History

Staged in the Marina Bay area, the Singapore Grand Prix, which takes place at the Marin Bay Circuit, was the first night race in F1's history and made its debut in 2008. The design includes powerful lighting systems that will replicate daylight conditions and the most stringent safety protocols will be applied to ensure driver and spectator safety. In addition, the race is run in an anti-clockwise direction to enhance safety. Changes were made to the track ahead of the 2009 race. Turn One has been modified to the geometry to reduce corner speed so that it provides potential overtaking opportunities in the braking zone at the approach to the corner. Turn 13, the tight left-handed hairpin after the historic Anderson Bridge, was amended to increase cornering speed, providing additional speed on Esplanade Drive and increasing the opportunity for overtaking in the braking zone at Turn 14. With the revision, the cars are now likely to reach speeds of approximately 275km/h along Esplanade Drive. In addition, the geometry of Turn 14 was also modified to improve overtaking opportunities in the braking zone. The changes involved relocating the corner apex to reduce the corner radius and reducing the estimated cornering speed of the cars. The pit exit was also changed. In 2008 it entered the circuit into the braking zone for Turn One, immediately after the pit wall. But following suggestions from the FIA, the pit lane was realigned and lengthened for 2009, exiting on the drivers' left at Turn Two, away from the racing line and onto a part of the circuit where the cars will all be accelerating. Finally, the runoff distances at Turn 22 were reduced, providing better spectator circulation in the area.