Singapore

Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix

The first night race of Formula 1 was held from 26th to 28th September 2008 on the Marina Bay Street Circuit in downtown Singapore. This first night race was won by Fernando Alonso for the Renault F1 Team. The night race is held at 8pm (Singapore Time - GMT+8) to suit European viewers.

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is 5.067 km and Formula 1 cars run for 61 laps. Being a night race, the entire street circuit is lighted by 1,600 projecter lights, suspended 10 meters above the track along the circuit. This lighting system generates a total of 3,000 lux.

The first night race in 2008 had a motorsport controversy where Nelson Piquet, Jr of the Renault F1 Team was ordered to crash his car. The consequences of his crash led to the win by Fernando Alonso, his team mate who was the only driver that had already pitted for fuel. The FIA World Motor Sport Council's investigation led to a two year suspended disqualification for the Renault team, and a five year ban from motorsports for the team's managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, but the ruling was overturned by the French courts after some legal tussling.