That’s an 11.7% jump from last year’s 269,072.

With the 2023 detours, when redevelopment works at The Float nipped overall capacity, rather than lament the lost seats, the organisers drew up nine fresh grandstands and three new hospitality experiences (Observe@3, Drivers’ Right, and Lounge+).

Attendees have also enjoyed brand new thematic lifestyle precincts, innovative entertainment programming, and an increase in food and beverage offerings to provide an improved patron experience within the Circuit Park.

Around 65,000 fans packed the lawn nightly for headliners G-DRAGON, Foo Fighters, and Sir Elton John.

While working hard to increase the event’s popular success, Singapore GP Pte Ltd has kept a watchful eye on its impact. So much so that the sport’s governing body, the FIA, recently renewed the event’s Certificate of Three-Star Level within the FIA Environmental Accreditation Framework.

The FIA report said ‘SGP had continued to demonstrate their commitment to minimising the environmental footprint of the event, while making sure that they delivered a positive racing experience for patrons and the wider community’.

2026 will usher in another milestone for the Singapore Grand Prix, with the debut of an F1 Sprint Race under the Marina Bay lights. So if you haven’t secured your tickets yet, next year’s race festivities are going to usher in even more fanfare.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!

Six editions since 2018, six different winners. Singapore doesn’t do repeats unless they’re on the replay screen. This time, Russell owned the night, managing tyres, traffic and temperature with poise.

Behind him, Max Verstappen wrestled a difficult Red Bull into second, while Lando Norris bagged third for McLaren. Championship leader Oscar Piastri shadowed home in fourth, a papaya double that had significance tonight. McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship, back-to-back, needing only 13 points and collecting far more. Somewhere in Woking, the lights won’t be going off anytime soon.

How the race was won

Does Singapore still reward the front-row bully? On evidence, yes. Russell’s start was neat rather than nuclear, exactly what you want on a night when the track will happily punish enthusiasm. Once he cleared Turn 1, the job became part thermodynamics, part tempo. Manage the 4.927km rhythm, keep the fronts alive for rotation, and don’t get greedy with the kerbs. He played it like a metronome.

For those counting, this was the 11th win from pole in 16 renditions of the Singapore Grand Prix. Overtaking remains a contact sport with concrete, and the driver who controls the first stint usually controls the story.

McLaren’s night of numbers

Yes, the race winner wore silver, but the trophy engraver for the big one will be etching McLaren. The papaya pair finished P3 and P4, enough to slam the door on the Constructors’ with six rounds to spare. It’s their 10th title, and it feels earned the old-fashioned way.

Russell remains fourth in the Drivers’ standings on 212 points, chasing the McLaren duo  Piastri (324) and Norris (299)  with Verstappen (255) lodged between them and Mercedes’ spearhead.

Six races remain, beginning with the United States Grand Prix on 19 October in Texas.

Two years ago, Russell left here with the sort of last-lap ache that wakes you at 3am. Tonight, he left with the chequered flag and a neat line under the ledger.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!

The FIA’s F1 Technical Delegate, Jo Bauer, noted: “The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car numbers 23 (Albon) and 55 (Sainz). Both cars exceeded the maximum limit of 85mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.”

That runs headlong into Article 3.10.10 (g) of the Technical Regulations, which governs the Drag Reduction System: when DRS is deployed, the gap between the two rear-wing profiles must be between 9.4mm and 85mm along the span.

As per protocol, the stewards confirmed disqualification for both drivers. Their summary was blunt:

• The DRS gap exceeded 85mm on both sides when measured by FIA officials.
• Williams admitted their own pre-qualifying checks had shown the assembly within tolerance, but did not challenge the FIA’s procedure, methodology, or equipment.
• With the part non-compliant, the standard penalty for a technical infringement applies.

“Bitterly disappointing”: Williams’ response

Team Principal James Vowles cut to the chase: “During FIA scrutineering after Qualifying, the rear wings on both our cars failed DRS slot gap checks. As a result, Alex and Carlos have been disqualified from Qualifying for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. This is bitterly disappointing for the team, and we are urgently investigating how this happened. At no point were we seeking a performance advantage, and the rear wings had passed our own checks earlier in the day, but there is only one measurement that matters, and we fully accept the FIA ruling. We have a car capable of scoring points here this weekend and will do everything we can to fight from the back of the grid tomorrow, and will immediately review our processes to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Why is an extra millimetre or two such a fuss? With DRS open, a wider slot gap can reduce drag more than allowed, buying a little extra top speed. The rules cap that gap at 85mm so everyone’s “push-to-pass” stays within the same aerodynamic envelope.

What it means for Sunday

Both Williams will be relegated to the back, which scrambles undercut maths and punctures a few strategy decks. Can Williams still nick points? On a track where track position is king and the Safety Car is a frequent guest star, anything can happen.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!

Race director Rui Marques spelt it out in a Thursday bulletin to the teams: when the forecast Heat Index tops 31°C, the protocol kicks in. Drivers are permitted to wear cooling vests on the grid and during any race suspension.

“Having received a forecast from the official Weather Service predicting that the Heat Index will be greater than 31°C at some time during the race. Thus, a Heat Hazard is declared,” said Marques.

Singapore’s bumpy, stop-start street circuit is infamous: high humidity, thick tropical air, concrete canyons that trap heat. Drivers routinely shed up to 3kg over a full-length night race.

What’s a cooling vest, exactly?

The cooling vest is laced with coolant tubes, fed by pumps and a heat exchanger. In testing, some drivers grumbled about comfort; space is at a premium in a modern F1 cockpit, and anything that adds bulk feels uncomfortable. Still, when the mercury climbs, cold fluid buys you clarity.

Crucially, the FIA isn’t forcing anyone to wear one. But whether a team opts in or out, every car must be fitted with the requisite hardware so the vests can be used. Elect not to wear the vest? You’ll need to carry an extra 0.5kg of ballast to avoid gaining a weight advantage.

Lessons from a hot night in Qatar

The FIA pushed it forward after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where several drivers needed medical attention for heat-related symptoms.

George Russell gave the vest an early shakedown at this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix and, characteristically, called it as he felt it: “Of course there’s always room to improve,” the Mercedes driver said. “I wanted to give it a whirl. So far, so good.”

Does a cooling vest make a driver faster? Not directly. It keeps them sharper for longer, which at the Singapore Grand Prix is often the same thing. The heat-hazard call doesn’t blunt the spectacle, but rather modernises it.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!

In a race where he controlled proceedings from start to finish, Norris crossed the line a full 20 seconds ahead of championship leader Max Verstappen, tightening the title race and reducing Verstappen’s points cushion.

For those familiar with Norris’s past struggles from the front, his flawless start came as a pleasant surprise. He slotted neatly ahead of Verstappen at Turn 1, immediately setting the tone for the race. From there, it was almost as if Norris had an extra gear. In the end, it was smooth sailing for the McLaren driver.

Verstappen, with no answer to Norris’s pace, had to be content with second place. Oscar Piastri, who started fifth, fought his way to third, ensuring a double podium for McLaren.

This, combined with a lacklustre finish for Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, meant McLaren extended their lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.

Piastri’s strategy was one of patience. He stayed out longer than most during the first stint, and when he finally switched to fresher tyres, he made quick work of Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc attempted a similar strategy, passing Hamilton easily in the closing laps but falling short of catching Russell, leaving Leclerc in a Silver Arrows sandwich by the end of the race.

Carlos Sainz, after a qualifying mishap, managed to salvage seventh place, while Fernando Alonso brought home valuable points for Aston Martin in eighth.

Nico Hulkenberg delivered a solid performance for Haas, finishing ninth. Perez, after being knocked out in the second qualifying phase, rounded out the top 10.

Further down the order, Franco Colapinto continued to impress with his drive to P11, just shy of the points and hot on the heels of Perez. He was followed by Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon, while Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin crossed the line in 14th.

The Kick Sauber duo of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas found themselves in 15th and 16th, with Pierre Gasly in the other Alpine and a struggling Daniel Ricciardo, who set the fastest lap after a late pit stop, finishing behind them.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Williams, as Alex Albon lost several positions at the start after a tussle with teammate Colapinto and later retired due to overheating issues. Kevin Magnussen’s Haas also didn’t make it to the chequered flag, suffering a puncture late in the race.

Lando Norris was visibly elated, celebrating with clenched fists as he brought his car into parc fermé. His win slashed Verstappen’s title lead from 59 to 52 points, while McLaren leaves Singapore with a healthy 41-point lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ battle.

Marina Bay, it seems, has reignited the title race in spectacular fashion.

Photo Credits: Formula 1 Content Pool

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

The film introduces audiences to the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver who dives back into the fast lane. Hayes partners with rookie driver Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, as part of the fictional APXGP team.

Notable actors such as Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo further bolster the cast.

Javier Bardem steps into the shoes of the APXGP team boss, adding drama and intensity to the narrative. From the teaser trailer, F1 fans would also be pleased to learn that Team Principal of Haas Formula One Team Guenther Steiner also makes a cameo appearance.

Unique to this production, filming occurred during live F1 events, including last year’s British Grand Prix and the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race, enhancing the authenticity of the racing scenes. Both Pitt and Idris were present at the recent British Grand Prix, actively participating in the race activities as part of their roles.

Lewis Hamilton, a celebrated F1 champion, has taken a hands-on approach with the film, contributing to the scriptwriting and production through his company, Dawn Appolo Films. The project also involves Hollywood veterans Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films, along with Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner.

The screenplay, penned by Ehren Kruger, who previously collaborated with Kosinski on “Top Gun: Maverick,” promises a compelling narrative interwoven with the adrenaline-pumping action of Formula 1 races. Touted to be the most expensive film ever made with a USD 300 million budget, Warner Bros. Pictures is set to distribute “F1” internationally on June 25, 2025.

With interest in F1 on a general decline, this movie clearly hopes to bring the dynamic and prestigious world of Formula 1 racing to cinema screens worldwide and perhaps spark a new passion for the sport amongst newer fans. Judging from the teaser, they might just succeed in doing that.

Watch the cool, almost 2-min teaser trailer at the link below:

https://youtu.be/DrE9umGiPZQ?si=Je_8DgtCpFISagDo

Applications are officially live for the world’s fastest job ad! Fuelled by Red Bull Singapore, the Red Bull Intern Championship will offer for the first time a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Singaporeans to work with Oracle Red Bull Racing this summer.

This exclusive internship program will allow two winners to immerse themselves in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 by joining the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team for an exhilarating 2.5-month stint at their headquarters in Milton Keynes, UK, culminating in a career-highlight experience at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Targeted at young Singaporean enthusiasts aged 18 and above, this initiative seeks to engage F1 aficionados, Red Bull followers, and those with a passion for motorsports, offering them a chance to be part of a world champion team.

This opportunity is expected to offer invaluable hands-on experience and the chance to witness the inner workings of a successful racing team through two distinct roles within the marketing department: Hospitality & Events and Red Bull Relations.

Do you have what it takes to apply? The application in itself is already a challenge! To access the exclusive application page, you’ll need to be as quick as our race cars by catching a fleeting QR code in the job ad.

Upon scanning the code, you will be greeted by a welcome video from 3x World Champion Max Verstappen, instructing you on the various steps and required assessments needed to determine if you are the best fit for the position.

For those who’ve ever dreamed of merging their career path with the high-octane world of Formula 1, the Red Bull Intern Championship is your green light. So, to all young Singaporeans with a passion for F1 and a drive to excel, this is your call to the starting grid.

Get ready, set your sights on the finish line, and may the fastest applicants win. Your journey from the pit lane to the podium begins now!

For more information, please visit the official Red Bull Singapore social media pages (TikTok | Instagram) and website, and Oracle Red Bull Racing’s official TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Photo Credits: Oracle Red Bull Racing

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!