From being indifferent to car racing to installing an app to receive live updates on Formula 1 — my transformation after watching Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2019 last month, was a drastic one.

With the world’s most-watched annual sporting event approaching, every corner of the island nation had got a new look with a completely different vibe. Whether you are a motorhead, a sports enthusiast, a music lover or a partygoer, Singapore Grand Prix 2019 had something for everyone because the action went far beyond the circuit, with a slew of after-parties, concerts, pop-up events and race-themed festivities that kept the adrenaline pumping.

Pit lane experience

I had reached the venue two hours prior to the pit walk. As I entered after making my way through the long queue, it seemed like a carnival. Near the entrance were numerous vintage cars, all displayed one after the other. The tents selling official merchandise attracted F1 enthusiasts while music freaks gathered near the stage. I sat at one of the beer stalls, in the middle of the large F&B area, to catch a glimpse of the entire arena. From airbrush tattoo parlours and virtual racing stalls to some electrifying performances by DJ Ollie’des, Coming True Fire Group and Bloco Singapura, the huge arena was bubbling with activities.

I headed for the track around 9.30pm. As I walked through the pit lane, I fell in love with the 5.5km Marina Bay Street Circuit set against a spectacular Singapore skyline.

Our pit walk lasted an hour and the more I walked, the more curious I got about the pit stop, the garage and the numerous lights. Singapore Grand Prix, which started in 2008, was not only the first race held at night in F1 history, but also the first F1 street race in Asia. Some 1,600 lights illuminate Marina Bay Street Circuit and what fascinated me was the importance of the five lights above the start line. Drivers closely watch these five lights because once they go off, vroom!

Also, the Marina Bay Street Circuit pit lane is one of the longest in the season. Speed limit in the pit lane? 60km/hr unlike the normal 80 km/hr because of which one tends to perform the least number of pit stops.

The pit stop was intriguing too. As I walked across the pit stop, I could literally feel the tension and excitement at each garage. The teams had their pit crews, some busy with tyre-change drills while others drilled away to glory.

A different high

We took a jetty to STB’s F1 Singapore Suite to watch the Formula 1 practice session from the grandstand. A killer view with VIP access, sinful food and premium alcohol, it was the perfect setting to sit back and watch cars zoom past. After watching a few rounds I made my way to the Singapore Sky Terrace that gave an even more spectacular view of the action at Marina Bay Street Circuit — Main Straight and Turns 1 and 2. It was a different high watching these supercars whizz by.

The Singapore Suite highlighted local suppliers and designers. What caught my attention was a perfume that was being sold — Singapore Memories, which has an Indian connection. Famous Singapore socialite, the late Christina Lee and her husband — the late Dadi Balsara, an Indian businessman — launched a perfume called Singapore Girl in the ’60s. Since the flight attendants of Singapore Airlines are also called Singapore Girl, the perfume was renamed Singapore Memories. What was fascinating is that the couple stayed in Taj Mansingh Hotel, Delhi for 36 years in room 901. I could not resist the temptation of buying a bottle of Singapore Memories. A photo booth with props was also quite interesting, where one could click a holographic picture and take it home.

Cheering for Vettel

For the Singapore Grand Prix finals, we were seated at the Padang Grandstand across the iconic City Hall and Old Supreme Court. By then I had become a (Sebastian) Vettel fan, so before stepping in I picked up a Vettel cap at one of the official F1 stores. The crowd was divided between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel and as the cars zoomed past at about 240km/hr, heading towards the Singapore Sling (Turn 10), the crowd shouted, cheered, clapped and went click-click to capture the moments.

Hamilton was racing second with Charles Leclerc leading and Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen immediately behind. My heart raced as their cars with high-pitched engines went by, tires screeching. A relatively early pit stop by Vettel helped him overtake and clinch the first position. Leclerc came second and Verstappen secured third position, leaving the fourth place for Hamilton.

The image that remains with me is of Vettel crossing the Singapore Grand Prix line and the night sky lit up by fireworks.

Street party at Kampong Glam Malancha Dasgupta & Singapore Grand Prix

F1 entertainment

The excitement of Singapore Grand Prix was not limited to the circuit. The concerts and after-parties were to die for. Big names in the world of music such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Swedish House Mafia, Hans Zimmer, Muse, Fatboy Slim, Toots and the Maytals, Larkin Poe as well as Indian-American singer-rapper Raja Kumari took the stage at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2019.

Being a foodie, I couldn’t ignore the presence of British chef Heston Blumenthal in the gastronomical line-up.

There was no time to breathe as the mantra for the three days was to eat, drink, party... repeat! I heard Singapore houses 12 of the best bars in the world but after attending F1 after-parties, I can safely say the country is definitely the mecca of nightlife.

On the first night we were at the Precinct Party held at Clarke Quay, the heart of Singapore’s nightlife. Apart from live acts that kept us on our feet, our heart raced at the race-themed outdoor arcade.

Not everyday do you get to party with F1 drivers! Podium Lounge, one of the moving F1 lounges, was the place for us to party till the small hours. It was located at the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, and we could not help but let our hair down as Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice, a member of the popular girl band Spice Girls, pumped up the atmosphere on the first day. While the second day saw The Cuban Brothers, the third day had my favourite Jacob Anderson, aka Grey Worm from Game of Thrones. Until then I did not know he was a musician who uses the alias Raleigh Ritchie.

Another happening place was CE LA VI, the rooftop bar of Marina Bay Sands. The 57th floor had too much to offer — from spotting Jamie Dornan, aka Christian Grey of Fifty Shades of Grey, to the magnificent skyline of Singapore’s business hub to a variety of cocktails.

A must-place to party on F1 nights is the Kampong Glam, located on the Singapore River. The lanes here are as narrow as the alleys of north Calcutta. They have a perfect blend of history, culture and the street-party scene. The walls here have some striking art and all the lanes are full of life, with people dancing to live music that’s played at various corners. From electronic music to drums and guitars, people played a variety of instruments for us to match steps to.

Off-track action

During the day we were up for some virtual racing and go-karting. After a gripping live virtual racing competition among eight qualifiers from Asia Pacific, Josh Purwien from Australia drove to victory at Race to Singapore: McLaren Shadow Asia Pacific Qualifier at Marquee Singapore. Josh will be heading to the UK for the McLaren Shadow Project Grand Finals in December.

The crowd cheered as Lando Norris, the British racing driver, who finished seventh in his maiden Singapore Grand Prix, took the stage to compete against seven aspiring e-sports racers, aged 10 to 14 years.

The speed date would have remained incomplete without some racing. I surprised myself by coming second in go-karting at the Grange Road open-air car park. For the first time I could feel my pulse as I took steep turns while collecting speedy memories.