Singapore Grand Prix
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| Singapore Street Circuit | |
 |
|
| Race information | |
| Laps | 61 (est) |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 5.067 km (3.148 mi) |
| Race length | 309.087 km (192 mi) |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Graeme Lawrence (3) |
| Most wins (constructors) | March / Mildren / Brabham / Ferrari / McLaren / Elfin / Merlyn / Lotus (1) |
| Last race (1973): | |
| Pole position | Graeme Lawrence Surtees 1:57.1 |
| Podium | 1. Vern Schuppan March 1:38:58.3 |
| Fastest lap | Leo Geoghegan Birrana 1:54.9 |
The Singapore Grand Prix is a Formula One race set to stage its inaugural event on 28 September 2008. To be staged in the Marina Bay area of Singapore, the circuit has been given in-principle approval by the FIA,[1] Fomula One's governing body. The first Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore will also be Formula One's first night race[2].
Prior to the race becoming part of the Formula One calendar, the Singapore Grand Prix was held as a Formula Libre event in the 1960s and 1970s at the Thomson Road circuit.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Origins
First organised in 1961, the race was initially known as the Orient Year Grand Prix.[3] The following year, the race was renamed the Malaysian Grand Prix.[3] After Singapore attained its independence in 1965, the Thomson Road circuit, now Singaporean, ran its race as the Singapore Grand Prix. The event was discontinued after 1973 and a variety of reasons have been suggested, including an increase in traffic, the inconvenience of having to close roads for the event and fatal accidents during the 1972 and 1973 races.[4]. It is also thought that a surge of oil prices stemming from the Suez Crisis might have been to blame.[3]
[edit] Formula One
Singapore will host a round of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship. The race will be the first night-time event in Formula One history. [2] The timing of the night event means it can be broadcast at a convenient time for European TV audiences.[5]
An agreement for a five-year deal was signed by Singapore GP Pte Ltd, the Singapore Tourism Board and Bernie Ecclestone.[5] In November 2007 it was announced that the telecommunications company Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) will sponsor the event. The official name of the event will be the FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.[6]
Around 80,000 tickets will be available for the country's first Formula One race. Corporate hospitality suites and packages are on sale from end November 2007, with sale of three-day passes to the public due to start in December 2007. Single-day passes will be released for sale in the new year, subject to available inventory.[7]
[edit] Miscellaneous
[edit] Concerns
There were concerns from some quarters, particularly from the Malaysian Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said, that the proximity of the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, which is about 300 kilometres from Singapore, would create unhealthy competition.[8] The Malaysian Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Liow Tiong Lai stated that the Malaysian Government is unconcerned about possible competition from Singapore.[9]
[edit] Winners
[edit] Multiple winners (drivers)
| Number of wins | Driver | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Graeme Lawrence |
1969, 1970, 1971 |
[edit] By year
Events which were not part of the Formula One World Championship are indicated by a pink background.
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Location | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Singapore Street Circuit | Report | ||
| 2007- 1974 |
Not held | |||
| 1973 |  Vern Schuppan |
March-Hart | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1972 | Max Stewart |
Mildren-Waggott | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1971 | Graeme Lawrence |
Brabham-Ford | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1970 | Graeme Lawrence |
Ferrari | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1969 | Graeme Lawrence |
McLaren-Ford | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1968 | Garrie Cooper |
Elfin-Ford | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1967 |  Rodney Seow |
Merlyn-Ford | Thomson Road | Report |
| 1966 | Lee Han Seng |
Lotus-Ford | Thomson Road | Report |
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ In-Principle Approval for F1 Singapore Grand Prix Circuit. Singapore GP. Retrieved on 2007-10-02.
- ^ a b News - FIA green light Singapore night race. Formula1.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-25.
- ^ a b c A History of the Singapore Grand Prix. Snakes & Devils. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ Home - Sports In Independent Singapore - The Grand Prix. Singapore Sports Council. Archived from the original on 2006-09-29. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
- ^ a b News - Singapore confirms 2008 night race. Formula1.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
- ^ SingTel to sponsor first Singapore Grand Prix. Formula1.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-17.
- ^ Introduction to Singapore Grand Prix. Singapore GP. Retrieved on 2007-10-02.
- ^ Singapore News - Malaysia jittery over Singapore F1 roar. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
- ^ Malaysia unconcerned about Singapore GP. Motoring & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
[edit] External links
- Singapore Grand Prix Official Website
- Singapore confirms 2008 night race
- FIA green light Singapore night race
- Google Earth placemark of the circuit
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