Now that we’ve looked after our readers who aren’t into F1, it’s time for us to turn our attention to the petrolheads and party animals. After seven editions, you’re probably familiar with the Grand Prix season drill, but with each year comes new parties, new headliners and new stories on the track. Here’s how you can get the most out of this year’s race.
Friday
Lunchtime: Every weekday in September, Italian restaurant Forlino will be doing their patriotic duty by serving the Forza Ferrari set lunch, a menu which features products from Emilia-Romagna, the home of Ferrari. Tuck into San Marzano tomato soup, classic beef ragout and 24 months aged Parmigiano Reggiano and you’ll be all set for the weekend ahead. Can’t make it for lunch? They also have a special menu for dinner from Sept. 19 to 21.
5:30pm: There are many different places to take in the views of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, but nothing tops what you’ll see at 1-Altitude. The world’s highest al fresco bar overlooks the whole track in all its glory. Be there as the sun goes down and the lights come on and watch the Formula 1 drivers get a feel for the circuit for the first time this year as Practice 1 flags off at 6pm.
7pm: Some of the biggest highlights of any race season happen off the track on the stages in Zones 1 and 4. The entertainment starts early on Friday (5:15pm in Zone 1 and 7pm in Zone 4), so ease your way into the action while supporting local music acts and enjoying the antics of roving performers.
8:30pm: Watch some of the famed Formula 1 cars of yesteryear being put to the test during the Masters Historic Racing Qualifying Session, then brace yourself for Formula 1 Practice 2 from 9:30pm to 11pm.
11pm: So the first day of racing is done, but the party is just getting started. Head to Zouk where the club is co-presenting the Gear Up Friday party with G.H. Mumm champagne. The event’s main draw is Dutch DJ Dash Berlin who has remixed for Justin Timberlake and has had his own tracks sampled by the likes of David Guetta.
Saturday
1pm: After a good sleep-in, you’re ready for day two, and what better way to kick start it than with brunch? Bacchanalia is presenting a Grand Prix Season Singapore brunch from 1pm to 7pm at the Orchid Main Ballroom of Marina Bay Sands. On the decks are an international cast of DJs including Mel Debarge who spins regularly in New York City, Atlantic City and Miami.
3:45pm: The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying Session commences at 3:45pm, followed closely by the first of two Masters Historic Races at 4:40pm and the third Formula 1 Practice at 6pm.
8pm: If you’ve got Zone 1 tickets, then you’re in for an electronic eargasm as Pet Shop Boys take to the stage for an hour-long set. Zone 4 ticketholders meanwhile will be treated to Lady in the Moon, an outdoor theatre production which tells the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival fable with a four metre tall puppet and aerialists performing 25 metres above ground level.
9pm: Now things start to get serious for the drivers with the Formula 1 qualifying session. No more practice runs, no more room for error – it’s the session that will define their chances on raceday.
10pm: With the starting order confirmed it’s time for more off-track entertainment. Ziggy Marley, son of the late great Bob Marley, hits up Zone 1 from 10pm to 11pm while over at Zone 4, the incomparable Robbie Williams will take you on a journey with hits like “No Regrets”, “Better Man”, “Angels” and more from 10:30pm to midnight.
Late: And now for the first of the two A-list parties that roll into town with the Grand Prix – The Podium Lounge. For three nights each year, the Grand Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is transformed into an ultralounge complete with Singapore’s largest pop-up island bar, an overhead catwalk and VIP balconies. Expect to see drivers, celebrities, royalty and a who’s who of the elite party scene. Freddie Hunt, whose father James Hunt won the 1976 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, will guest host, together with 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Sunday
4:30pm: After all the partying you’ve already done, it might be good to shift gears for a bit. The ongoing Sensorium 360° exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum will be holding Racing through the Senses – a series of special curator tours throughout the race weekend, concluding with a complimentary glass of champagne.
6pm: Feeling suitably cultured? Excellent, it’s back to the thick of things with the Poolside Pitstop Party at Pan Pacific Singapore. Located up on the fourth floor of the hotel, it’s an opportunity to chill before the race (or go totally wild, judging by the pictures). The party goes on until 3am.
8pm: It’s the moment everyone’s been waiting for. The five red lights will illuminate as the 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix begins. With Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton locked in a titanic battle for supremacy, Daniel Ricciardo waiting to capitalise if either of them slip up and defending World Champion (and 2013’s race-winner) Sebastian Vettel out to restore some pride, it promises to be the best race yet.
10:30pm: Now that the formalities and presentations are out of the way and the winning driver has been doused in champagne, Jennifer Lopez will close out the event at the Zone 4 stage in a way only she can.
Late: The race may be over for another year, but the party circuit has one last hurrah – Amber Lounge, home to the F1 drivers’ after party. Last year’s event was attended by 20 drivers including Lewis Hamilton, alongside celebrities like David Beckham.
Read Also:
5 F1 parties you're not supposed to know about
10 great events this weekend that have nothing to do with F1
7 great restaurants in Singapore that open till late
Now that we’ve looked after our readers who aren’t into F1, it’s time for us to turn our attention to the petrolheads and party animals. After seven editions, you’re probably familiar with the Grand Prix season drill, but with each year comes new parties, new headliners and new stories on the track. Here’s how you can get the most out of this year’s race.
Friday
Lunchtime: Every weekday in September, Italian restaurant Forlino will be doing their patriotic duty by serving the Forza Ferrari set lunch, a menu which features products from Emilia-Romagna, the home of Ferrari. Tuck into San Marzano tomato soup, classic beef ragout and 24 months aged Parmigiano Reggiano and you’ll be all set for the weekend ahead. Can’t make it for lunch? They also have a special menu for dinner from Sept. 19 to 21.
5:30pm: There are many different places to take in the views of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, but nothing tops what you’ll see at 1-Altitude. The world’s highest al fresco bar overlooks the whole track in all its glory. Be there as the sun goes down and the lights come on and watch the Formula 1 drivers get a feel for the circuit for the first time this year as Practice 1 flags off at 6pm.
7pm: Some of the biggest highlights of any race season happen off the track on the stages in Zones 1 and 4. The entertainment starts early on Friday (5:15pm in Zone 1 and 7pm in Zone 4), so ease your way into the action while supporting local music acts and enjoying the antics of roving performers.
8:30pm: Watch some of the famed Formula 1 cars of yesteryear being put to the test during the Masters Historic Racing Qualifying Session, then brace yourself for Formula 1 Practice 2 from 9:30pm to 11pm.
11pm: So the first day of racing is done, but the party is just getting started. Head to Zouk where the club is co-presenting the Gear Up Friday party with G.H. Mumm champagne. The event’s main draw is Dutch DJ Dash Berlin who has remixed for Justin Timberlake and has had his own tracks sampled by the likes of David Guetta.
Saturday
1pm: After a good sleep-in, you’re ready for day two, and what better way to kick start it than with brunch? Bacchanalia is presenting a Grand Prix Season Singapore brunch from 1pm to 7pm at the Orchid Main Ballroom of Marina Bay Sands. On the decks are an international cast of DJs including Mel Debarge who spins regularly in New York City, Atlantic City and Miami.
3:45pm: The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying Session commences at 3:45pm, followed closely by the first of two Masters Historic Races at 4:40pm and the third Formula 1 Practice at 6pm.
8pm: If you’ve got Zone 1 tickets, then you’re in for an electronic eargasm as Pet Shop Boys take to the stage for an hour-long set. Zone 4 ticketholders meanwhile will be treated to Lady in the Moon, an outdoor theatre production which tells the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival fable with a four metre tall puppet and aerialists performing 25 metres above ground level.
9pm: Now things start to get serious for the drivers with the Formula 1 qualifying session. No more practice runs, no more room for error – it’s the session that will define their chances on raceday.
10pm: With the starting order confirmed it’s time for more off-track entertainment. Ziggy Marley, son of the late great Bob Marley, hits up Zone 1 from 10pm to 11pm while over at Zone 4, the incomparable Robbie Williams will take you on a journey with hits like “No Regrets”, “Better Man”, “Angels” and more from 10:30pm to midnight.
Late: And now for the first of the two A-list parties that roll into town with the Grand Prix – The Podium Lounge. For three nights each year, the Grand Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is transformed into an ultralounge complete with Singapore’s largest pop-up island bar, an overhead catwalk and VIP balconies. Expect to see drivers, celebrities, royalty and a who’s who of the elite party scene. Freddie Hunt, whose father James Hunt won the 1976 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, will guest host, together with 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Sunday
4:30pm: After all the partying you’ve already done, it might be good to shift gears for a bit. The ongoing Sensorium 360° exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum will be holding Racing through the Senses – a series of special curator tours throughout the race weekend, concluding with a complimentary glass of champagne.
6pm: Feeling suitably cultured? Excellent, it’s back to the thick of things with the Poolside Pitstop Party at Pan Pacific Singapore. Located up on the fourth floor of the hotel, it’s an opportunity to chill before the race (or go totally wild, judging by the pictures). The party goes on until 3am.
8pm: It’s the moment everyone’s been waiting for. The five red lights will illuminate as the 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix begins. With Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton locked in a titanic battle for supremacy, Daniel Ricciardo waiting to capitalise if either of them slip up and defending World Champion (and 2013’s race-winner) Sebastian Vettel out to restore some pride, it promises to be the best race yet.
10:30pm: Now that the formalities and presentations are out of the way and the winning driver has been doused in champagne, Jennifer Lopez will close out the event at the Zone 4 stage in a way only she can.
Late: The race may be over for another year, but the party circuit has one last hurrah – Amber Lounge, home to the F1 drivers’ after party. Last year’s event was attended by 20 drivers including Lewis Hamilton, alongside celebrities like David Beckham.
Read Also:
5 F1 parties you're not supposed to know about
10 great events this weekend that have nothing to do with F1
7 great restaurants in Singapore that open till late