
Monday, 29 September 2008

Praise rings loudly for Singapore GP

Singapore revelled Monday in ringing praise from key figures in Formula One after successfully hosting the sport's first ever night race, with the bar now set for new Grand Prix.

Commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone went as far as calling it the new jewel in the sport's crown, while team owners said it would be a hard act to follow.

The island is famed for its efficiency and everything went to plan, even the city-state's notorious tropical downpours stayed away while Singaporeans embraced the glamorous and mega-rich spectacle.

Given they had only a year to prepare for a new street circuit under lights, Ecclestone said it was a remarkable achievement, setting the scene for more races to follow suit.

"We've never seen anything built so good, so quickly," he said after Renault's Fernando Alonso won the first-ever incident-packed race under lights.

"I'd be surprised if it hadn't been really top quality standards. Singapore should be very, very proud of what's happened.

"They were courageous enough to want to do it. There was a lot of criticism but I hope they're well rewarded for what they've done."

As well as installing 1,500 light projectors, Singapore built from scratch an impressive pit building housing the team garages, media centre and a Paddock Club, as well as a new road.

Red Bull racing team principal Christian Horner said it was a phenomenal weekend, and would be tough to match anywhere in the world.

"The guys here have done an absolutely unbelievable job. The effort that has gone into this circuit in the last 12 months is nothing short of phenomenal," he said.

"I think the spectacle of a night race, but not only have we got a night race, we have also got a great circuit, a really challenging circuit.

"They have just raised the bar considerably for a new circuit and the spectacle of racing at night in a big city such as Singapore is really exciting."

On top of everything running smoothly, part of the success was the race being run against the backdrop of the city at night, with its glittering skyscrapers and top landmarks shown off to a global audience.

Tourism is a key money spinner for Singapore along with manufacturing, and the government, which is working to market the city as the "Monaco of the East", is banking on the spectacle bringing more dollars to its shores.

It anchored the long weekend with dozens of lifestyle events, including the Singapore River Festival and the Singapore Motor Show as well as countless parties, which local newspapers said were a roaring success.

Mercedes Motorsport chief Norbert Haug said Ecclestone must take some credit for not only agreeing to hand Singapore a Grand Prix but insisting that it be run at night to take the sport in a new direction.

"I think it is a big, big step forward for Formula One," he said.

"The pictures, the atmosphere is really one of a kind and this gives a completely new experience to all the viewers worldwide but also to the spectators.

"That is very positive and the whole scenery I think is unreal. It is like in a movie and I think it is a big, big step. I think Bernie pushed very hard, so thanks to him."

The drivers were equally effusive, with their only real gripes about the track being too bumpy and the lighting in some corners. Little could be done about the bumps but tweaks were made to the lights to make it better.

"The track is quite impressive," said McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

"The most impressive thing for me is what an amazing job they have done here in Singapore to prepare the circuit. I cannot particularly fault it.

"I think they did a tremendous job, so I feel everyone deserves a real pat on the back because it is really impressive."

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