No decision on future of S’pore GP: STB
The Singapore Grand Prix's Marina Bay City Circuit taken with a fish-eye lens at dusk from a hotel suite in Swissotel The Stamford in Singapore is seen on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. Photo: AP
SINGAPORE — While petrolheads are eager to find out if they will see a Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix beyond 2017, the Singapore 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 Singapore 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”.
The annual sports event has also reaped in significant tourism dollars for the Republic, attracting over 350,000 international visitors over the past eight years and generating an average of almost S$150 million in incremental tourism receipts annually. Broadcast coverage of the race also reached over 640 million international viewers from 2008 to 2015.
Over the years, race promoter Singapore GP has also upped the ante on the entertainment front, with music acts like Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey and Maroon 5 keeping race- goers around the Marina Bay circuit entertained.
Gourmet and food festivals such as Savour also form part of the Grand Prix Season Singapore, a season of lifestyle events that help complement the race.
With more races muscling in the F1 scene — the German Grand Prix made a return this year, while the Azerbaijan race is new — Ng is confident that the Singapore Grand Prix will continue to shine. She added: “The uniqueness of the Singapore Formula 1 race coupled with its tremendous value proposition will continue to be a strong draw.
“It remains the first and only Formula 1 night street race, the only Asian street circuit and one of the most highly anticipated races in the Formula 1 racing calendar with a stunning view of the Singapore skyline while being located in the heart of the city.”
It is a sentiment that is echoed by Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo, who said this week: “I’ll love for the contract to be extended. The race is unique, the circuit is physically demanding but a real night race and we work on a schedule that no other race works on.
“It’s pretty unique, I think the whole city loves it as well.”
