A Lap of the Singapore Grand Prix on Foot

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In ten days, the lights will go out to start the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. In just over a week, the first practice sessions will take place on the streets right in the heart of the city-state. Right now, I’m amped!

I attended every edition of this race faithfully for the last six seasons, and I spent good money that could have gone towards another holiday on watching the racing up close. This year will be no different. A world-class race that the F1 circus enjoys attending and that I could easily commute to via public transport is one of the few things that make me happy to live here.

One of my favourite things to do in the days leading up to the race is to walk the Marina Bay street circuit and see it take shape around me, and it is entirely possible up to midnight on Wednesday evening. A section around the paddock will be off-limits; however, I can still see the corners up-close and admire the landmarks from the middle of the street. That would be suicide at any other time of the year!

I’ve put together a gallery to take you on a walking tour around the track. With the exception of the first, penultimate and last photos, I photographed at ground level at different times of the day before the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. That means anyone can enjoy the same views that I managed to capture, and then some.

See also: Autograph-hunting tips, where to eat late at night and my secrets for the Grand Prix weekend.

Contents Show

The Singapore Grand Prix circuit, sector by sector

Sector 1

Singapore Grand Prix pit building and the front straight
The view from the Flyer of the pit building and the front straight on the right. It’ll be ‘green’ and slippery due to the lack of racing throughout the year and all the trash from the parties, marathons and cycling events that take place there.
.. right-handed Turn 2, which tightens into Turn 3
Brake hard from 260km/h for the first corner under the flyover, then flick the car into the right-handed Turn 2, which tightens into Turn 3
A Lap of the Singapore Grand Prix on Foot 1
... the right hand Turn 5. A good exit is important here.
… the right-hand Turn 5. Move the barriers away and it becomes a wide-entry corner. A good exit is important here.
"The
A Lap of the Singapore Grand Prix on Foot 2

Sector 2

A Lap of the Singapore Grand Prix on Foot 3
A little S bend follows before the track reaches its narrowest point on the 110-year old Anderson Bridge. Felipe Massa was still able to pass here!
A little S bend follows before the track reaches its narrowest point on the 110-year old Anderson Bridge. Felipe Massa was still able to pass here in 2012!
After the left-hand hairpin at Turn 13, the track opens up over the Esplanade Bridge. Turn 14 400 metres away shares the same junction as Turn 8 and is another prime overtaking spot.
After the left-hand hairpin at Turn 13, the track opens up over the Esplanade Bridge. Turn 14 400 metres away shares the same junction as Turn 8 and is another prime overtaking spot.

Sector 3

A brief kinked run into Turns 16 and 17 still saw a great duel between Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso.
A brief kinked run into Turns 16 and 17 still saw a great duel between Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso.
This was the scene of Crashgate in the first edition of the race. Otherwise it's a short stadium section between the stands and the water.
This was the scene of Crashgate in the first edition of the race. It’s just a short stadium section between the stands and the water.
Then the cars head under the grandstand - if they negotiate Turn 19 safely.
Then the cars head under the grandstand – if they negotiate Turn 18 safely.
"The
A Lap of the Singapore Grand Prix on Foot 4

Wondering what else to do in Singapore? Check out my two-week itinerary.

See also  5 Cool Singapore GP Tips Nobody Talks About