Future of Singapore GP in doubt after F1 seeks new street races in Asia

SHANGHAI – The unique selling point that Singapore F1 Grand Prix has been enjoying since 2008 may soon be history.

This comes after Formula One is looking to stage two more street races in Asia as part of a drive to win new fans, said one of the sport’s most senior officials on Tuesday (Aug 22).

Over the past nine editions, Singapore’s night street circuit at the Marina Bay – the one and only of its kind in the F1 race calendar – has proved particularly popular with drivers and fans alike. However, the future of the race is up in the air after talks to extend Singapore’s contract – which expires after September’s race – remain deadlocked.

The Singapore Grand Prix will now face even stiffer competition after F1’s managing director of commercial operations, Sean Bratches, said fans can expect to see new street races in more Asian cities in future.

“I’m spending a lot of time reaching out proactively to cities ... and think ultimately we will realise more street races than we have seen historically,” he said.

“We will go to iconic cities where there are large fan bases, particularly new fan bases that we can activate.”

He added: “From a fan standpoint the backdrops of these city centres ... can really make compelling television and pictures.”

Asked if that meant more street circuits in Asia, he said: “Yes, two.”

In the last five years, the Indian and Korean grands prix have both fallen off the race calendar, while Malaysia has announced that this year’s race - in October - will be the last due to rising costs and low returns.

Bratches said that, in terms of sheer fan numbers, Asia is Formula One’s biggest market and the company is in negotiations for races in “entirely new places”.

“We are very focused on bringing additional GPs to the continent here. We’re in talks with a couple of cities to that end,” he said, declining to give further details. AFP