Under the Lights: A Firsthand Look at the Singapore Grand Prix

The speed, the lights, the music, the drama… The Singapore Grand Prix is without a doubt one of our favourite F1 events.

As the original night race, there’s something special about experiencing it firsthand, so we sent our Sales Consultant, Seb, to The Lion City to do just that.

Now that the dust has finally settled on Singapore’s most glamorous weekend, we caught up with him to hear his insights on what was an exceptional show of racing, hospitality, and dining.

The Singapore Grand Prix is unlike any other race I’ve experienced, so I can't wait to use my firsthand insights to craft the ultimate experience for you next season.

What was your favourite moment at the Singapore Grand Prix? 

It isn't easy to pinpoint just one moment at such a spectacular event! The atmosphere at the Singapore Grand Prix is genuinely wild; the roar of the car's engines hurtling past, echoing beneath the underpasses, and feeling every vibration through your body is spine-tingling — There's a reason it featured so highly in our top races to watch this year!

If I had to pick a single moment, it would be seeing Sir Elton John live after all the excitement of a scintillating Grand Prix. It will be one of his last performances, and he was electrifying.

What was race day like?

The main race day was quite a lot busier compared to the practice and qualifying sessions. Far more fans were in attendance, particularly with Walkaround Tickets, so there was a bigger buzz around the circuit.
Despite the larger crowds, everything ran seamlessly, thanks to the excellent organisation, efficient crowd control and smooth security checks. I never had to wait or queue for anything.

That pre-race buzz ramped up into an out-of-this-world race atmosphere. With Singapore being a night race, the bright lights and music really amplify the energy.

The race itself was won by George Russell, who fully deserved the victory for his display of driving excellence. After qualifying in P1, he pulled away from the pack and led smoothly for the rest of the race.

The key moment for me was the tussle between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the start of the race. They're both gunning for the Drivers' Championship this year after securing the Constructors' Championship by finishing 3rd and 4th in Singapore. I think that skirmish at the start of the race is a sign of things to come between the two — all eyes are on the finale in Abu Dhabi!

Where did you sit over the weekend, and which Grandstand was your favourite?

I had tickets in the Pit Exit Grandstand, and I did this so you don’t have to!

To be honest, it wasn’t the best Grandstand for viewing. However, experiencing these things firsthand allows us to be specialists at these events, meaning we can use our expert, lived insight to recommend the best viewing positions.

The best Grandstands are the Turn 1 and Super Pit Grandstands in our experience.

Turn 1 Grandstand

Turn 1 is where you'll see all the cars bunch up and fight for position when the race starts, and there's always a lot of drama. You also get brilliant views of the start/finish lines, so you can see the winner cross the line, weave along the straight and fistpump the air.

Super Pit Grandstand

The Super Pit Grandstand offers panoramic views of the team garages just opposite, and you can spot drivers and celebrities on the starting grid. You'll also be in the prime spot to see the drivers cross the line and see the fireworks up close when they do.

What is the hospitality like at the Singapore Grand Prix?

I did have a tour of the Hospitality venues at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, but wasn’t allowed to stay too long as everything was fully booked — a reminder to book early to secure the best spots!

I had two favourite Hospitality venues: The Sky Suites & Twenty3. They both offered fantastic hospitality with contrasting vibes and atmospheres.

The Sky Suites

The Sky Suites feel more exclusive and offer a more 'corporate lounge-style' experience. They're positioned opposite the F1 pit lanes, so they have a superb vantage point for garages and team views. Plus, they have outside balcony grandstand seating exclusive to the Sky Suites with sweeping views of the circuit.

Twenty3 Hospitality

Twenty3 has a livelier atmosphere, with an indoor club-like bar, live DJ and music. It also has designated outdoor grandstand seating, which is nice for some variety across the race weekend. It's located adjacent to the Sky Suites, so you get similar views of the track regardless of which you opt for.

Both The Sky Suites and Twenty3 have rooftop terraces with ultimate race and skyline views looking out to the Singapore Flyer. It's also worth noting that all dining and designated grandstand seating are first-come, first-served.

What were the post-race concerts like? 

In short, they're an astonishing spectacle of sound and energy. Over the weekend, I saw Tom Grennan, Foo Fighters, Lewis Capaldi, and Sir Elton John, and I also popped by to see Sporty Spice (Mel C) on the decks for her DJ set near my Grandstand.

It's not often you get such an eclectic mix of talent and big names all performing in one place. When Elton John took to the stage, every note seemed to hang in the air like stardust; it was magical.

Like most concerts, expect crowds and large numbers of people. If you are going for a specific artist and want to be at the front, you need to get there early and stay there.

Unlike Abu Dhabi's concerts, the Singapore Grand Prix does not offer a Golden Circle upgrade that puts you at the front of the crowd.

If, like me, you went for the racing and the concerts were an added bonus, then you will find a place in the crowd, but you will usually be quite far back and watching on the big screen.

Where was your favourite dining experience, and what did you order? 

Because Singapore is such a vibrant and diverse cosmopolitan city, you can dine on anything and everything you want.

Down by the waterfront, you have Boat Quay (closest to the circuit), which leads to Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay (near where I stayed). Walking this route, you pass by a plethora of restaurants and bars.

There's a Vietnamese restaurant next to a Mexican restaurant next to a Singaporean restaurant, followed by Spanish Tapas and an Indian restaurant. The choices are endless!

Every meal I had was exceptional — the food was delicious, fresh and authentic to each cuisine. I was transported back to Barcelona with a Spanish Tapas lunch (I am half Spanish), but my favourite was the famous Chilli Crab with deep-fried bread buns at the Singaporean restaurant; it was exquisite.

What experiences would you recommend in Singapore over the Grand Prix weekend?

Walking around Singapore and soaking up the city was a big part of my experience, pausing for a bite here and a tipple there — it's my favourite way to explore Singapore.

Wandering through the narrow streets of Little India and Chinatown neighbourhoods, I was treated to a sensory feast of fragrant spices, striking architecture and cultural heritage.

Of course, you must visit Raffles and have a Singapore Sling while eating nuts at the bar, discarding the shells on the floor. It's always high on the list of quintessential things to do in Singapore and is one of those 'must-do' experiences.

For a change of pace, I’d also recommend a day at Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island, just 20 minutes from the Marina Bay Circuit. You can fit this in as a morning and afternoon activity, but if you can, it’s well worth extending your trip to go before or after the race weekend so your days aren't too hectic after late nights at the circuit.

After a day of exploring, the perfect place to unwind with a drink in hand is at Gardens by the Bay, where the daily light shows at 7 pm is not to be missed.

And surprisingly, one of the standout highlights was the airport itself, complete with a Butterfly Garden, immersive art installations, Canopy Park’s gardens and mazes, a spectacular indoor waterfall, and countless street food-style dining options.

Where did you stay, and what was it like?

I stayed at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Modern and stylish, it's one of the best places to stay over the Grand Prix weekend. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the Singapore waterfront, and the views invite you to head out and explore as soon as you check in.

The outdoor swimming pool is great for a quick dip before heading out to the circuit, and the hotel has several delightful restaurants that are open to the public.

I stayed here on a Bed and Breakfast basis, and the morning buffet was plentiful and varied, living up to Singapore's sky-high standards for cuisine.

It's about a 40-minute walk to the circuit, but oh, what a walk! It takes you along the riverfront and up through all kinds of bars and restaurants, and as the race is an afternoon/evening event, there's lots of time to stop and explore en route.

There is an MRT Station (the Singapore Metro) right outside the hotel, so you can get anywhere in the city in a flash if you need to or prefer not to walk. Grab Taxis (similar to Uber) are widely available, quick, efficient and bookable through an easy-to-use app. For more stylish circuit transfers, we have a range of premium vehicles available to book that can chauffeur you to the action.

Book your Singapore Grand Prix Holiday with Spectate

With the tickets the best grandstands and hospitality options at the biggest Grand Prix, there's no better way to experience the Singapore Grand Prix than on an F1 holiday than with us.

We go the extra mile with bespoke holidays tailored exclusively to you, including flights, the best hotels, experiences and extensions to help you make the most of your F1 experience. 

What's more, our expert hosts will take care of everything while you travel with a 24-hour concierge service to assist with excursion bookings, restaurant reservations and more — meaning you won't have to lift a finger on your Formula One holiday.

While our 2026 packages are still being finalised, you can pre-register your interest to be the first to know when they go on sale.

Call us on 01244 729 897 or make an online enquiry to start planning your ultimate F1 holiday!

Enjoy this blog?

If you liked this, you might enjoy:

Your Singapore Grand Prix Guide

Lewis Hamilton's Greatest Moments

The Most Exciting F1 Races

Or listen to our Product Manager, Simon, talk all things Formula One, from the luxurious super-yachts of the Monaco Grand Prix to the spectacular F1 finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on the Inspiring Travel Podcast below.