How Singapore Made F1 History With The World’s First Night Race

In 2008, Singapore made Formula One history when the Marina Bay Street Circuit hosted the sport’s first-ever night race.

The inaugural Singapore Grand Prix turned the city centre into a floodlit, high-octane street circuit, with F1 cars racing past landmarks including the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay skyline. Here’s a look back at how that memorable first race came together, and why it remains such a defining chapter in Singapore’s motorsport story.

Felipe Massa driving for Ferrari at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2008. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Not the first Singapore Grand Prix

Before 2008, Singapore hadn’t seen motor racing action for 35 years. Originally, we hosted races between 1961 and 1973 at the Thomson Road Grand Prix circuit. It was stopped due to safety concerns (too many accidents). Fun fact: The “circuit” still exists today as a public road and part of Thomson Nature Park.

A Renault F1 car ahead of a McLaren-Mercedes at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2008. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Kimi Raikkonen driving for Ferrari at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2008. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The 2008 night race

Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng first floated the idea of the Singapore Grand Prix revival in 1991. It took almost two decades before the stars aligned in 2008 when our government, with then-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone’s backing, finally gave the green light to fund the project.

The result? A five-year deal that kicked off with the construction of a stunning $33-million pit building right by Raffles Boulevard, complete with state-of-the-art race facilities, hospitality lounges, and a grandstand for spectators to soak in the action.

The anti-clockwise track (one of the few in F1) wove through the heart of the city. And race weekend was nothing short of spectacular. Over three days, fans were treated to practice sessions, a high-stakes qualifying round, and then the grand finale on 28 Sep 2008.

Lewis Hamilton driving for McLaren-Mercedes at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2008. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The first Singapore F1 night race champion

After nearly two hours and 61 laps, Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, racing for Renault, emerged as champion.

The entire event was a sell-out, with over 100,000 spectators flocking to Marina Bay and a global audience of over 500 million tuning in to witness the magic of Singapore’s night race. Alonso still drives in F1 today at the age of 43 for Aston Martin.

The inaugural race received glowing reviews from fans and media alike, with Ecclestone even calling it the “crown jewel of F1".

Fernando Alonso driving for Renault at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2008. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

F1 fast facts

• Legendary F1 champion Sebastian Vettel is the most successful driver on our Little Red Dot, winning here five times. He's followed by Lewis Hamilton (four wins) and Fernando Alonso (two wins).
• To withstand the high speeds of F1 cars, the manholes at Marina Bay Street Circuit have to be welded shut before each race.
• There were no races in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. The F1 Pit Building was converted into a COVID-19 treatment facility.
  
• Felipe Massa had a pit-stop nightmare in 2008: He drove off with Ferrari’s fuel hose still attached, turning a pole position into a finish outside the points. He eventually lost that year’s title to Lewis Hamilton by just one point.
• Singapore has our own “Godzilla”: In 2016, Max Verstappen famously reported a giant lizard on the track during practice, calling it “Godzilla”. Another lizard made an appearance during practice in 2023, too.
• 2017 began with absolute chaos: Singapore’s first wet F1 night race saw Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen and Max Verstappen all eliminated in a dramatic first-lap crash. Lewis Hamilton, who started fifth, went on to win.
• Safety Cars used to be inevitable: Every Singapore GP from 2008 to 2023 had at least one Safety Car intervention. The 2024 race finally broke that run.

The Singapore Grand Prix in 2026

Eighteen years after the first race, the Singapore Grand Prix remains one of Formula One’s most distinctive events: a demanding night race on a tight street circuit, staged against the city skyline.

The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix takes place from 9 to 11 October, with the race starting at 8pm on Sunday, 11 October. This year’s event will also host the final F1 Sprint of the season, adding another competitive session to the race weekend.

An F1 Sprint is essentially a second, shorter race within the same Grand Prix weekend, before the actual main event.

• It is about 100km / 30 minutes, with no mandatory pit stop.
• The top eight drivers score championship points - 8 points for first, down to 1 point for eighth.

Where can you spot F1 drivers this week?

Before the Circuit Park opens, several drivers are scheduled to make public appearances around Singapore.

Wednesday, 7 October:

• Charles Leclerc: Puma at 313@Somerset, then Ray-Ban’s Beyond The Track at CQ @ Clarke Quay
• Lando Norris: Puma at VivoCity
• Fernando Alonso: Breitling x Aston Martin pop-up at Raffles City, from 5pm
• Oscar Piastri and McLaren CEO Zak Brown: McLaren Racing Live at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands
• Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto: adidas x Audi Off The Grid at Funan
• Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad: appearances at ION Orchard and Resorts World Sentosa
• Alex Albon: Williams Fan Zone at Marina Square, from 8.30pm

On Thursday, 8 October, look out for:

• Sergio Pérez and Zhou Guanyu at the Tommy Hilfiger x Cadillac pop-up at Paragon from 1.30pm
• George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are due at the adidas Brand Centre Orchard.

Public appearances can be capacity-controlled or changed at short notice, so check the relevant brand’s social channels before heading down.

Beyond the track

The official Thursday Pit Lane Experience takes place on 8 October, allowing successful ballot applicants to walk the pit lane, see the garages and get close to the cars before the race weekend begins. Once the Circuit Park opens, Zone 1 ticket-holders can catch the F1 Drivers’ Fan Forums at the Wharf Stage on Friday and Saturday. 

And because this is Singapore GP, the concerts are almost as headline-worthy as the racing. The 2026 line-up includes:

• Friday: JJ Lin, Split Enz, CORTIS, DJ Snake and Major Lazer Soundsystem
• Saturday: The Killers, Goo Goo Dolls, Zara Larsson, Rev Run and HYO
• Sunday: Lana Del Rey, Janet Jackson, James Arthur, Mark Ronson and Zhu

All tickets include access to Zone 4 and the Padang Stage, though entry to the Padang Fan Zone is first come, first served.

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