The Singapore Grand Prix is back again this year in Singapore, one of the few night races on the Formula 1 calendar. It sees cars racing in excess of 300km/hr along the winding through the streets around Marina Bay under floodlights. It is tad a full city spectacle of motorsport, entertainment, culture, dining, music, and fan zones. Let’s check out what on in this year’s “crown jewel of F1” on the Sunday race day.
On some history, the first Singapore GP took place in 2008. We even visited the Ferrari paddock area in 2009. Since then, the event is more than just a race, catering to a global audience, and promoting Singapore as a tourism and lifestyle destination. This 2025 edition, this race again delivered drama, spectacle, and a full carnival of supporting events. From my vantage as a Zone 4 walkabout ticket attendee, I got to move around many public areas, soak up atmosphere, and catch bits of race, concerts, fireworks, food stalls, and more.
Entering the race village as a Zone 4 walkabout attendee
The tight street circuit, the night setting, and the surrounding infrastructure make it a very demanding but yet visually striking spectacle. Notably, along the entry to the entrance, you can find several members of public looking to buy last minute tickets on the spot to enter the grounds.
Security through the gates is quick and took the most 10mins with a visual bag check. Once in the race village, you are free to roam the Zone 4 event grounds. This includes the Padang stage area, which needs additional purchase of wristbands to enter. Everything here screams money as nothing comes on top of your base race day entry ticket.
Moreover, your Zone 4 ticket is one of the more budget-friendly options available. It gives you access to general walkabout areas, public plazas, corridors between grandstands, fan zones, screens, and certain standing-only viewing vantage points (but no prime grandstand seating).
You have no seats allocated, which would cost you at least $100 more per day for a grandstand seat. Here you move around on foot, often weaving through crowds. Be prepared for some jostling, especially when a big race moment occurs. Having a portable umbrella or light rain jacket is wise, as Singapore tropical weather can surprise you.
Good viewing spots in Zone 4
Also, do arrive early at least 2 hours early to grab standing seats. Also, the crowds on free practice and qualifying are nowhere close to the massive crowds you get on race day. Everywhere is packed to the brim on race day, including the grandstands and standing platforms. This is also reflected on the day ticket sales, where race day tickets can cost upwards of twice for a single day to free practice days.
Additionally, a nice spot along Zone 4 be the War memorial stands facing the Singapore Recreation Club, and the Esplanade bridge area. Here, you could catch glimpses of cars making the Fullerton hotel hairpin- turn 13. This is the slowest corner of the track and flooring it through the Esplanade bridge straight towards turn 14 passing by tight walls, hear engine roars echoing off buildings, and catch the transitions under the floodlights.
Also, I found the event can make do with less overselling of tickets. Every single viewing deck on race day is packed full to the brim with people throughout the entire race. It does make for quite an packed unpleasant experience with no one wanting to leave or give up their spots.
Tips as a Zone 4 walkabout attendee
Moreover, do scout your viewing gaps early. Before the race, walk around corridors and identify gaps between grandstands. Then stake a spot (within your zone) before peak moments. Throughout the day, there are minor events from mid-afternoon like F1 Academy races, Porsche Carrera cup and the driver’s parade which you can plant yourself to catch, though most attendees won’t arrive till 6-7pm. Also, choose a spot with big screens smartly, these giant LED screens allows you to catch the highlights on other sectors of the track.
You will appreciate the flexibility, variety and movement of Zone 4 walkabout on less crowded days like free practice on Friday, and maybe Saturday’s qualifying, but not for Sunday race day. On Race day, every single viewing point packed to brim throughout. It is impossible to find any free viewing position during the race. You are very much grounded at your chosen viewing spot throughout the race, eliminating the chances of any walkabout. Hence, I would recommend a grandstand seat for race day itself for comfort and if you do not enjoy crowds.
Travel light and hydrate
On hygiene matters, do dress lightly as the air is often hot and humid, and hydrate yourself. Even under lights, Singapore is humid. Take breaks, sit when possible, and keep bottled water with you as you might be away from a toilet for the entire race duration of 2 hours. It is a good idea to bring a refillable water bottle (water refill stations are usually placed in fan zones). Do wear comfortable shoes as you be on your feet more than you expect. Also, do bring a portable electric fan and a portable power bank to keep your phone juiced up. You need it for event access, map, camera, and race app.
Ear protection is recommended but not compulsory, especially if you are not seated near the track. The Turbo-hybrid V6 engines are also notably quieter now. The esplanade is a great air-conditioned spot to beat the heat and its basement is home to water dispensers and clean toilets. It beats using the portable toilets at the Padang carnival areas. It drizzled moments before the start of the rain, but it cleared up quickly with thankfully no downpour. Having a foldable umbrella on the clearing is useful, and if it rains, use a poncho on the stands, and do not use umbrellas at the stands as you won’t have much space for it.
Race weekend highlights (2025 edition)
On the race itself, George Russell converted pole into a commanding win, leading from start to finish. Behind him, Max Verstappen held off Lando Norris to take second, while Norris grabbed third. What made this edition special: McLaren secured the Constructors’ Championship at this very race. The race was rather uneventful too, with this year is also a 2nd year in the row without any safety car incidents. There are a couple of light body and wall contact, but no major accidents which yielded in an retirements. There were no retirements and all 20 cars finished, which is rare for Singapore.
One of the major talking points is the intra-team clash between Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri right on lap one, stirring up championship tensions. This confrontation saw Norris overtook aggressively, making contact, which left Piastri visibly aggrieved. Also, the FIA declared this the first “heat hazard” race, because cockpit temperatures under the humid Singapore climate were expected to hit extremes. Drivers were permitted to use cooling vests or extra ballast in mitigation. The fastest lap fell to Lewis Hamilton (1:33.808 on lap 48), setting a new official race lap record. Notably, the pit lane speed limit had been raised (from 60 km/h to 80 km/h), which tightened strategies.
The race carnival, fireworks & concerts
Post-race, the entire city precinct became a festival. Outside the track, you can find fan zones and open plazas. Nearer to the pit building, there were branded displays, racing simulators, autograph sessions, pit walkabouts (for some ticket classes), merchandise stalls, sponsor activations, and food and drink villages.
It does felt less like a race weekend and more like a carnival that just happens to have a Grand Prix in its centre, fun-fair style bumper cars included!
Also, there is ample food offered in the fan villages, with a selection of western, hawker-style food, local fusion pop-ups, gelato, and beers. You can have them from the stands or the few beer gardens in the Padang event area.
Also, as the event draws international visitors, you also get an international food selection like sushi, burgers, tacos, and dessert. Prices are premium, of course, typical event mark-ups. Re-entry to the event ground is allowed, where you can alternatively dine in the Marina bay shopping malls or food courts with better value.
Fireworks lit the sky above the circuit right after Russel crossed the finishing line first. You get the best views of the fireworks from the Esplanade bridge in my zone 4. Zone 4 is also where the big concerts are held-post race. Here you can find big name acts and local bands performed on stages near spectator zones with music genres ranging from pop, EDM, rock, catering to wide tastes and depending on which of the 3 days you are attending.
Elton John’s post-race Padang concert
Despite his age and health, Elton John was nothing short of electric. His one-night concert started right after the race at 10:20am and almost stretching into midnight. He captures the audience the moment he stepped onto the stage, with voices ready to sing along. His piano shimmered under the stage lights, with his fingers dancing along the piano like a skilful artist who perfected his craft. The chords of Rocket Man filled the night, you could feel a wave of energy sweep through the Marina Bay area.
Notably, you do not need to be an Elton John fan to appreciate his music. You be drawn in by the sheer presence he carried as he played and sung the timeless classics all from memory. Between songs, he chatted with the crowd, tossing in bits of humour and gratitude that made the whole show feel intimate despite the massive audience. He even introduced the band member who some had been with him since the 70s.
Wrapping up
After the event, do plan for transport out and avoid the mass exit after the race and concert. Know alternate exits, shuttle timings, and have a backup plan (walk further, bus stops further out). Also, the event exits seldom get crowded immediately after the race. It is recommended to leave about 15minutes before the last Padang concert ends. The MRT from City Hall station does a good job in getting crowds out fast, though do expect bumper to bumper traffic going into the station.
All in all, that wraps up this year’s Singapore GP event. The event weekend felt like a whirlwind of sound, lights, and emotion packed into one humid night. A walkabout ticket is ideal for less crowded days, where you can roam about and catch new viewing points. Though I would prefer to grab a grandstand seat in the future. The race weekend was some kind of organised chaos that somehow just worked if you do not mind being packed like sardines. It was not just about the race, but the atmosphere, the shared thrill, and that fleeting, electric sense of being exactly where the action was.
