Night race, daytime struggles

The Singapore Grand Prix might be one of the most glamorous stops on the F1 calendar, but for the teams and drivers, it’s anything but a vacation.

Situated awkwardly between the European races and a punishing triple-header in the Americas, Singapore stands as a gruelling, jet-lag-inducing challenge.

While the race lights up the Marina Bay streets with its iconic night-time setting, teams have to stay on European time to maintain some semblance of normalcy. This means drivers and personnel are crawling into bed just as the sun rises around 6 AM and waking up in the afternoon to start their day, creating a surreal, off-kilter experience.

And the track? It’s not exactly known for its wheel-to-wheel action. Much like Monaco, the Singapore circuit is a tight, twisty affair where overtaking is a rare sight. Once the starting jostle is over, the race often settles into a boring pace.

Yet, Singapore has something Monaco doesn’t: regional exclusivity. Since Malaysia bowed out in 2017, Singapore has held the F1 spotlight in Southeast Asia, making it incredibly valuable to the sport.

Economically, it’s a goldmine. The race brings in hordes of international visitors – with around 40% of attendees coming from abroad – and has generated over $1.4 billion in tourism revenue since its inaugural race in 2008​. For the city-state, the race is less about thrilling overtakes, but dazzling the world and cementing its status as a global destination.

While the track may not deliver the heart-pounding excitement of other races, the Singapore GP’s combination of spectacle, exclusivity, and massive tourism value ensures it remains firmly on the F1 calendar – for better or for worse.