F1 Singapore

[flier]

Hot on the heels of South Africa's re-emergence on the Formula One radar, it is being reported that Singapore is set to join the annual calendar as early as 2008.

The newspaper Today quoted a 'source' who confirmed that the project, with government support, could be given the green light next week for an April or August date.

Bernie Ecclestone is expected to travel to the island city-state, located in South-East Asia, later this month.


"I can confirm that Singapore is on the calendar next year and it could either be the third race of the season, or towards the end of the season in August," the anonymous source said, explaining that he is bound by non-disclosure rules.

Today claims that the Singapore Grand Prix will be F1's first ever night race, on a city circuit.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

[Helen]

How Exciting!!!

Thanks for the news Flier. I wonder how much tickets will cost.

[alfredo]

Update 06/03/07

Bernie Ecclestone has denied reports that said a deal was already in place for a night-time Singapore street race to be added to the Grand Prix calendar in 2008.

"We haven't entered into any agreement with anyone at the moment," the 76-year-old, albeit confirming negotiations with parties, told Reuters.

Regarding the news of a specific deal, Ecclestone insisted: "I don't know anything about it."

Proceedings in the Asian island-state's parliament on Monday, however, told a different story, when the minister for Trade and Industry indicated that a Singapore Grand Prix would likely attract government financial support.


The minister said: "I would say that the prospects are good, but there are still issues, such as the commercial terms to be struck between a potential race promoter and the F1 group, the level of support required from the government, and the extent to which other stakeholders come forward with their support.

"(But) we are taking a very serious look at hosting a Formula One race."

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

[alfredo]

Latest Update from 13/03/07

Bernie Ecclestone has held talks in Singapore with a local tycoon who is bidding for the right to host a new F1 race in the country, the Straits Times reported Tuesday.

Ecclestone, who arrived late Monday from London for a stopover en route to the season opener in Melbourne this weekend, declined to say if Singapore would get to join the prestigious racing calendar. "I don't know, but that's what I'm here for," Ecclestone was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The publication said Ecclestone was believed to have had dinner on Monday with Singapore hotel magnate Ong Beng Seng, one of two local parties jockeying to host an F1 race in the city-state.

The Singapore government confirmed last week that it was taking a 'very serious look' at hosting the event.

Meanwhile, Ecclestone says he wants to expand the calendar to 20 Grand Prix in 2009.
There will be just 17 races this year, but Ecclestone has already lined up Abu Dhabi and South Korea for future events and it is no secret that he is negotiating with India, Russia and Singapore.

"Europe risks being left behind by Formula One's expansion to the Middle and Far East," Ecclestone reportedly said in Singapore on Tuesday. "Comparing the circuits like Turkey with Silverstone or Magny Cours is like comparing the developed world with the third world."

BMW motor sport director Mario Theissen indicated that he would conditionally welcome a 20-race calendar. "I can imagine that," the German told Sport-Informations-Dienst, "but only if we continue to further limit testing."

E.A.
Source AFP / GMM

[rush]

was pretty excited when i got an invitation to the F1 paddock race..but guess wat? it was live telecast at mercedes benz event hall!!

[flier]

That is oredi way better than me....i never got invited by renault....hehehe.....so what freebies did they give you?