S’pore Grand Prix set for blast from the past

SINGAPORE — Their pedigree is unmistakable, and even after close to half a century, they look every bit the fearsome beasts that once fought wheel-to-wheel for Formula 1 world championships.

Now, these historic three-litre cars — once driven by the likes of Nikki Lauda, James Hunt, Nelson Piquet and Jackie Stewart — are set to make their Asian debut when 20 of the best F1 single-seaters that raced between 1966 and 1985 line up for this year’s Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix from Sept 19 to 21.

They will be picked from among the ongoing Europe’s FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship and North America’s equivalent Masters HG.

Promoters Singapore GP revealed the new support race yesterday in addition to the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, which has been a regular programme of the night race since its debut in 2008.

The Masters Historic Formula One cars that will race around the Marina Bay street circuit will be picked from some of the most illustrious marques in F1 including Lotus, Brabham, Ferrari, Tyrrell, Williams, Arrows and Surtees.

Along with a third support race, the final list and drivers will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“The Masters are a great addition to our support track action,” said Singapore GP deputy chairman 
Colin Syn.

“We are delighted to select the best of the best historic Formula 1 cars to race under Singapore’s lights just like their modern counterparts at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.”

The Historic Formula One Championship made its debut in 1995 and the European series currently has eight rounds that include Silverstone, Catalunya and Spa.

It was renamed Masters Historic Formula One Championship in 2013 and although Singapore is not part of the championship, the series founder, Ron Maydon, believes it will be an exhilarating race down memory lane.

“It will be the first time that the motor racing fans in Singapore will see such classic cars race in action,” said Maydon.

“We are confident that they will enjoy the sights and sounds of a super-fast history lesson just as much as watching their current F1 heroes.”