When Formula 1® first arrived in Singapore almost 20 years ago, it brought something entirely new to the calendar. The sport’s first-ever night race did not take long to establish itself as a favourite among fans. 

Since its first edition, the Singapore Grand Prix has grown into an event that resembles an international music festival paired with night racing on the city streets. And the growth continues. Last year, the race weekend was attended by over 300,000 fans – one of the largest attendances in the event’s history. 

It is easy to see the enduring appeal of the Singapore Grand Prix. It’s an experience that extends beyond Marina Bay Street Circuit – and one that Dhananjay Rithvik knows particularly well. The Head of Race Strategy at Audi Revolut F1® Team has worked at every Singapore Grand Prix for almost a decade, with his first in 2017 marking his debut working in race strategy. But his connection to Singapore dates back much further:

In many ways, the arrival of Formula 1® in Singapore marked the start of a new era for the sport. With few street circuits aside from the iconic Monaco Grand Prix on the calendar at the time, the organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix set a precedent for what was possible with an in-city race. 

Other cities have since followed the same blueprint, while existing races on the calendar learnt valuable lessons from Singapore and have since adopted similar approaches to staging their race weekend. 

And it’s not just main meals that excel here. Sweet treats, caffeine and a cooling ice cream are also part of the must-have experience on race weekend in Singapore. Singapore’s preparation techniques and roasting processes give its coffee, or kopi, a distinctive character. The best specialities, in Dhananjay’s opinion, can be found at Apartment and Nylon. 

With Singapore’s humidity, what could be better than a cooling sweet treat on a warm afternoon in the city-state?  Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique ranks among Dhananjay’s favourites where you’ll be able to find Audi Revolut F1® Team limited edition flavours until 11 October. 

Many of Singapore’s restaurants are actively involved with the Formula 1 festivities, laying on special menus for the thousands of motorsport fans who descend on the city during race week. There are limitless options in Singapore, with the city’s traditional tastes sitting comfortably alongside a thriving modern food scene: 

“Much like the architecture, where you will find a century old colonial building sharing a wall with a modern, industrial-styled building with smooth concrete and stainless steel; right by the historic culinary staples is probably the best coffee, sourdough, pastries and brunch culture in Asia – right up there with San Francisco, Copenhagen and Melbourne.” 

Round out your Singapore experience with some of those world-class pastries. You can find European-style sourdough loaves at The Weirdoughs, enjoy weekly specials at the already mentioned Burnt Ends Bakery, or find other delicious treats at Baker's Bench Bakery. 

Singapore really comes alive when F1® is in town. There is so much for fans to see in and around Singapore in the lead-up to the race. And, as Dhananjay says, it’s “worth the additional exploration”. It couldn’t be easier to get from A to B either, with Singapore’s impressive metro system, “one of the best MRT systems in the world.” Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) takes over the city each October – and this year is no different. 

A key stop for Audi Revolut F1® Fans during race week is Funan Mall, where the team collaborates with adidas to decorate the mall for race week. Audi R26 show car will be on display along with the RS 5 from 10am to 10pm daily between 8-11 October. Furthermore, Nico and Gabi will be making a special appearance together at the mall on Wednesday 7 October. 

More Formula 1® action can be found at Suntec City, where kids of all ages can get hands-on experience with LEGO building and racing challenges, while the official F1® Exhibition makes its first stop in Asia at Gardens by the Bay, where it runs until 18 October. Entry to the in-depth tour of the sport’s history is 30% off for Singapore Grand Prix ticket holders who present their race ticket on-site. 

Dhananjay recommends Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay and Night Safari – the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park – as Singapore’s other must-see attractions. 

Wherever you stop off during your time in the city, one thing is for certain: Audi Revolut F1® Team’s debut in Singapore is not to be missed. From its street food and coffee culture to its skyline and nightlife, this is a race weekend that gives you every reason to keep exploring.