If you’ve been wanting to tick the Grand Prix off your Singapore bucket list, this is the year to make it happen – and do it with the kids! We’re already revving up for one of the year’s most exciting events: the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. From 16 to 18 September, Circuit Park spanning Marina Bay comes alive: covering an area of approximately 80 football fields, the racing spans parkland and cityscapes, showing off the city in all its glittering glory. This is an iconic Singapore experience, so don’t miss out!
Kids into cars will particularly love this weekend, with racing heroes leading the charge: and we’re ridiculously excited that one of our faves Kylie Minogue will be performing, joined by QUEEN + Adam Lambert, Bastille and KC and the Sunshine band! Even for families who aren’t into motorsports, it’s hard to resist getting swept up in the excitement of the weekend: we’re talking street closures, food trucks and a fantastic festival atmosphere, not to mention the thrill of watching a night-time race!
Here’s how to enjoy the Grand Prix with the family:
Need-to-knows:
* Families have a great time at F1 Circuit Park and all children are welcome, but keep in mind that there’s plenty of walking involved, plus crowds – and noise. Collapsible baby buggies can be brought into Circuit Park, but not into the grandstand area. So if you do want to bring little ones, know that you’ll need to take plenty of breaks – or be prepared to do lots of piggy backs.
* Children will need a ticket for entry, and kids under age seven will need a parent or guardian to sign an indemnity form at the gates. All children under 12 must be supervised by a ticket-holding adult.
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR FAMILIES FROM A F1 VETERAN
Our writer Tracy Tristram has made it a tradition to take her children to the F1 each year – and she’s learned a thing or two about mastering the Grand Prix with kids…
Earphones: F1 is LOUD. Deafeningly so! That noise is pretty impressive, but don’t be fooled by the sound levels you may hear on the TV. The real thing is much louder! Ear protection, therefore, is not only important for adults, but essential for the smaller ears you take along. Foam earplugs come with the F1 Survival Kit, (on sale at booths throughout Circuit Park) which also contains a ponchos in adult size, and proceeds go to charity. These earplugs are fine for adults and older children, but really, noise-cancelling headphones are the best bet.
Binoculars: As well as your headphones/earplugs, do make sure you bring along a small set of binoculars. The cars are super fast (it would be a bit boring if they were Driving Miss Daisy speeds) and go past in a flash. So there is tons going on on the track and your child will love finding interesting things to look at as well as the cars.
Ticket sharing: You know your child best. Only you know whether F1 is going to be something that your little one loves or loathes. The event is over three days (Friday is practice, Saturday qualifying and Sunday is the main race) and so your child needs to be old enough to enjoy the action. Formula 1 tickets are not cheap, so before you spend the money on tickets for the whole family take your kids on a ‘trial run’. A good way to do this is to get tickets for Friday’s practice from someone who will not be using theirs. Tickets are sold as a set for all three days and many times people can’t take off work on Friday – if you can, find someone who will not be using theirs.
Boredom busters: There are gaps between the cars whizzing past so be sure to pack some boredom busters for the kids to enjoy in between racing. Have a look at our roundup of our favourite apps for young kids (make sure the phone or iPad is fully charged!). Also bring some sketch paper for your little one to capture some F1 fun in their own artistic way.
Stay hydrated: Make sure you and your child drink plenty of water; being outside for hours in our gorgeously warm but insanely humid weather can be dehydrating.
Comfortable shoes and clothes: The car park will likely be far away from the race track, so wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. I wore my gorgeous wedges to a race once and they got ruined when the heavens opened and soaked my wedges into oblivion. Also, do not wear white! For the same reason… the rain is not forgiving on a white dress and unless you want all of Singapore to see your undies then best to wear a dark colour! My lesson was learnt the hard way! Make sure your child is not wearing shoes that rub and cause event-ending blisters!
Bring a radio: Or install a radio app on your phone. When you get to the race they will let you know what station to tune in to so that you can hear the announcers. The commentary will help your kids have a better idea of what is going on and make it easier for them to spot their favourite drivers as they flash past.
Rain: Most years it has stayed dry. Last year the rain was torrential (which didn’t stop anyone having fun, much less Robbie Williams – who came out into the rain with us!). Make sure you have rain macs and ponchos with you. Umbrellas won’t be any use unless you want to a) poke someone’s eye out or b) get shouted at by the people behind you trying to see the race!
Sun: On the other hand, if it’s a bright, sunny day, remember to wear sunscreen if you head to Circuit Park from the afternoon. Bring hats (or pick up an F1 cap) and stay hydrated as the heat can be intense.
Meeting point: If your child is old enough, then do make sure you agree a point you can meet at if you get separated. When you get to the event, find somewhere together to pinpoint as your designated ‘lost and found’.
The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the race!
TICKETING:
Tickets to F1 get snapped up in a flash, and some types provide more access across Circuit Park than others (access is divided into Zones 1 to 4), so make sure you know which areas you’re able to enter. Check the map of the circuit here.
Single-day walkabout tickets, which allow access to Zone 4 for one day, are ideal if you don’t need to go full throttle: you can purchase packages for all three days if you’re keen! Walkabout ticketholders can get as close as three metres away from the edge of the track, and watch the daily concerts held at the Padang during the race. Tickets for entry on Friday, 16 September cost $78, while tickets for Saturday 17 September and Sunday 18 September cost $168 and $198 respectively. Each person can buy a maximum of four tickets in this category. Want the full experience? Three-day walkabout tickets start from $498.
Tickets are available now at www.singaporegp.sg.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The track invasion
This post-race tradition, which takes place after the final race on Sunday, allows viewers in Zones 1 and 2 to onto the track and experience the bright lights and see drivers’ view – worth letting older kids stay up well past bed time for this one!
IN CONCERT:
Amazing international acts will perform on three stages – access is determined by which zone you have purchased tickets for, but the fab news is that our long-time pop fave Kylie Minogue will be making lots of fans happy on the Padang Stage – which all ticket holders can access! Psssst, dads: Queen + Adam Lambert will be rocking out on the Padang stage too, so start practising your rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. You know you want to. And we’re all going to embarrass our kids by disco dancing along to KC and the Sunshine band. Woohoo! Also joining the lineup are South-London indie rockers Bastille, and fun acapella group Pentatonix. Singapore’s greatest outdoor stage, the Padang, will be relocated this year to give audiences a more close-up experience.
Watch this space, because the Sunday night headline act is yet to be announced!
Padang Stage
Access to the Padang Stage is included with any Grand Prix Ticket including the Zone 4 Walkabout ticket.
- Kylie Minogue (Friday, 16 September): starting from $78 for a Zone 4 Walkabout ticket
- Queen + Adam Lambert (Saturday, 17 September): starting from $168 for a Zone 4 Walkabout ticket
- Bastille (Saturday, 17 September): starting from $168 for a Zone 4 Walkabout ticket
- HEADLINE ACT TO BE ANNOUNCED! (Sunday, 18 September): starting from $198 for a Zone 4 Walkabout ticket
Village Stage
Access to the performances at Village Stage requires a Zone 1 ticket, starting from $498 for three-day premier walkabout access.
- KC and the Sunshine Band (16 September)
- Pentatonix (Saturday, 17 September)
Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
Access to the performances at the Outdoor Theatre require a Zone 4 ticket
- KC and the Sunshine Band (Saturday, 17 September)
- Pentatonix (Sunday, 18 September)
