WHETHER YOU’RE A GRAND PRIX GROUPIE OR LOOKING FOR A GRAND TIME, SINGAPORE HOSTS THE WORLD’S FIRST-EVER FORMULA ONE NIGHT-TIME RACE THIS MONTH. CLAIRE B. DE GUZMAN HAS THE TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON YOU MUST NOT MISS
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an F1 fanatic, a party-phile, or a fashionista. The SingTel Singapore Grand Prix Season 2008 – held over three weekends from September 20 to October 5 – will surely get your engine revved up for fun! Apart from Singapore playing host to the world’s first nighttime Formula One race, there are A-list parties and concerts, world-class art and car shows, plus loads of adrenaline-inducing, top-class events making every corner of the island an exciting pit-stop. We’ve got your action plan right here.
1 STEER A REAL RACE CAR
Get an eye-full of some of the sexiest, speediest cars of the century by heading to the ING Renault F1 Team Pavilion, where sleek power Renault Formula One racing cars are on display. You needn’t be a car enthusiast to drool over speed road stars like the Renault F1 R28 show car, the Mégane Renault F1 Team R26 and the Clio Renault F1 Team R27. In fact, get your hands on a full-size replica of a real Formula One steering wheel and enjoy lots of behind-the-scenes F1 team trivia via interactive storyboards. Then take home exclusive ING Renault F1 Team collectibles and souvenirs, some made with actual parts of the
Formula One car.
A-listers like Heidi Klum
and Gisele Bundchen
(at right) have partied
at the Amber Lounge2 PARTY LIKE AN F1 STAR
Where do Grand Prix race drivers, team sponsors, models, and celebrities party after the race? Two words: Amber Lounge, Formula One’s very hip nightclub. Singapore is one of five race destinations aside from Monaco, Barcelona, Valencia, and Shanghai to host this glam, A-list party venue during Formula One Week. Project Runway host Heidi Klum, McLaren-Mercedes driver David Coulthard, and supermodel Giselle Bundchen are a few stars who’ve partied at the Amber Lounge. Enjoy the VIP bars and non-stop flowing champagne from 10:30pm and into the wee hours. 27-28 September, Millennia Waterfall, near Conrad Centennial Singapore, www.amber-lounge.com
3 ENJOY JAZZ FOR A CAUSE
Imagine tuning in to cool jazz beats underneath the stars, with cocktail in hand. Sound good? It’s even better when you’re listening to the Queen of Jazz herself – multi-Grammy winner Diana Krall – as she sings live in concert. The world’s best-selling female jazz artist (she has over 13 million records sold) kicks off her Asian Tour 2008 with this exclusive pre-F1 concert in Singapore. Get swept away by her renditions of favorites like “Cry Me a River”, “Just the Way You Are,” and “The Look of Love.” The bonus? Proceeds from Diana Krall’s Singapore concert will go to Caring for Cambodia, a charity that helps more than 5,600 students, 90 teachers, five schools, kindergartens, and a teacher training center in Cambodia. 26 September, Marina at Keppel Bay, www.dianakrall.com
4 SEE AN UNDERWATER CAR
Check out the sQuba – it’s the world’s first submersible car inspired by James Bond and displayed for the first time in Asia at The Singapore Motorshow 2008. It’s just one of several unique concept cars also showcased. You can also catch international display driver Russ Swift and his son Paul perform daredevil stunts. Also worth watching is multi-awarded Australian artist Darren Argaet, who will transform steel parts into stunning pieces of art right before your very eyes. 26 September– 5 October, Suntec Singapore, www.motorshow.com.sg
5 SHOP AND DINE
Shopping and eating are the favorite pastimes of Singaporeans, which makes perfect sense that great shopping malls are found within the Singapore F1 circuit! Racers will whizz by the overhead street mall that links Marina Square to Pan Pacific Hotel. From 16–21 September, check out the mockup of the 5.1-kilometer track circuit and a custom-built simulator of the F1 race right inside Marina Square. Famished from your shopping spree? Check out the menus at My Humble House, a restaurant that is anything but humble! #02-27, The Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue, tel: +65 6423 1881
6 BECOME MORE ART-ICULATE
Chastity by Tang Ling Nah
Creative types, prepare for a jolt-to-the-senses experience at the Singapore Biennale 2008 (www.singaporebiennale.org), which will be held from 11 September—16 November at City Hall, South Beach and Marina Bay. This year’s theme is “Wonder”, so anticipate unusual and provocative art from 50 renowned and emerging artists from over 36 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Organized by the Singapore National Arts Council, the Bienalle runs for 10 weeks, so there’s enough time to really take it all in. Craving even more art? Stroll on Orchard Road or by the Singapore River and admire supersized sculptures by modern masters Fernando Botero, Arman Fernandez, Robert Combas, and Jean Dubuffet. Paintings of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse await you at the Opera Gallery at Ngee Ann City, 25 September — 26 October, www.operagallery.com
Grab a riverside view of the
action at Clarke Quay
7 CELEBRATE BY THE RIVER
Head down by the river to Clarke Quay and Boat Quay for the Singapore River Festival from 19-28 September. Start with Timbre MusicFest 2008’s outdoor concerts at Timbre @ The Arts House for 10 nights of pop, retro, funk, R&B, Motown, and acoustic rock performances by Singapore’s homegrown artists and bands. Party hearty at Clarke Quay’s Ministry of Sound, IndoChine Waterfront at Empress Place and Zouk. Over at The Central mall, be wowed by Southeast Asia’s first-ever illusion show, The Impossible Journey, by Singapore-born magician J C Sum and “Magic Babe” Ning. Or soak up culture and get great shots of the float parade, where six traditional bumboats will be dressed up. You’ll love the culminating dance drama, Legenda Singapura.
Kimi Raikonnen
8 RACE WITH A F1 DRIVER
Catch Nico Rosberg of the AT&T Williams F1 Team at the Oris Air Asia Grand Prix Challenge on 25 September. Drive a F1 race car with a life-size T&T Williams F1 Team simulator. If you’re fast enough, you might win a chance to race against Rosberg! At the Racing Legends of our Time exhibit by TAG Heuer, snag photo-ops with reigning world champ, Scuderia Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and British world vice-champion 2007 and best rookie ever, Lewis Hamilton. Equally impressive is TAG Heuer’s 150 limited edition F1 watches and brand new motor-racing inspired timepiece. 29 August— 28 September, Tang Plaza
9 GO STAR GAZING
No other international sporting event holds quite the same attraction as the Formula One race, so expect high-flying stars and personalities to make their way to Singapore to catch the action. On a lucky day during F1 week, you may spot Asian heartthrob and Amazing Race Asia host Allan Wu, MediaCorp artiste Tay Ping Hui, and Singaporean actress Wong Lilin, among other celebrities. You may even bump into hot race car drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Eddie Irvine, and Heikki Kovalainen, U2 lead singer Bono, Hollywood stars Kevin Spacey and Kid Rock, or stylish supermodels Naomi Campbell, Elle McPherson, and Helena Christensen. So remember to bring your camera!
10 GROOVE WITH BOB MARLEY’S POSSE
Famous for their work with the legendary Bob Marley, The Wailers will regale F1 ticket holders with a live performance of their much-loved reggae classics like “Waiting in Vain” and “Get Up, Stand Up.” They have sold over 250 million albums worldwide and have performed with Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder, and Santana. This one’s a free event for F1 ticket holders – what a grand treat! For inquiries and venue information, log on to www.singaporegp.sg
HOW TO GET THERE Cebu Pacific flies to Singapore from Manila, Cebu and Davao daily. Visit www.cebupaci.#64257; cair.com for details
FORMULA ONE TICKET INFO Call the hotline at +65 6738 6738, or visit OMNITicket Network counters at Forum Shopping Center, Marina Square, Singapore Visitors Center at Orchard Road, and Singapore Post Offices. Log onto the Singapore Grand Prix Season 2008 official website at www.singaporegp.sg
PHOTOS BY PHOTOLIBRARY / GETTY IMAGES
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