While fashion has played a notable role in Formula 1 partnerships, it’s rare to see it directly influence a car’s design. But now, with this latest collaboration, VCARB and HUGO are blending the sharp aesthetics of fashion with motorsport. 

The entire garage will be decked out in a full denim theme too, creating a cohesive look from pit lane to podium. Even the drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, are sporting bespoke racing suits and HUGO ensembles throughout the weekend.

Ricciardo added, “Over the years, we’ve seen fashion brands join forces with F1 teams and drivers, but it’s mostly been about the outfits. This time, we’re taking it up a notch, bringing fashion right to the track with this full immersion. We’re raising the stakes and showing that brands can explore so much more. I think this will definitely open the eyes of other fashion houses, and we’ll see more of these fashion-inspired liveries in the future.”

For Tsunoda, the partnership strikes a personal chord. “Fashion has always been a passion of mine,” he shared, “so to see our team collaborating in such a unique way, beyond just the team kit and our daily HUGO outfits, is super cool. No one has ever done this before, and it’s a real reflection of our team’s identity and creativity.”

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And after two practice sessions, it ended with McLaren’s Lando Norris leading the charge ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. FP2 ended on a sour note for Mercedes, as George Russell found himself up close and personal with the wall in the final minutes.

The early part of the session was relatively tame, with most drivers running on medium and hard tyres, feeling out the circuit. Ferrari seemed to be in good shape early on, with Leclerc and Sainz sitting at the top of the timesheets. Leclerc posting a 1m 31.655s, with Sainz just a few tenths back.

It was business as usual, right until the switch to soft tyres around 20 minutes into the session. Williams’ Alex Albon, continuing his impressive run of form, briefly topped the charts after switching to the soft rubber. His time was just 0.015s quicker than Leclerc’s earlier lap.

But then,  Lando Norris clocked in a 1m 30.727s, enough to secure the fastest time of the session, edging Leclerc by just under a tenth. While Norris was all smiles, Leclerc had a brief scare, brushing the wall at Turn 14.

Carlos Sainz backed up his teammate with a distant third, while the other McLaren, driven by Oscar Piastri, found itself sandwiched between the AlphaTauris of Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo.

Piastri had his own brush with drama, running wide at Turn 7 before giving the wall a solid thump at Turn 17. Not to be outdone, Norris had his own “I kissed the wall” moment at Turn 3.

Further down the field, Sergio Perez took the honour of being the fastest Red Bull, though his session was far from smooth. The Mexican driver complained about the car being “all over the place,” and he earned himself a black and white flag for crossing the white line at the pit exit to avoid an Aston Martin.

Max Verstappen was a surprising 15th, 1.2 seconds adrift. Verstappen’s frustrations didn’t start on track though; he entered the session having already received a penalty from the FIA for some colourful language during Thursday’s press conference. It seems the reigning champ might be fighting more than just the track this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton also had a session to forget, languishing in 11th place. “No rear end” and “massive understeer” were just some of the choice phrases Hamilton shared over the radio, clearly not in tune with his Mercedes. His lap on the soft tyres left him smack between Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas and Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin.

Meanwhile, Williams rookie Franco Colapinto, perhaps still getting used to the pressures of F1, made the rookie error of stopping at the wrong pit box during the session. He ended the session in 16th.

We know Marina Bay isn’t an easy track to master, and this Singapore Grand Prix 2024 is shaping up to be a great weekend.

Photo Credits: Formula 1 Content Pool

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Singapore GP has just announced its newest campaign, #RevUpSG, an outreach campaign designed to revitalise local excitement for the upcoming Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024.

This initiative rolls out complimentary F1-themed activities, promising four months of high-octane entertainment starting with a series of enriching educational experiences.

Through a partnership with the National Library Board, Singapore GP is setting up a rotating Formula 1-themed exhibit across six libraries.

Dive into the dynamic world of F1 through interactive displays crafted by Lab Six Five, offering a peek into the intense life of an F1 driver and some snazzy photo ops for that perfect Instagram moment.

The youth aren’t left out of the racing circuit either. Selected secondary schools and junior colleges will experience the adrenaline of F1 up close through a collaboration between Singapore GP, Mastereign Group representing F1 in Schools (Singapore), and EduTorque. 

Students will be treated to talks diving into the science and engineering fueling the sport, alongside a glimpse into automotive careers. They’ll even get their hands on miniature racing cars and examine an internal combustion engine in detail.

Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are on the lap list too, with special sessions exploring ‘The Grand Prix Effect: From Marina Bay to the Global Stage’. Experts from the industry will share behind-the-scenes insights, while SGcarmart will add an extra layer by discussing how F1’s innovations ripple through the broader automotive industry.

As the campaign shifts into higher gears over the coming months, stay tuned for announcements on fan favourites like the Behind the Scenes Tour, Pit Lane Experience, and live screenings of select F1 races.

For those keen on the full lineup or interested in joining the educational programs, head on over to the Singapore GP website.

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Calling all Formula 1 fans! Do you want some tickets to catch the action up close? Well, Capella Auto is giving away an exclusive Alfa Romeo Formula 1 Team experience at the upcoming Singapore GP taking place from 15 – 17 September 2023.

The catch? It would require an Alfa Romeo vehicle purchase in the month of July 2023.

With limited tickets available, the sooner you confirm that deposit and secure your car, the better chance you will have of selecting your preferred Singapore Night Race experience. These aren’t ordinary tickets either, as you would have special access to the Alfa Romeo team’s areas of the paddock.

Itching to get an Alfa Romeo but wanted a reason to compel you? Now’s your chance. 

Visit Capella Auto to find out more about the newly Facelifted Stelvio Veloce SUV, Giulia Veloce Sedan, and the upcoming Tonale Veloce MHEV SUV.

Book a test-drive or get a quote from them here!

Alfa Romeo Singapore is also contactable through their website, Facebook or Instagram.

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