Everything About Singapore Grand Prix (F1 Singapore) That You Should Know

If you’ve been following the F1 schedule, you’ve probably already been counting down to the Singapore Grand Prix and know the event schedule on the back of your hand. But even if you’re not an F1 fanatic, we’re here to tell you what’s going down at the 2024 edition of the Singapore Grand Prix — from race schedules to entertainment line-ups, here’s everything you need to know.

The Singapore Grand Prix

The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the many F1 stops around the world. The first Singapore Grand Prix was held in 2008 and since then, the electrifying race weekend was an event that Singaporeans looked forward to nearly every year.

Over the race weekend, the Marina Bay area that many of us know and love is converted into the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where F1 drivers race a total of 62 laps, covering a total race distance of 306.143 km.

And as usual, F1 is coming to Singapore once again. Here’s everything you need to know about the event.

Race Schedule: Practice Sessions, Qualifying Session, and the Race

Let’s start with the most important information you have to know — the race schedule, or when exactly the Singapore night race is happening.

In case you’re not familiar with the F1 scene, you should know that there are a few sessions to look out for — the practice sessions, the qualifying session, and the actual night race.

As the names of the respective sessions suggest, the practice session is for the F1 drivers to practise on the Singapore track, the qualifying session determines the qualifying positions of the F1 drivers for the actual race, and the actual race is, well, the actual F1 race that you see on TV.

If you want to catch any of these sessions, you better block out these dates in your calendar:

• First Practice Session: 20 September (Friday), 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
• Second Practice Session: 20 September (Friday), 9 pm to 10 pm
• Third Practice Session: 21 September (Saturday), 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
• Qualifying Session: 21 September (Saturday), 9 pm to 10 pm
• Night Race: 22 September (Sunday), 8 pm to 10 pm

You should probably avoid booking a staycation in the area over the race weekend too… All you’ll hear are the F1 cars and the roaring crowd. 

Entertainment: Performances to Look Forward to at the Singapore Grand Prix

If you’ve got tickets to the Singapore Grand Prix 2024, one segment you’re probably looking forward to is the entertainment events. This year, you’ll get the chance to catch the likes of OneRepublic and Lenny Kravitz over the race weekend — truly, a star-studded line-up.

But if you don’t feel like trawling through the F1 schedule to see when your favourite artistes are performing, fret not — we’ve summarised the entertainment highlights for you as well:

• 20 September (Friday): HONNE (7:45 pm to 8:45 pm), OneRepublic (10:15 pm to 11:45 pm)
• 21 September (Saturday): BABYMONSTER (4:45 pm to 5:25 pm), Disclosure (7:30 pm to 8:45 pm), Kylie Minogue (10:25 pm to 11:30 pm)
• 22 September (Sunday): Lenny Kravitz (10:25 pm to 11:55 pm)

All the performances highlighted above will be happening at the Zone 4 Padang Stage. Try not to head to the wrong location lah.

Other talented artistes, such as The Corrs, will also be performing over the race weekend — you can look for the exact time slot and location they’re performing at here.

A weekend of racing and music — what’s not to love about the Grand Prix?

Heading to the Singapore Grand Prix: Nearest MRT Stations and Extended MRT Timings

Now, for the more practical things you have to know about the Grand Prix weekend — how to go to the Singapore Grand Prix, and the extended MRT timings.

Yes, you read that right. MRT timings will be extended for the Grand Prix.

Although, if you managed to snag a ticket to the race, we doubt you’ll be taking the MRT… 

Regardless, if you will be taking the train to the Singapore Grand Prix, there are several MRT stations at which you may alight, depending on which F1 patron gate you’d like to enter from. Here’s a summary of the nearest MRT stations to each gate:

• Gate 1: Nicoll Highway (CCL)
• Gates 2 and 9: Promenade (CCL/DTL)
• Gates 3A, 3B, and 7: City Hall (NSL/EWL), Esplanade (CCL)
• Gates 4, 5, and 6: Raffles Place (NSL/EWL)
• Gate 8: Bayfront (CCL/DTL)

If you’re looking to take the bus to the Grand Prix instead, do note that road closures (which we’ll cover more below) might affect certain bus services as well, with certain bus stops being skipped. Since there are just too many bus services for us to summarise for you, you can take a look at this table to check whether your bus service is affected.

And if you’re looking to head home by train, you can expect extended train and bus services as well. You can find out more about the last train and last bus timings at the respective public transport operator’s websites here:

• SMRT Corporation
• SBS Transit
• Go-Ahead Singapore

If you’re heading home any later than the extended train and bus timings, we wish you all the best in getting an affordable Grab home lah. 

Road Closures Around the Marina Centre and Padang Area

Even if you don’t have a ticket to the race, you should probably take note of the road closures around the race track.

Although the race weekend only lasts from 20 September to 22 September, you can expect road closures around the race track from 18 September to 24 September. More specifically, from 12:01 am on 18 September to 5:30 am on 24 September.

As there are just too many road names to take note of, you can plan your commutes over the road closure period by taking a look at this interactive map, which shows all the roads which will be closed alongside the alternative routes which you can take during the road closure period.

Now that you know everything you need to know about the Singapore Grand Prix, go forth and enjoy the weekend! And, of course, stay safe.