Marina Bay Street Circuit

File:1 singapore f1 night race 2012 city skyline.jpg

File:Pit building 2014 Singapore.jpg.]]

File:Chicane Kerbs Singapore GP.jpg.]]

File:Singapore (SG), View from Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer -- 2019 -- 4720.jpg

On the day of confirmation of the Singapore Grand Prix in the 2008 Formula One season, a routemap was published.{{cite news|title=It's on! Formula One race is coming to Singapore in 2008|first=Julian|last=Lim|work=AsiaOne|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|url=http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20070609-13632.html|date=11 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923011740/http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20070609-13632.html|archive-date=23 September 2012 |access-date=20 January 2016}} The pit area of the circuit is located in an empty plot of land off Republic Boulevard and beside the Singapore Flyer. A temporary road leads from the pit area and under the Benjamin Sheares Bridge to Republic Boulevard and turns onto Raffles Boulevard. It then proceeds along Nicoll Highway, Stamford Road and Saint Andrew's Road around the Padang, past the City Hall.

The track then goes onto the Anderson Bridge, past the Fullerton Hotel and make a tight left turn to Esplanade Drive beside the Merlion Park. It joins Raffles Avenue, then returning to the pit area via a second temporary road around the Singapore Flyer.

The track was widely criticised by F1 drivers for being excessively bumpy, particularly on Raffles Boulevard between turns 5 and 7, resulting in a very unforgiving circuit, especially given the hot and humid conditions of the Singapore climate. 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton commented that it was twice as hard to negotiate as the more famous Monaco street circuit and unexpectedly physical – requiring double the amount of energy over a single lap as compared to the Monaco circuit.{{cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20080927-90384.html|title=Singapore F1 track too bumpy, drivers complain|work=AsiaOne|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=27 September 2008|access-date=25 September 2010}}

Several drivers, including Sébastien Bourdais and Fernando Alonso, expressed their concern about the high and harsh kerbs at the chicane at turn 10 of the street circuit. Ferrari's Felipe Massa compared the kerbs akin to "little tortoises that would wreck the car if you get something wrong".{{cite news|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/09/25/f1-drivers-largely-happy-with-the-singapore-track-apart-from-the-tortoises/|title=F1 drivers largely happy with the Singapore track, apart from the tortoises|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|first=Keith|last=Collantine|date=25 September 2008|access-date=25 September 2010}} The drivers were worried that hitting the bumps could cause suspension damage or even damage a tub. They also raised concerns that the bumps would pitch them into the wall on the outside of the corner. Whilst the FIA had been involved in the development of these kerbs, in response to the drivers' concerns FIA race director and safety delegate Charlie Whiting agreed to lower the kerbs at the turn 10 chicane ahead of Friday's free practice.{{cite news|url=http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1222420802/formula_one/F1headlines/Whiting-orders-kerb-solution/view.html|title=Whiting orders kerb solution|date=26 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927064717/http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1222420802/formula_one/F1headlines/Whiting-orders-kerb-solution/view.html|archive-date=27 September 2008|access-date=20 January 2016|work=UpdateF1|publisher=GMM}} The kerbs were further reduced in height for Saturday's qualifying round and Sunday's race. The chicane at Turn 10 was reprofiled for the 2010 race in an attempt to make it safer and the turns more gradual by moving the kerbs, however Lewis Hamilton said in an interview this modification made the chicane more dangerous by making the entry to the corner smaller, calling the complex "the worst corner in F1".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9032137.stm|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|first=Sarah|last=Holt|location=Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore|date=24 September 2010|access-date=25 September 2010|title=Lewis Hamilton criticises Singapore chicane revisions}} In 2013, ahead of the race, the chicane was removed and replaced with a left turn, resulting in faster lap times.{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/9/14975.html|title=Track modifications to lower lap times in Singapore|work=formula1.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911001818/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/9/14975.html|archive-date=11 September 2014|access-date=20 January 2016}}

The entry of the pit lane, which begins at the penultimate corner of the 23-turn layout, was deemed to be "difficult and incredibly dangerous" by several drivers due to the fast nature of the corners where they were situated.{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/169571-0/singapore_pit-lane_is_incredibly_dangerous.html|title=Singapore pit-lane is 'incredibly dangerous'|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=27 September 2008|access-date=25 September 2010}} The problem was deemed to be primarily due to the speed differential of those entering the pits and those continuing on another lap and their sharing of the same race line. The controversial pit entry at Singapore was then modified ahead of Saturday's qualifying round by extending the pit entry line away from the pits. This change compelled drivers to commit to the pit entry earlier, providing additional warning to those following behind.{{cite news|url=http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1222523323/formula_one/F1headlines/Singapore-pit-entry-altered/view.html|title=Singapore pit entry altered|date=27 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929081850/http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1222523323/formula_one/F1headlines/Singapore-pit-entry-altered/view.html|archive-date=29 September 2008|access-date=20 January 2016|work=UpdateF1|publisher=GMM}}

In March 2009, three of the circuit's corners were given names after a competition amongst local F1 fans to submit ideas. Turn 1 was named Sheares after Benjamin Henry Sheares, the second president of Singapore; Turn 7 was named Memorial due to its proximity to a Second World War civilian memorial; and Turn 10 was named Singapore Sling.{{cite news|title=New corner names for Singapore Grand Prix circuit |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Administration |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/3/9034.html |date=20 March 2009 |access-date=20 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322083656/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/3/9034.html |archive-date=22 March 2009 }} The Singapore Sling was changed for the 2013 Grand Prix and Turn 10 is now a flowing left-hander. Drivers have commented that without the Singapore Sling chicane, the track is much more manageable.

In January 2010, it was reported that race organisers were considering changes to the circuit for the {{f1|2011}} season.{{cite news|title=Singapore considering layout changes|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81107|first=Simon|last=Strang|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=28 January 2010|access-date=29 January 2010}} No major changes were made to the layout for the 2011 race, however Singapore Tourism Board has sought submissions on opportunities to reinvigorate the layout or completely relocate it in the future.

For the 2013 season, the FIA approved of track configuration changes. The Turn 10 chicane, known as 'Singapore Sling', was removed and replaced with a single-apex left-hand bend. The corner entry speed increased by about {{Convert|40|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. As a safety measure to compensate for the higher speeds, an extra layer of TecPro barriers were added to the end of the Turn 10 run-off.

In 2015, the FIA approved minor changes to the layout of the Marina Bay Street Circuit ahead of the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix. The modifications run from Turn 11 to Turn 13; drivers will still turn right at Turn 11 but it will now kink left slightly on entry, with the track shifting to the left-hand side of Fullerton Road. This will change the profile of Turn 12, as drivers will now use the other side of the Anderson Bridge, while the hairpin at Turn 13 has been widened by a metre in order to increase overtaking opportunities.{{cite web|title=Tweaks made to Singapore track layout|url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/headlines/2015/7/tweaks-made-to-singapore-track-layout.html|work=Formula1.com|publisher=Formula One Administration|date=29 July 2015|access-date=29 July 2015}}

Other changes were made before the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix, the track was reprofiled at turns 16 and 17, taking it from a length of {{Convert|5.065|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the current {{Convert|5.063|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

The circuit was expected to receive another re-profile from the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix. In August 2020, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced plans to redevelop the Marina Bay Floating Platform into a community space centred on the city-state's policy of National Service.{{Cite web |title=First look at NS Square, the 'red dot' of downtown Singapore |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ndp-2020-national-day-ns-square-marina-bay-float-614356 |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=CNA |language=en}} The floating platform has housed the Turn 16–19 series of corners since the circuit's inception in 2008 and is expected to make way for the construction of NS Square in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Auto |first=Hermes |date=2020-07-24 |title=Formula One: Singapore GP open to circuit revamp with NS Square project due to start in 2022 {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/formula-one/formula-one-singapore-gp-open-to-circuit-revamp-with-ns-square-project-due-to |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}} This re-profiling was not made in 2022, but it will be made before the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, as the official ticket sale page showed the new circuit layout map.{{Cite web |title=Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 Tickets |url=https://singaporegp.sg/en/tickets/general-tickets |access-date=13 October 2022}} This change will be made temporarily for the 2023 season and will decrease the circuit length to {{cvt|4.928|km|mi|abbr=on}}. It is expected that the temporary layout change will drop F1 lap times by about 20 seconds.{{Cite web |title=Singapore track changes to drop F1 lap time by up to 20 seconds |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/singapore-track-changes-2023-lap-time-drop/10386291/ |access-date=19 October 2022}}

In June 2022 started the works to upgrade most of the circuit's asphalt, in view to ease the porpoising effect on the 2022 cars.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/top-stories/f1-bumpy-baku-gives-drivers-a-headache-as-porpoising-resurfaces/articleshow/92147109.cms | title=F1: Bumpy Baku gives drivers a headache as 'porpoising' resurfaces | Racing News - Times of India | website=The Times of India | date=11 June 2022 }}

For the purpose of the night race, approximately 1600 custom-made floodlights are spread around the {{Convert|5.067|km|mi|abbr=on|adj=on}} Marina Bay circuit. The lights, four times brighter than at a regular sports stadium, are specially designed to minimize glare and surface reflection, and to meet F1's TV broadcasting standards.{{cite web|url=https://f1destinations.com/race-facts-singapore-f1-grand-prix/|title=Race Facts – Singapore Grand Prix|work=F1Destinations.com|date=2 December 2019|access-date=9 December 2019}}

File:Marina Bay Street Circuit, May 8, 2018 SkySat (cropped).jpg

Marina Bay Street Circuit starts with a specially made pit straight with the first DRS zone. The pit straight approaching just below the Benjamin Sheares Bridge at a speed of {{convert|308|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} before braking into left-hand turn one to {{convert|146|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The opening sequence of turns 1, 2, and 3 are shaped like an 'S', a curve to the right for turn 2, while turn 3 is to the left at just {{convert|90|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Now, the car is on Republic Boulevard (along turn 4) speeding up to {{convert|260|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, then heading to right-hand turn 5, braking to {{convert|145|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. On Raffles Boulevard (where the second DRS zone is located), flat-out for turn 6, to the fastest part of the circuit at speeds of up to {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Cars enter the apex at turn 7 under heavy braking, slowing from {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} to {{convert|127|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.

Turn the car slightly to the right at the start of Nicoll Highway, picking up the throttle to {{convert|220|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, braking to the right for turn 8 to {{convert|81|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, onto Stamford Road at {{convert|191|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, before braking to {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} entering turn 9. The braking leads to the St. Andrews Road (in front of the Padang), reaching speeds of {{convert|276|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Turn 10 is a left-hand turn at {{convert|150|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Turns 11, 12, and 13 were reprofiled before the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix. Drivers still turn right at turn 11, but it will now kink left slightly on entry, with the track shifting to the left-hand side of Fullerton Road. This will change the profile of turn 12, as drivers will now use the other side of the Anderson Bridge at {{convert|190|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, while the hairpin at turn 13 (in front of Fullerton Hotel) has been widened by a metre in order to increase overtaking opportunities with braking to {{convert|67|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.

The car is now at Esplanade Bridge (where the third DRS zone is located) crossing the Singapore river, building up speed to {{convert|290|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Turn 14 almost meets turn eight, diverting to the right at {{convert|90|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} onto the Raffles Avenue (in front of Esplanade). Following a reprofiling before the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, a long straight on Raffles Avenue (where the fourth DRS zone is located) replaces turns 16–19, bypassing the technical Float section. Previously the turn 20, turn 16 is now a massive braking point, turning hard right before slinging back left for turn 17. How fast the cars approach turn 18 is determined by the exit of turn 17, therefore most of the drivers exit turn 17 very close to the wall to gain a speed advantage. Running down towards turn 18 passes the {{cvt|165|m|ft}} tall Singapore Flyer, where turns 18 and 19 are taken flat-out at about {{convert|180|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} before picking up the throttle again towards the pit straight across the finish line.

{{Gallery

| title = Marina Bay Street Circuit layout history

| align = center

| footer =

| style = text-align:center;

| mode = packed

| File:Singapore street circuit 2008.svg

| Original circuit (2008–2012)

| File:Singapore street circuit v3.svg

| Revised circuit with the Singapore Sling chicane at turn 10 removed (2013–2014)

| File:Singapore Street Circuit 2015.svg

| Revised circuit with re-profiled turns 11–13 (2015–2017)

| File:Marina bay circuit.svg

| Revised circuit with re-profiled turns 16–17 (2018–2019, 2022)

| File:Marina Bay circuit 2023.svg

| Revised circuit with new straight between turns 15–16 (2023–present)

}}

; Current

• October: Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, F1 Academy

; Former

• Aston Martin Asia Cup (2008–2009)
• Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific (2017–2019)
• GP2 Series (2012–2013)
• JK Racing Asia Series (2008–2011)
• TCR International Series (2015–2016)
• Thailand Super Series (2022–2023)
• W Series (2022)

Official lap records are set in a race, although qualifying laps are typically faster. The fastest qualifying lap was 1:29.525, set by Lando Norris in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. As of September 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Marina Bay Street Circuit are listed as:

File:Singapore grand prix fullerton test.JPG|Esplanade stretch of the circuit, one week before the 2008 race

File:Singapore grand prix day z.JPG|Bird's eye view of the circuit, two days before the 2008 race

File:1 - F1 Track Turn 22.JPG|Turn 22 in 2008

File:Penultimate turn Marina Bay Circuit.jpg|The penultimate turn in 2008

File:The Stamford Grandstand.JPG|The Stamford Grandstand between Turns 7 and 8 in 2009

File:1 - F1 Stand Area 2.JPG|The Audience Stand in 2008

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Marina Bay Street Circuit}}

• [http://www.racingcircuits.info/asia/singapore/marina-bay,-singapore.html Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/7249397.stm BBC's circuit guide]
• [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1%C2%B017%E2%80%B222%E2%80%B3N,+103%C2%B051%E2%80%B232%E2%80%B3E&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=1.290634,103.858094&spn=0.010083,0.014462&z=16 Google Maps hybrid view of the circuit]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080925132345/http://www.redbullracing.com/4th-Sector/Webber-Singapore/ Circuit simulation preview with commentary by Mark Webber]
• [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zAwYScNYWOgU.kH5VtuiZLUz4 Marina Bay Street Circuit on Google Maps (Current Formula 1 Tracks)]

{{Formula One circuits}}

{{W Series circuits}}

{{GP2 Series circuits}}

{{TCR International Series circuits}}

{{TCR Asia Series circuits}}

Category:Motorsport venues in Singapore

Category:Formula One circuits

Category:Downtown Core (Singapore)

Category:Kallang

Category:Marina Bay, Singapore

Category:Marina Centre

Category:Singapore Grand Prix

Category:2008 establishments in Singapore

Category:Sports venues completed in 2008