Revving up for thrills

SINGAPORE RECENTLY played host to the sixth edition of the SingTel Grand Prix, the only night race on the Formula One calendar, and to no one’s great surprise, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel German led all the way. 

The victory, Vettel’s third since the summer break, puts him 60 points of his nearest rival, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, who arrived in second position ahead of Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus.

Vettel, who started on pole, dominated the race from the first lap when he managed to take back the lead from Nico Rosberg who had edged in front before the first corner. From then on the 5.065-kilometre Marina Circuit was his and despite losing his impressive advantage during a safety car intervention, he quickly regained control to finish more than 30 seconds ahead of Alonso.

Superstar footballer David Beckham caused a buzz in the paddock area as he chatted with mechanics in the McClaren garage then got up close and cosy with F1 head honcho Bernie Ecclestone. Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was also in attendance, enjoying the race from a ringside seat.

As Vettel, Alonso and Raikkonen popped the champagne corks on the podium, colourful fireworks lit up the sky over Marina Bay. The night ended with a full-scale concert by Rihanna.

However, the Singapore Grand Prix has never just been about the racing and this year was no exception with a variety of events taking place all over town from September 13 through race day. 

Among the highlights was the |soft opening of Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris in Fort Canning Center. A pop-up exhibition on the theme ‘The Art of Collecting Masterpieces from the Pinacotheque de Paris”, it’s showcasing artworks by such world-class artists as Botticelli, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Monet, Renoir, Modigliani and Picasso until December 31.

Shopping paradise ShoptheMag boasted a range of funky fashion products by designer brands like Koonhor, Johnny Ramli and Khoon Hooi from Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia while indie flea market Public Garden teamed up with the race organisers to put on a large scale pop-up market with more than 120 local vendors at Triple One Somerset.

Popular sun-kissed playground Tanjong Beach Club threw a 1950s-style Miami White party, the first in the series of Bed Supperclub’s on-location bashes in Asia and the Pan Pacific Singapore played host to the pool party Bacchanalia Brunch Series GPSS Edition, which featured lots of terrific food and international DJs manning the decks.

The Ritz-Carton Millennia Singapore also saw some action, turning its Podium Lounge into a catwalk for a fashion show and charity auction.