October 05, 2008

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Singapore recently hosted the world's first night Grand Prix, which was a spectacular success for spectators ( unless of course you are a Ferrari fan!). Matt was quite easily convinced by friend Shane to attend the race, despite never having watched F1 on TV or otherwise, and left the weekend a F1 fan.

There was a palpable sense of excitement as nearly 100,000 people streamed into the inner city to watch the race from a number of grandstands built around the circuit - 40,000 of them visitors from overseas. We were located in the Bay Stand which has a brilliant view over the city skyline and Marina Bay, but which also boasted two large TV screens which are critical to monitor developments in other parts of the circuit, as well as maintaining some sense of order as safety cars and pit stop strategies make it increasingly difficult to easily gauge the true race order.

Perched high in the stand in the balmy air, you could hear the first lap of the race moving around the the city, creating a growing sense of anticipation very different from the earlier practise sessions, where times were critical but where the drivers were not all on the track together. As the cars weaved around Turns 16 and 17 and into our view, the unmistakable scream of the engines was deafening and added to the energy of the crowd, with the machines disappearing in seconds after a sharp turn right under the stadium and directly beneath the crowds above.

Despite the two hours and planned 61 laps, there was no shortage of excitement as a number of dramas unfolded including a number of crashes and a pit stop drama with the ensuing (and controversial) reordering of the race. After two incidents, Ferrari was predictably upset with this inaugural event. However after some luck with the safety car, the race was won by ...