Sunday, September 27, 2009

Third Day of F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore

Performances by Beyonce and The Black Eyed Peas.

Performances by The Black Eyed Peas

Let's Get Started





I Wanna Rock Right Now



Beyonce's Performances

Crazy



Naughty Girl





More videos here

Friday, September 25, 2009

Second Day of F1 Rocks Concert Singapore

Second day of F1 Rocks Concert include performances by No Doubt, N*E*R*D, ZZ Top, and Simple Minds.


She Wants to Move performance by N*E*R*D.



video source

No Doubt performances

Don't Speak



Ex-Girlfriend




They also performed hits like Sunday Morning, Bathwater and Hey Baby.

video source

Thursday, September 24, 2009

First Day of F1 Rocks Concert Singapore

Performances by A Big Mouth, Soda Green, A-Mei and Jacky Cheung for the first night of F1 Rocks Concert Singapore.


Small Love Song by Soda Green




Performances by A-Mei








Kiss Goodbye by Jacky Cheung







Video Source

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Lindsay Lohan to Host F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore

Hollywood star and a singer herself, Lindsay Lohan is set to replace Pussycat Doll's Nicole Scherzinger in hosting the 3 day musical extravaganza F1 Rocks Concert Singapore.

Paul Morrison, chief executive officer of British-based events company All The Worlds, the concert promoter behind F1 Rocks said that they got a call saying that Lindsay Lohan is really keen in coming over to Singapore for the event.

According to Morrison, other considerations for the position included singer Katy Perry, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham as well as "a number of the Spices".

Scherzinger reportedly pulled out of F1 Rocks last week after splitting with her F1 driver boyfriend Lewis Hamilton.

F1 Rocks, a three-day concert which is held in conjunction with the Formula One night race in Singapore, features big names like Beyonce, Black-Eyed Peas, No Doubt, Mando-pop artistes Jacky Cheung and A-Mei.

F1 Singapore Race on your iPhone

Guess what?!? All iPhone and F1 fans out there, hear this out. There's going to be a new application for the iphone as well as for the itouch that lets you track the latest F1 race.

Yep, that's right. You'll have an edge over other budget viewers who'll only get to see a small portion of the race.

The starter pack allows you to use the application on practice races for US$1.99. If you want to view the timing and map for the actual race days, like the upcoming Singapore F1 night race, you can purchase them in the application itself for US$3.99. Other races cost between US$2.99 to US$4.99. The Championship pass for the entire season goes for US$14.99.

This application also works with the iPod touch but requires you to have Wi-Fi Internet access during the races.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Ticket Prices and Schedules for the Inaugural F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore

The schedule of performances for F1 Rocks Concert Singapore:

24th Sept THURSDAY

Jacky Cheung
A-Mei
Sodagreen
Da Mouth

25th Sept FRIDAY

ZZ Top
N*E*R*D
Simple Minds
No Doubt

26th Sept SATURDAY

Beyonce
The  Black Eyed Peas
Havana Brown


Tickets for F1 Rocks have been on sale from Aug 5 at www.f1rocks.com. Standard advanced ticket prices:
• S$175 + booking fee — Thursday
• S$185 + booking fee — Friday
• S$200 + booking fee — Saturday

Depending on availability, tickets can be purchased at the door:

• S$185 + booking fee — Thursday
• S$195 + booking fee — Friday
• S$210 + booking fee — Saturday
Doors open at 17:00 hours during all three days. For further information, visit www.f1rocks.com.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Key Evidence in Renault F1 Singapore Controversy

Flavio Briatore, Renault F1 team principal is quite in a a fix after Nelson Piquet Jr, the team's former driver, who has claimed that he was asked by the team to crash in Singapore night race, and PAt Symonds, the Renault director of engineering, were offered immunity by the FIA in return for full disclosure of what went on at the night race last September.

The figure now in the unfolding of this whole drama is Symonds, who is alleged to have given Piquet detailed instructions about when and where to crash. Symonds was told by FIA twice that he could escape punishment if he provided information about the incident.

The whole scenario just put Symonds in a difficult situation. If he is going to stand by Briatore, he and the Italian risk being banned from F1 if they are found guilty; if he testifies in exchange for immunity,he may be perceived by others as only trying to save his own skin at the team's expense.

Quite a fix he is in, indeed.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Renault Seemed to Accept F1 Crash Charge

Following speculations of whose side Pat Symonds, chief engineer of Renault team will take during his meeting with FIA, recent unfolding of this controversy will see the departure of both Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds from the F1 team.

This followed after Renault F1 team decided not to dispute the crashgate controversy allegations in a statement.

"It (Renault) also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore, and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team," it added.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Singapore All Set and Geared up for the Inaugural F1 Rocks Concert Singapore

Not contented with holding the world's only night, Singapore will hold the inaugural F1 Rocks Concert - a 3 day music extravaganza with performances by artistes who between them have sold over 300 million records worldwide, making this a truly mega star line up.

Along with the global sensation that is F1 Rocks Concert Singapore, two TV programmes will be produced and will be broadcast worldwide across a potential 188 Formula One territories; the  first, from F1 ROCKS Singapore with LG will be an hour-long music and entertainment show, giving viewers unlimited access to F1 Rocks and the glamorous world of Formula One with A-List music stars, celebrity interviews, TV stunts, unique performances as well as aspirational and lifestyle features.

The second will be a highoctane Music Special, showcasing the best live music performances and interviews from F1 Rocks.

No Doubt to perform at F1 ROCK concert in Singapore

AMERICAN super group No Doubt is set to join ZZ Top, Simple Minds and N.E.R.D for an exclusive ­performance on Sept 25 at F1 ROCK Singapore.

The show will be a number of firsts for No Doubt, hot off the back of its sell-out first tour in over five years.

F1 ROCK Singapore with LG will be the band’s first ­performance outside of the US in seven years and its first outdoor show in ­Singapore ever.

No Doubt was formed in Anaheim, California, in early 1987.

It has never looked back since with hits ­including Don’t Speak, Hella Good, Just a Girl and Spiderwebs, and having sold a staggering 30 million albums worldwide.

The band’s unique ska/new wave sound has earned it numerous awards ­including six MTV Video ­Music Awards, two ­Grammy’s, four EMA nominations, two Brit nominations and the most consecutive weeks at the top of Billboard’s 100 Airplay Chart title in 1997.

Drummer Adrian Young, bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and lead singer Gwen Stefani form one of the most talented pop groups of our generation.

Kanal has ­collaborated with P!nk on her No.1 ­single ­Funhouse while ­Stefani’s highly-­acclaimed solo career has earned her four MTV awards, a Brit, an MTV Asia Award nomination for ­Innovation and five EMA award nominations.

“This has already been an incredible year of touring for our band and we’re excited to keep it going by reconnecting with our amazing fans in Singapore,” said Kanal.

For this event, Universal Music has teamed up with LG Electronics as F1 ROCK founding World Series partner.


Source


" I don't know about you, but No Doubt alone is reason enough to watch this concert. Add to the line up Beyonce, N.E.R.D, the Black Eyed Peas, Simple Minds and ZZ Top and you've got a very grand musical extravaganza"

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Nicole Scherzinger Pulls Out of F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore

Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger is said to have pulled out of the inaugural F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore 2 weeks before the event because she has broken up with world champion Lewis Hamilton.

She is due to host the F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore introducing performers like Beyonce and the Black Eyed Peas.

But a source told the tabloid that Hamilton has ended the relationship due to the pressure on him to get married.

"The last thing Nicole wanted to be doing is anything to do with formula one now -- so she immediately pulled out of F1 Rocks," the source said.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

More Singaporean scrutineers in this year's F1 night race

Srutineers, whose job comes with a heavy responsibility, have their eyes and ears on the ground to ensure that Formula 1 teams play by the rule book.

A total of 35 scrutineers will be involved in this month's F1 race in Singapore. There are 30 Singaporeans in the team, up from 20 last year – an indication of a growing interest in motor sports here.

These men will be the ground representatives for the world motor sport governing body FIA, watching every move of the teams and their cars in the pit garage.

One of the scrutineers, Chiew Yee Kin, was involved with the Red Bull team last year, looking after David Coulthard's car.

"Let's say the team's component needs to be changed. The scrutineer has to hold that component in his hand until the end of the race and then he has to hand it over to FIA... some of them hold springs and screws for the whole duration," said Mr Chiew.

Nuts and bolts aside, there is also a long checklist they have to scrutinise – from the weight of the car to other safety aspects like height and aerodynamics.

Although the work hours are long, with shifts that run into the wee hours of the morning, the scrutineers are taking it all in their stride.

Lan Leimin, one of the scrutineers for the Singapore F1 race, said: "The pit garage is already a packed place that is full of action and a lot is taking place in such a small space, and we, as scrutineers, try not to get in the way of the mechanics and engineers working on the car at any point of time."

Another challenge for them is to stay focused and impartial.

"(I have to) stop ogling at the cars and keep in track with the responsibility that I am tasked with. There is a possibility I will get distracted with all the cars and drivers, but I will do my best to stick to the plan," said Mohd Sharael.

The Singapore Motor Sports Association said the total number of race officials this year is down to 800, compared to the 1,000 who took part in 2008. There is also a decline in the number of female race officials, with only 88 compared to 106 in the inaugural race last year.



By Patwant Singh
Source



" Tough job they have, if I may say so myself. How can you be so near racing cars and celebrity drivers and not get distracted? I'm sure I can't."

Friday, September 11, 2009

Inaugural F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore in Full Force.

Singapore held the venue of the first night race. Now, it is all set for the first ever F1 Rocks concert.

Among the top artist performing is No Doubt fronted by Gwen Stefani. This will be the first they will perform in concert after 4 years outside the US.

“Playing in South East Asia has always been a great experience for us,” said bassist Tony Kanal. “So when the opportunity to be a part of the F1 ROCKS™ Singapore event came up, we knew it was time for us to return. This has already been an incredible year of touring for our band and we’re excited to keep it going by reconnecting with our amazing fans in Singapore.”

The full line-up for F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG:

Thursday September 24 - Jacky Cheung, A-Mei, Da Mouth and Sodagreen
Friday September 25 - ZZ Top, No Doubt, Simple Minds and N*E*R*D
Saturday September 26 – Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and Havana Brown

Aerial View of F1 Marina Bay Singapore Circuit

Grandstand seats and walkabout tickets may bring you right next to the rubber-burning action, but nothing beats watching the night race, champagne popping in air-conditioned comfort, while not missing a single beat of the race. In this photo story, we highlight the best views from various trackside hotels along the Marina Bay Street Circuit.


Evrybody may be trying to get their hands on an F1 grandstand or walkabout tickets where  real time action is. However, not everyone cares for all that sweat inducing activity especially with Singapore temperature.

Well, for all F1 fanatics who fall into the second category, Cnet Asia delivers aphoto story of the various hotels around the Marina Bay circuit that would give a very good view of the race.

Take for example the above picture, taken from Level 25, room 2510 of Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore. This one has the aerial view of turn 6 flat-out track just before cars switch from sixth to seventh gear. The fastest recorded speed last year was set by Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren Mercedes at 298kmh. According to the hotel, approximately 300 rooms have views of the track.

For more of the photo story, pls. click here

Thursday, September 10, 2009

F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore Different - Apl of the Black Eyed Peas

Apl of the Black Eyed Peas said their upcoming F1 Rocks concert in Singapore will be very different from anything seen so far.

"This time round, we've got a big production with our show," he said. "The stage is incredible: We have crazy visuals and lasers, and we're actually doing routines this time around! It's very exciting for us! This is the first time we're doing something like this. It's going to be our biggest show."

For the record, Apl said Singapore is a must when the Black Eyed Peas tour Asia. "When we do Asia, we always go there first," he said. "Singapore is a great place! It's a melting pot of ethnicity and you guys rock out! You guys love the music and the culture, and everybody is so nice.

"But we have to remember to be careful not to throw any trash on the ground!" he laughed. 







Black Eyed Peas will be joined by other top artists such as Beyonce, N.E.R.D, ZZ Top, A -Mei, Jacky Cheung among others for the biggest and grandest music extravaganza in Singapore - F1 Rocks Concert 2009.






Merlion Park All Pimped Up for F1 Grand Prix Singapore

This year's Singapore F1 is laden with many festivities such as F1 Rocks Concert and Singapore GP Season.

Being a national icon of Singapore, the Merlion is all decked out with black and white flag - typical of an F1 race and red and white flag, symbolizing Singapore.

The Merlion Park is decorated with a series of 20 flags of alternate colors and a all read all ready to welcome to Singapore's Formula One night race later this month.


'We wanted to add to the atmosphere in the Marina Bay area by creating a fun and memorable photo opportunity of one of Singapore's most popular icons standing tall amidst a wave of chequered flags,' said Mr Chang Chee Pey, STB's director of brand management.

'Last year's Merlion dress-up proved very popular with both visitors and local residents, and we strongly encourage everyone to visit the Merlion Park today to capture a slice of the race action in the city.'

The race-themed decorations are on display till Oct 9.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Changi GP Festival Kicks Off with Changi Airport Race

Changi Airport Race - a race of a Jett8 Airlines Boeing 747 and a Porsche 911 GT3 Carrera Cup car has kicked off and will soon be followed by a series of race related activities at the airport to celebrate the Singapore GP season.

Running from the 5th of September to the 30th, highlights of the festival include a go-kart station right at the airport.

Minister Lim said, "The line-up of race-related activities right here at Changi Airport will enhance the unique Changi experience. Beyond being an efficient airport, Changi Airport will be showcased as an exciting venue for passengers and the public.”

McLaren F1 driver Hekki Kovalainen is expected to make an appearance at Changi Airport on the 23rd September 2009. Further details will be announced.

Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group, Mr Lee Seow Hiang said, “The Changi GP Festival is about celebrating Singapore’s GP season, and bringing the excitement of the race closer to our passengers and airport visitors. This is part of our on-going effort to deliver memorable experiences and happy memories at Changi. We welcome everyone to join us in this celebration.”

Rubens Barrichello to Blame for Crashgate Scandal

FLAVIO BRIATORE incredibly tried to blame Brawn GP star Rubens Barrichello for the Crashgate scandal that has landed Renault with a race-fix charge.

The FIA have charged Renault with telling their own driver Nelson Piquet Jr to crash so the safety car would come out, helping their other driver Fernando Alonso.

Piquet smashed into a wall on lap 14 of F1's Singapore Grand Prix last September, forcing the safety car onto the track after which Alonso took the lead and went on to win.

But Renault's multi-millionaire boss Briatore insisted the safety car only came out after Barrichello conked out in his Honda on the next lap.

TV footage shows the safety car was out before Jenson Button's team-mate stopped.

Briatore - co-owner of football club QPR - blamed Barrichello in the immediate aftermath of the incident, which happened in F1's first floodlit night race.

The Italian tycoon was quizzed on Speed TV after Alonso's surprise victory. The interviewer said: "Even Nelson Piquet chipped in. If not for his safety car, Fernando wouldn't have been there."

But Briatore, who had admitted beforehand his team needed a miracle to win, replied: "We don't know. No, because it was Barrichello. The safety car was out for Barrichello.

"The miracle was done by Fernando Alonso and the team because everybody was working very hard for this result and we are very happy."

Renault have been summoned before an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on September 21 and face being booted out of the sport.

Barrichello was just ahead of Piquet when his fellow Brazilian smashed into the wall.

But the race video clearly shows Barrichello was not involved in the incident and was not a factor in the safety car being deployed.

Piquet - sacked by Renault last month for poor results - even admitted that the team wanted a safety car out because Alonso had been short-fuelled.

He said: "The accident was my mistake. We tried two extreme strategies with Fernando quite short and me quite long in the hope of getting a safety car."

Piquet has been ordered by lawyers not to say anything before the Paris hearing when his and Renault's fate will be decided.

But the 24-year-old, unlikely to get another drive in F1, admitted to "strange situations" that season and blasted Briatore as his "executioner".

Piquet, who was beaten to the GP2 title by Britain's current F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2006, said: "The conditions I have had to deal with during the last two years have been very strange to say the least.

"There are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself. After the opening part of the season, some strange situations began to happen."

Briatore, double world champ Alonso and Renault's technical chief Pat Symonds were all interviewed by FIA officials at last weekend's Belgian GP.

Investigators have also been analysing the telemetry readings from Piquet's car to see if he took the corner on lap 14 differently to previous times.

And they have checked the pit-to-car radio conversations for signs of any coded calls to Piquet. The Sao Paulo-born driver is understood to have been asking which lap he was on in the the run-up to the crash - despite it being so early in the race.

The sport's governing body have also called in Quest, the private intelligence agency, to look into the incident, which could lead to criminal charges and multi-million pound lawsuits.

If Renault are found guilty of ordering Piquet to crash they could be liable to claims by race fans, marshals or fellow drivers for putting their lives at risk.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who co-owns QPR with long-time friend Briatore, said: "The WMSC have been called to find out what's gone on. It does not mean Renault are guilty.

"Flavio is insisting that he knows nothing about it.

"But it is not good for the sport.

"People seem to be spending money betting on F1 which is good, but they will not want to do that if they think something is wrong with the result."


By Ian Gordon
Source


"Anything goes wrong and everybody's starting to point fingers. It's really amazing, isn't it? Very typical."

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

BEYONCE'S BONKERS 37-SEC FLIGHT

WE had our suspicions that the likes of Beyonce, Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani wouldn’t be too troubled by the credit crunch.

But news of their latest lavish extravagance at the F1 ROCKS concerts in Singapore really does take the biscuit.

The stars will take a 37-second helicopter ride from their hotel to the concert venue about a mile away.

We kid you not.

Our source at the Grand Prix event said: “These stars need a stylish and speedy journey to their performances, so a helicopter journey – even one of under a minute – is the only way to go.”

But our snitch insisted: “This is not a case of diva demands but necessity.

“The stars will be staying in Singapore’s top hotel, which is only a short journey to where the concerts are being held – but we’re  expecting hundreds of thousands of people to line the streets for the race.

“It isn’t an option to have stars like Beyonce and Pharrell sitting in traffic and going nowhere and that’s what would happen if they tried to go by car because of road blocks and the crowds along the F1 circuit.”

So it’s a ride over the heads of the humble punters instead.

Organisers of F1 ROCKS predict performances by No Doubt, Black Eyed Peas, N.E.R.D, Beyonce and Simple Minds, combined with the Singapore Grand Prix, will make the event at the end of September – due to be screened in 188 countries – bigger than the Olympics.

Source


" If this were to happen in big cities like London or New York, I wouldn't be surprised. But in Singapore??? And downtown area at that, where every building seems to be only blocks away. This really is bonkers."

Sunday, September 6, 2009

F1 ROCKS concert in Singapore Confirms Final Mega Star Line-Up

Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and No Doubt is all set to headline "F1 ROCKS SINGAPORE WITH LG".
All the World (ATW) has announced that Singapore will hold the inaugural and world premiere F1 ROCKS concert and it will take place this coming September 24-26 alongside Formula 1 weekend night race.

Bringing together the world's most popular annual sporting series with the most iconic music stars, F1 ROCKS(TM) will create an unrivalled experience for F1 and music fans alike.

Some of the biggest top notch perfomers on this side and the other side of the planet, including multi award-winning artists: Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt, ZZ Top, Simple Minds, N*E*R*D and a host of Asian superstars like Jacky Cheung and A-mei among others will also perform the first F1 ROCKS(TM) live at Fort Canning Park, Singapore. Between them they have sold over 300 million records worldwide, making this a truly mega-star line up. Top F1 drivers and celebrities will also be making guest appearances, in what will certainly be a star-studded weekend in Singapore.


Paul Morrison, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, All the Worlds/ F1 ROCKS(TM) quoted as saying, "I am delighted to be launching F1 ROCKS(TM) in Singapore and very pleased to have Singapore as our inaugural event. The world's only F1TM night race just got bigger, faster and louder. Our talent is world class and F1 ROCKS(TM) will rock Singapore!"

"Singapore is making history as the launch city of F1 ROCKS(TM) and this spectacular occasion will add a unique edge to the Singapore GP Season and bolster our reputation as Asia's top lifestyle destination," said Jason Ong, Area Director for Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board, "We have worked with leading travel agents in the Middle East to create special packages for the Singapore Formula 1 race and we have received keen interest amongst Middle East travelers for this groundbreaking event."Jim Kerr, band member of F1 ROCKS(TM) headliners Simple Minds, says the band can't wait to experience the sensational atmosphere in Singapore: "There aren't many areas in the music arena that haven't been tapped into, but when we heard about F1 ROCKS(TM), we all thought wow! The crowds are going to be sensational and it's going to be a lot of fun. Formula 1 is a sport that many of the guys like to watch, so being able to be part of this is something to get genuinely excited about." F1 ROCKS(TM) Singapore enjoys perfect brand synergy with the inaugural venue Singapore. Singapore, as a city of firsts, hosted the world's first Formula 1 night race last year and is still the host city of the only Formula 1 night race, making it one of the most exciting races in the season. The race is complemented by the 10-day Singapore GP Season, offering lifestyle and entertainment experiences including all-night parties, art exhibitions, great Asian cuisine and retail promotions.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

F1 Rocks and Parties in Singapore in Full Throttle

Just as F1 tickets has experienced a surge the past couple of days, plans of party loving, race crashers are also revved up.

F1 goers can expect the same related parties, food and drinks and many other acts as last year. But this year, there's bound to be more as F1 Rocks concert will be launched this year. And with performances by Beyonce, The Black Eyed Peas< Jacky Cheung, A-Mei and many others, this year's F1 is bound to be a blast!!!

 Party organisers are pouring millions of dollars into the various attractions to cash in on the huge crowd that Formula 1 - with its fast cars, hunky drivers and their hot-babe girlfriends - usually attracts.

Local race promoter Singapore GP has beefed up its entertainment budget from $1.2 million to $4 million this year, for example.

And the owners of St James Power Station will hold a four-day F1-themed festival that will cost about $200,000.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Race Fixing Controversy Could Force Renault Out of F1

Bernie Ecclestone warned on Tuesday that the allegations surrounding the crash of Piquet on last year's Singapore F1 could prompt Renault to walk away from F1.

"This is not the sort of thing we need at the moment," the 78-year-old Briton was quoted saying at the Times newspaper.

"I think it will p*** off Renault for a start. Them leaving the sport is a danger, obviously. I mean, I hope that it isn't like that, but it's the sort of thing that might happen."

Honda had quit Formula 1 last December due to the financial crisis and BMW are about to leave at the end of this season.

 The FIA gave no details about the incidents and did not say who had made the allegations.

However media reports originating in Brazil said the focus was on the sport's first night race staged in Singapore last September.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso won that race, his first in more than a year and from 15th place on the starting grid, after Brazilian team mate Nelson Piquet crashed and brought out the safety car.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Singapore GP expects a surge in ticket sales

Ticket sales has crossed 80% and F1 Singapore promoter Singapore GP are scrambling to add more seats.

The last two weeks have seen a sudden surge of demand for tickets that an extra 1,000 tickets will be added to the the previous inventory of 82,000 bringing the total number of tickets to 83,000.

The additional ticket were added to the Pit and Turn 3 grandstands.

'Increased sales momentum as the race dates approach is something we expected might happen, as other Formula One circuits traditionally experience the same buying pattern,' said executive director Michael Roche.

The recent spike in demand could be due to the fact that more F1 races are being televised now that the summer holidays in Europe are over. And thanks to the fact that the drivers' title race is open, interest has been revived.

By yesterday, 81 per cent of the Pit Grandstand, 83 per cent of the Bay Grandstand and 86 per cent of the Esplanade Waterfront Grandstands respectively had been sold. Sunday and Saturday single-day walkabout tickets are sold out. And three-day walkabout tickets are expected to be completely taken up by the middle of next week.

As for corporate hospitality, 83 per cent of capacity has been taken up. But the number of corporate suites at the seven locations around the Bay circuit has shrunk. There are 160 suites this year, down from 180 last year, although Singapore GP has introduced a new type of suite amid the more challenging economic conditions.

Besides the Club and Sky suites and the Formula One Paddock Club, there is also The Green Room. This new air-conditioned seating area has food and beverage service but caters to the individual customer and smaller corporate groups.

Tickets for the other types of corporate suite are typically sold in multiples of 10s and 50s. The Green Room's prices are also lower at $3,388 per person.

Formula One race fixing allegation

David Coulthard: Formula One race fixing allegation - I don't buy it

First we had conspiracy theories regarding the dramatically improved performances of the Force Indias, the Toyotas and the BMWs during Saturday qualifying, which produced an unusual-looking grid for Sunday's race.

Now we learn that the FIA, F1's governing body, is investigating claims that Renault allegedly tried to fix the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.



Well, call me naive but I'm not buying it. In the case of the weekend just gone, the unusual performances can be explained by virtue of the fact that these latest F1 cars, which are the result of the biggest rule changes in the sport in over a quarter of a century, had never before visited Spa, a circuit of unique characteristics. It's like Andy Murray going from grass to clay – you need time to adapt and time is the one thing F1 teams don't have any more with in-season testing banned.

Besides, how would you actually go about fixing a grid in such a manner?

Stickier tyres? Higher revving engines? Less/more ballast? Those scenarios would require the complicity of Bridgestone, mechanics/team personnel, the FIA. It would be impossible to keep such subterfuge under wraps. Not everyone would be comfortable working as part of a charade and a whistle-blower would quickly emerge.

The Renault allegations are far more credible, although once again I find them very hard to stand up. From a driver's perspective, it is certainly technically possible. It's not hard to crash a car and if you hit the barriers side-on, as Nelson Piquet did in Singapore, then it would be fairly low impact and not too dangerous for him.

Morally, though, it is off the scale. In order to keep the safety car out for any length of time Renault would have needed to choose a place on the track where the marshals could not get to quickly.

It would also have needed the complicity of a number of people – the only evidence I can envisage would be radio communications, which are openly available to the FIA and the team. Someone would surely have said something by now. As I say, I don't buy it.

In any case, it is a shame that such speculation is detracting from what was another incredible weekend. Jenson Button's 'yips', as I described them last week, continue and there is no question now that his performance levels have dropped. Rubens Barrichello is showing him what the Brawn car can do; Jenson just isn't delivering at the same level.

I don't know why that is. It may be that Rubens' vast experience in terms of feedback to engineers is coming to the fore now. Or it may be that the pressure of leading is subconsciously distracting Jenson from his best.

I found Ross Brawn's comments in the aftermath of the race instructive. He said Jenson needed to get used to dealing with the pressure. Now I was never in the position Jenson finds himself in so I can only surmise what it must feel like to see your championship lead tumbling with each passing race, but I can certainly understand how frustrating it must be to have your motivation or ability questioned by journalists.

But pressure is the name of the game and Jenson must rise to it. Let's not forget, his drives early in the season bore comparison with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. He has not lost that ability overnight and he can regain it in Italy.

Monza presents another unique set of problems. It is a very low downforce circuit, it will be hotter... God knows who will finish on top there, but I wouldn't rule out another race like the one we just saw with the likes of Force India and Ferrari on top.

Mind you, that would not necessarily be bad news for Jenson, who just needs to keep finishing in the points. With five races to go it could not be more fascinatingly poised.

By: David Coulthard
Source

" I wonder if this would still crop up as controversy if Piquet still happens to be Alonso's teammate. "

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

F1 race organisers should keep race fresh to sustain interest

SINGAPORE: The challenge for the organiser of the Singapore Grand Prix is to keep it fresh and interesting.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S Iswaran, said if race organisers can continue to add new elements to the event in the coming years, the road ahead for future Formula 1 races in Singapore will look good.

This year's F1 night race in Singapore has been affected by the poor economy, with slower ticket sales and hotel bookings.

But organisers are working hard to spark more interest in this year's event with the inaugural F1 Rocks concert and other attractions within the circuit park.

Mr Iswaran said: "As long as we keep it fresh and interesting, the fact that it is a night race in the city centre, I think the combination of factors should continue to sustain the interest for the race, from repeat visitors and also from new fans."

With less than a month to go, it is a race against time for the 1,000 race officials as they gear up for the September event. But preparations are on track to get everyone up to speed.

Mr Iswaran also had a closer look at how race officials recover a stalled vehicle or one involved in an accident during the race.

Gabriel Tan, clerk of course, Singapore GP, said: "Next weekend, about half of the race officials are going up to Pasir Gudang, the race circuit where we actually will have a simulation scenario for them and we will give them a chance to experience a race circuit with cars going around."

The training's vital as, unlike last year's race - when the Australians took charge as key officials - Singaporeans will helm this year's operation.

Dr Kelvin Chew, chief medical officer, Singapore GP, said: "Having that one year behind us actually gave us a lot better feel of how we are going to tackle this year."

Some key officials have also been deployed at overseas races, but working on the actual site will still make a difference.

And like last year, an actual safety simulation exercise will be conducted at the Singapore street circuit. Two sessions, on the Tuesday and Thursday of race week, will be held with FIA officials observing how the Singapore race officials work.

By Patwant Singh
Source

"So that explains the launch of F1 rocks concert. There's nothing like bringing in the hottest celebrities around the globe to stir things up a bit."

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Beyonce Knowles is set to rent a £5 million Singapore apartment.

The 'Crazy in Love' singer will be headlining the city's F1 Rocks concert next month and she and rapper husband Jay-Z want somewhere luxurious to stay.

The couple have been looking at plush penthouses in the city's Marina Bay area, and one pad which has impressed them has an incredible 360-degree view of the city and the sea.

A source said: "Beyonce and Jay-Z love Singapore and don't want to just stay at a hotel while they are there. Some of the apartments they've seen have been fantastic but their favourite is the one of the stunning views."

Beyonce will be joined at F1 Rocks by Black Eyed Peas and N.E.R.D.

The event - which will also feature performances from ZZ Top, Simple Minds, Chinese singer Jacky Cheung, Taiwanese hip-hop band Da Mouth and Taiwanese pop band Sodagreen - is to be the first of eight F1 Rocks concerts planned by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone to tie in with races across the season.

The event takes place on the days of September 24-26 at Fort Canning Park, in Singapore.

The Singapore Grand Prix is held on September 27.


Source


" Hmmmm.... mixing work and play. Great job she's got."

F1 launches Singapore race probe

Formula 1's governing body has launched an investigation into an unspecified previous race, reported to be last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

The FIA said only that it was investigating "alleged incidents at a previous F1 event".

News agencies have said the race is last year's Singapore race won by Renault's Fernando Alonso following a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet.

The incident triggered a safety car which put Alonso into position to win.

Piquet, who attributed the crash to a simple error, was sacked by Renault after the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

He has since been outspoken in his criticism of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

If the FIA discovers evidence of foul play, it would probably call a hearing of its world motorsport council to investigate the matter.

The FIA would not confirm that the event it was looking into was Singapore.

Alonso won that race when Piquet crashed two laps after the Spaniard had come in for a routine pit stop.

That meant that when race officials sent out the safety car to clear up the debris from Piquet's car, Alonso was alone among the front-runners in not having to stop for fuel and tyres.

BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator David Croft said: "New evidence, say the FIA, has come to light.

"I've never ever heard of a driver being asked to crash deliberately for a team.

"As for punishment, if they're found guilty - it's limitless."


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"Almost a year has passed and now, suddenly this. There's nothing like a controversy to spice things up a bit."

Asia's "largest race car" revs up some bread torque

Unlike last year's more delectable chocolate-powered outing which was actually cruise-worthy, this yeasty racer coasts on carb control and won't be going places. Visitors in Singapore can take a peek at "Asia's largest race car made from bread" at the Royal Plaza on Scotts lobby till September 27 when the Singapore F1 night race kicks off in high gear.

The constructor team, so to speak, comprised six chefs, two artists, two technicians, two culinary staff members and five volunteers from Metta Welfare Association who modded themselves a life-size Formula One car made up of 1,000 loaves of 22 different varieties.

For the score, these chalked up 15kg (33 pounds) of yeast, 14 liters of water, 2kg (4.4 pounds) of salt and around three gallons of varnish, costing S$15,000 and 549 hours to construct. If you can ignore how much bread this could have fed the malnourished nations, or what's to become of all that effort after the show is over, this F1 outing might set a new record of the culinary variant.

By: Juniper Foo
Source

" I wonder how Asia's largest race car tastes like."

F1 Racing Singapore