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F1 Singapore GP: Record attendance of 302,000 this year, eclipsing 2008 mark

Minister of Transport S Iswaran announces record attendance for the 2022 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, with 302,000 in attendance over three days. (PHOTO: Getty Images/Chia Han Keong)
Minister of Transport S Iswaran announces record attendance for the 2022 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, with 302,000 in attendance over three days. (PHOTO: Getty Images/Chia Han Keong)

SINGAPORE — The return of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix after a two-year pandemic hiatus has brought back the crowd in record droves.

Minister of Transport S. Iswaran announced on Sunday (2 October) that the 2022 race has set a new record for the highest attendance ever in its 13-year history, with 302,000 spectators over three days. This eclipses the 300,000 mark set by the inaugural race in 2008.

"It's a reflection of the keen interest in our race, its uniqueness and the various elements that we wrap around the race as well. It's a very good sign of how things are recovering in Singapore," he said during a media doorstop interview at the F1 Pit Building.

"You could say Singapore is back on track."

Iswaran revealed that of the record attendance mark, half of them came from overseas countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Netherlands and the United States.

Hotel occupancy has been very strong, with average room rates of $440 per night also exceeding the historical highs of past Singapore Grand Prix weekends.

Over 25 MICE events with over 90,000 delegates in attendance

Over the last two days, fans were treated to an entertainment line-up around the circuit park that included Marshmello, Westlife, Black Eyed Peas, Suede, and TLC.

Iswaran also highlighted that there are over 25 MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) events held in Singapore around the F1 week, with over 90,000 delegates in attendance.

"This means that there's a very strong indication of not just the interest in Formula One, but also the economic activity resuming in Singapore," he said.

With Singapore renewing its contract to host the F1 race until 2028, Iswaran said the challenge is to ensure that the Singapore race remains a distinctive one in the F1 calendar.

"The important thing here is to keep focused, try and innovate, and make sure that we keep our product of the competitive edge," he said.

"There will be new races next year, such as the Las Vegas race, and we need to make sure that we learn from them, and see how our race measures up against those."

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