Singapore Grand Prix ⋅ Where to Watch
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The Singapore Grand Prix is such a unique event I don’t imagine anyone going away from it disappointed. It does suffer the same problems for spectators as many other street circuits though – the many buildings get in the way of a good view and debris fencing is everywhere. While wire mesh fences never improved anyone’s Grand Prix photos, happily they are easily forgotten while watching at the track.
Popular grandstands sell out fast. Buy Singapore GP tickets from one of these official retailers.
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Singapore Grand Prix Grandstands
Bay Grandstand
Just marginally more expensive than Zone 4 walkabout tickets, the Bay stand might seem good value for a grandstand. So how good is it and is it worth the extra cost?
Sadly, views from the grandstand are very limited and this is not the most action-packed stretch of track. It’s not every year a misguided rookie deliberately wrecks his car in front of this stand. Cars sprint along the short straight, past the stand and disappear before you can say ‘auto-focus’.
It’s not all bad news though. Fans with Bay Grandstand tickets are free to explore Zone 4, and benefit from all the extra vantage points that that offers. Once your feet get tired and sweaty you always have a reserved seat to return to.
What’s more, the backdrop of Marina Bay is both stunning and unmistakably Singapore. The view across the bay and the skyline of the CBD sure beats some generic mish-mash of catch-fencing and advertising hoardings for setting. And when the race is over you’ll be in a prime position to watch the post-race fireworks.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 3
Pit Grandstand
The best seats to be in if you want to be in the heart of the action. The Pit Grandstand overlooks the main straight in Singapore as well as (no free tickets for guessing this) the pits.
Views of the racing might be lacking – it is a straight after all – but you’ll never get tired of the people watching in the pitlane as well as the pre and post-race shenanigans. At the end of the race, follow the throng of people onto the track for the track invasion and applaud the winners from under the podium.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 1Grandstands Turn 1 and Turn 2
The anticipation of the start and the often chaotic first lap of the race is nowhere more keenly felt than at these grandstands at turns 1 and 2 of the Singapore street circuit.
The start was the scene of one of the most memorable moments of the 2017 season when Sebastian Vettel took out his Ferrari teammate, Max Verstappen and himself in an unintentional kamikaze attack. If it’s action you seek, look no further.
Tickets for Grandstands T1 and T2 are very similarly priced and have slight variations of views of the same section of the track. Which one is better is largely down to individual tastes.
For Turn 1 Grandstand spectators, cars enter from the left, giving you a brief side-on view; the rest is mostly the rear of the cars through the turns. This grandstand enjoys a better view of the first few corners as the cars turn sharply into turn 1 and snake their way through turns 2 and 3 before disappearing.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 1Seated in T2 Grandstand you’ll see more of the start/finish straight, pit action and a more preferable head-on view of the cars approaching turn 1, but a less clear view through turns 2 and 3.
MID BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS BEST IN PRICE RANGE ZONE 1Zone 4 Grandstands: Stamford, Connaught, Padang and Empress
There are several lower-priced grandstands located in Zone 4: Stamford, Connaught, Padang and Empress. Unfortunately, the positioning of the stands tends to be too far from the turns to fully appreciate the racing, and watching F1 cars driving a straight line can get boring surprisingly quickly.
There is one clear winner that is a solid choice. But for the others a walkabout ticket is probably preferable, at least giving you the chance to move around and find a new exciting view from which to appreciate the show.
Of course, grandstand ticket holders in this zone are free to do so as well and for many fans, having a guaranteed seat, whether you choose to use it all the time or not is a very desirable thing in Singapore’s extreme heat and humidity.
Stamford Grandstand
The Stamford Grandstand is positioned at the exit to turn 7, as the cars come of the fast Raffles Boulevard into a series of 90-degree turns.
The view is a little underwhelming and it’s certainly not a place you want to be sat for three days. If you’re looking for weekend tickets this is one to avoid.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 4Connaught Grandstand
Connaught lies near the end of the Esplanade Drive at one of the highest speed parts of the track before braking sharply into the tight turn 14. This is one of the best grandstands at the circuit to see the immense speed and equally impressive braking ability of a Formula 1 car.
Most seats are a little too distant from the corner and although you might see drivers going wheel to wheel here, overtaking is unlikely. Certainly not a bad grandstand but there are better views to be had.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 4Padang Grandstand
The backdrop of the colonial-style National Gallery is an impressive sight and there are a number of giant screens to keep fans in the Padang Grandstand informed on the action. The track view to the left of the stand in the braking zone of turn 10 is better. This is a section of track that showcases the cars’ speed and braking but it’s certainly not a common overtaking spot.
One extra benefit is the Padang grandstands’ proximity to the grassy area that hosts the post-racing entertainment. If you’re not that impressed with your views of the track you should be able to at least make up for that at the concert.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 4Empress Grandstand
Rounding turn 11, cars breeze past the Empress Grandstand before flicking left around turn 12 and onto the steel-arched Anderson Bridge. It’s a medium-speed section of the track and one where you get to see cars cornering, which is really what it’s all about.
This is the best Zone 4 grandstand by some margin and if it came down to track views alone would be the best low-priced grandstand in Singapore, period.
LOW BUDGET TV SCREEN COVERED RESERVED SEATS ZONE 4Submit your Grand Prix pics here
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General Admission – the Walkabout Tickets
Singapore’s general admission areas suffer the same issues as many other street circuits – you’ll be close to the track but with a very narrow field of view, usually comprising just one corner. Problems following the race are exasperated by the lack of giant screens.
Though many of the best views are to be had through jostling for position at the fence, there are a number of small viewing platforms with bleacher-style seats. Bring a cushion if comfort is a concern.
Zone 4 Walkabout
There is a small general admission area beside the Esplanade Waterfront grandstand which has a giant screen and English commentary over loudspeaker and is a good place to keep up with the race. It’s also quite a fun place to watch the drivers throw their cars into the chicane before stepping on the loud peddle again to blast past the Bay Grandstand. Unfortunately, it is mostly the side and rear of the cars that you see.
The area between the Connaught and Padang stands where the two corners nearly meet, offers probably the best view in general admission with cars heading straight for you before quickly turning right. Overtaking here is a possibility too, though a slim one.
Premier Walkabout
It’s true these tickets aren’t cheap for general admission tickets but they still come in at less than just about any grandstand ticket and if you plan to attend all 3 days at Singapore they are some of the best tickets to have.
They allow access to all 4 zones and a great many more viewing areas than the Zone 4 ticket allows. This includes some of the best general admission views at turns 4 and 5 and towards the end of the lap in the interior of the track near the pitlane entry.
Single-day racegoers might find they don’t have time to realize the full value of these tickets and a Zone 4 pass will suffice, but for anyone staying longer and wanting an alternative to a grandstand I couldn’t recommend this highly enough.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 30 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
