realigned into a 397.9m straight, bringing the circuit's number of turns to 19. The official lap record for the current layout of the Singapore Grand Prix is 1:41.905, held by Danish driver Kevin Magnussen.
Singapore’s estimated annual cost for hosting Formula 1 is $100 million, according to Channel News Asia. Host organizers Singapore GP Pte. Ltd. and the Singapore Tourism Board reportedly paid $35 million per Grand Prix in the previous contract, which ran from 2017 to 2021.
The race has reportedly generated more than $1.1 billion in tourism receipts, according to event organizers. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 2.
As part of the deal, the hosts have agreed to a number of changes:
- The events will switch to renewable energy sources and focus on recycling.
- Singapore will conduct a sustainability audit to ensure it’s following Formula 1’s sustainability goals — Formula 1 aims to be net zero carbon by 2030.
- The hosts said they will also focus on community relations, diversity, and health and safety.
Motor racing-F1 extends Singapore Grand Prix contract until 2028
"Singapore holds a special place on the F1 calendar, and this extension is part of our long-term commitment to continue to grow the sport in Asia," Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. "The Marina Bay Street Circuit hosted the first night race in F1 history in 2008, and Singapore has continued to thrill fans, teams, and drivers ever since." Singapore has established itself as one of Formula One's most glamorous and popular events since it made its debut in 2008. The race is staged in the heart of the city-state, with cars driving around a floodlit street track against a backdrop of glittering skyscrapers, while spectators are entertained by headline music acts.
Partly funded by the government, it has played a key role in boosting tourism to Singapore. The race has generated more than S$1.5 billion in incremental tourism receipts and drawn more than 550,000 unique international visitors to Singapore since its debut, according to organisers. The 2019 race, won by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari, drew a crowd of about 268,000 over the whole weekend, the event's second highest, organisers said as they looked forward to welcoming fans back this year. “The Singapore Formula One race continues to be a strong focal point for tourists, global events and business meetings,” said Singapore’s Minister for Transport S Iswaran.
F1 extends Singapore GP until 2028
Race has been on the series' calendar since 2008 & absent from 2020 and 2021 calendars due to pandemic
Formula One has announced a contract extension with the Singapore Grand Prix for seven years. The new agreement will run from 2022 until 2028.
The Singapore Grand Prix first joined the Formula One calendar in 2008, however it was absent from the schedule in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to RacingNews365, the previous contract saw the series receive US$35 million per Grand Prix from the host organisers, Singapore GP Pte Ltd (SGP) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Channel News Asia pegged the overall cost of Singapore hosting its Formula One race at US$100 million a year.
The latest hosting contract has seen the organisers commit to improving the sustainability of the event. This includes switching to renewable energy sources, using recyclable materials and increasing recycling efforts. In addition, a sustainable audit will be conducted, ensuring that the Singapore Grand Prix is fully in line with Formula One’s own sustainability goals. SGP and STB have also pledged to connect with the local community, seek to promote diversity amongst event volunteers, as well as place greater emphasis on the health and safety of all attendees.
Marina Bay Street Circuit
- When was the track built? The Marina Bay Circuit arrived on the scene in 2008. A street track with the city's famous skyline as its spectacular backdrop, the initial circuit plan by Herman Tilke was refined by KBR Inc, while the event has quickly established itself as one of the standouts on the F1 calendar.
- When was its first Grand Prix? In 2008, Singapore had the honour of hosting the first night-time race in F1 history. The Grand Prix – the 15th round of that season – proved a huge hit with the teams and drivers, while Renault’s Fernando Alonso claimed a controversial victory.
- What’s the circuit like? The 5.063km Marina Bay Circuit is one of the most physically demanding on the calendar, its bumpy street surface coupled with humid conditions giving the drivers plenty to think about. With 23 corners, they are working the wheel a lot, too, around the high-speed lap – the physical stress causing them to lose as much as 3kg over the course of a race. The circuit also boasts some of the most unique features of any track on the F1 calendar, including Turn 18, which actually sees the drivers pass underneath a grandstand.
- Why go? If you want to see Singapore at its best, there’s no better time to do so than when Formula 1 arrives in the heart of this buzzing city. Get the lay of the land by taking a ride on the Singapore Flyer, a giant Ferris wheel overlooking the track’s permanent pits complex, then get stuck into Singapore’s incredible bar and restaurant scene. Cocktail fanatics should also make a pilgrimage to the famous Raffles Hotel – the proper home of the Singapore Sling (non-alcoholic versions are available!)
- Where is the best place to watch? Get yourself comfy in the grandstand located at Turn 1, which offers spectacular views as the cars accelerate into the first corner, before braking hard and whipping through Turns 2 and 3. You’ll get a great view of the start too – expect to see plenty of sparks fly as the drivers blast off the line.
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