Music, food, parties, races: Grand Prix Season Singapore 2014

The 2014 Grand Prix Season Singapore is set for September 12 to 24 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. It features the only Formula One nighttime street race in the world. No need to go to a far-off race track or swelter in the heat of the tropical sun.

Savvily, Singapore organizers have routed the race through many tourist-friendly vantage points such as premier hotels, within view of rooftop bars, and the city’s signature Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer. 

Race fans can choose from several venues from which to watch the races. There is the (money-no-object) absolute prestige of the Paddock Club. There are the luxurious Sky, Club Suites, and Green Room. And then there is the boisterous excitement of the Grandstand. 

Competing are no less that the superstars of Formula One racing: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg of Mercedes, Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas of Williams, as well as Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado of Lotus, Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber, Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez of Sauber, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso, Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson of Caterham, and Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton of Marusia. 

The Formula One competition itself happens from September 19 to 21, but there are a lot of exciting events that occur, before, during, and after the race.

Knowing that F1 aficionados travel with loved ones who may not share their level of fanaticism for motor sport, organizers have wisely packaged the event with a wide range of attractions, from hotel poolside raves, to equestrian carnival shows, to a gin and jazz event, to fun rides at a theme park. 

Music

In previous years, the Singapore Grand Prix attracted many purely for its concerts. 2012 brought to the stage Adam Levine and his Maroon 5 and 2013 presented Rihanna.

This year, no less than pop star Jennifer Lopez performs on September 21. Also headlining are soulful rhythm and blues crooner John Legend on September 21; reggae scion Ziggy Marley, boy band member-turned rock star and heartthrob Robbie Williams, and new wave duo Pet Shop Boys on September 20; and taiwanese rock quintet Mayday on September 19. 

Aside from these international pop stars, the Grand Prix Season Singapore offers diverse music from across the globe, from Portuguese gypsy singer Lura to indie Filipino singer-songwriter Carlos Castano, to name a few.

Parties 

There are also several party events to choose from. The original Grand Prix after-party renowned in Monaco, Barcelona and Abu Dhabi comes to Amber Lounge from September 20 to 21. Acclaimed Dutch deejay Dash Berlin raises the roof at the Zouk on September 19. Hobnob with celebrities in bikinis at the poolside pitstop party at the Pan Pacific Hotel from September 20 to 21. Enjoy a commanding view of the racetrack from 61-storey rooftop bar 1-Altitude at Raffles Place from September 19 to 21. There is also the Bachanalia brunch party at Marina Bay Sands from September 19 to 20.

Food and drinks 

For the foodies, three-star Michelin Chef Quique Dacosta will cook a up a storm as the new Lamborghini Huracan will be unveiled at the Podium Lounge of the Ritz-Carlton from September 19 to 21. 

The Epicurean Market happening from September 12 to 14 at the Marina Bay Sands is a wine lover’s dream. There’s even East Imperial Gin Jubilee that mixes jazz with booze on Club Street from September 11 to 12.

Performance arts

There’s  also entertainment of a different kind. Cavalia, created by a co-founder of Cirque de Soleil, is carnival spectacle that features horses and feats worthy of the best equestrians. It is currently ongoing at the White Theatre Tent until September 28.

Also ongoing is the Singapore International Festival of Arts that features visual and performance arts from across the globe at various venues, slated to run until September 21.

Theme parks and shopping 

For the kids, there are Sentosa’s theme park rides. For shopaholics, there will always be the boutiques at Orchard Road, Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and Holland Village as well the expansive malls such as Bugis Junction, Wisma Atria, ION Orchard, Suntec City Mall, to name a few. 

Expert advice

With all these choices that the Singapore Grand Prix Season has to offer, deciding where to go and what do do can be bewildering for the GP newbie.

Thankfully, there is James Deakin, an authoritative voice on motoring in the Philippines and a television, radio and print journalist who has been to nearly all the Grand Prix races in Singapore since its inception in 2008. He is both an F1 fan and a family man who knows how to keep everyone happy on vacation. 

On the best vantage point to watch the race, Deakin advises, “I would go Sky Suites first. But that’s money-no-object. We’re talking about $6 or 7,000.  That is my first preference.

The Paddock Club is more expensive but you don’t get the same crowd response usually cause its reserved for VIPs and corporate clients that don’t generally necessarily understand the race. Whereas when you go to Sky Suites, these are places were the fans spend a little bit of their extra money to get a better vantage point and free booze.

Once the booze and the food is covered, it doesn’t distract your racing experience. Cause when you are in the normal Grandstand area, and you go back, you buy a beer, somehow you could line up for a while and walk after just a little bit. The Singapore Flyer, I would love to try it, but it doesn’t go for the whole race.” 

For those on a budget, he adds, “If you’re not that hard core, you can go around the Bay Grandstand, it’s probably the best value. That’s where all the real action is.”

He notes that there is something for everyone, “The nice thing about Singapore is that you can actually enjoy yourself as a casual motor sports fan. You can go there and enjoy the bands, you can enjoy all the activity centers, you can enjoy all the entertainment they got, it’s non stop. Its literally everywhere you go, there’s something going on.

And then the nice thing is, depending on what size your family is, or how old they are, you can stagger yourself. You’re always in the heart of the city. You can bring casual pants and you can enjoy yourself.” he adds, “You can’t have a bad meal in Singapore. So that’s what I love about Singapore.”

New rules 

As useful as his advice is for those placating loved ones, it is Deakin’s insights into Formula racing that are most useful for diehard fans of the sport. He concedes that the wide-ranging set of new rules on fuel efficiency has drastically altered the sport.

New safety regulations limiting the height of the car’s nose has also changed the very look of the cars themselves. Gone are the elegant missile-like cones. This year’s cars have strange-looking lower-pointing snouts to lessen the dangers of car collisions, provoking unflattering comparisons of the otherwise sleek racing machines to anteaters and proboscis monkeys by some noted international commentators. 

The new rules, especially, the need to conserve fuel and the brake systems that recover precious energy, have meant new driving techniques that favor certain drivers. Deakin notes that this year’s races are the most competitive and exciting. 

Gone are the days when just one man predictably dominated the podium for years. “It’s because of the new rules. The racing that they produced this year has been exceptional. We’ve seen some of the best race ever have all happened this year,” he attests.

Wheel-to-wheel gladiator fights even from drivers of the same team. Luxury and energy for racing fans. Parties, culinary delights, grand concerts, and shopping for everyone. With an offering that excites even grizzled veterans of motor sport, the 2014 Grand Prix Season Singapore is win for all who come and join.

For details and bookings, visit www.singaporegp.sg

Writer, graphic designer, and business owner Rome Jorge is passionate about the arts. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of asianTraveler Magazine, Lifestyle Editor of The Manila Times, and cover story writer for MEGA and Lifestyle Asia Magazines, Rome Jorge has also covered terror attacks, military mutinies, mass demonstrations as well as Reproductive Health, gender equality, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other important issues. He is also the proprietor of Strawberry Jams Music Studio.