FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix – Media Information

All systems go for first-ever night race in FORMULA 1™ history August 2008 – Preparations for the first-ever night race in FORMULA 1™ history have been steadily building up with in-principle approval received for the Singapore street circuit, as well as the bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system. The biggest sports event the Republic has ever hosted to date, the inaugural FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix is set to be a truly unique event when the cars line up on the starting grid on 28 September 2008. Exactly one year before the race, Singapore received in-principle approval from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on September 28, 2007, for the proposed 5.067km-long street circuit that will offer multiple overtaking opportunities as well as fast and challenging turns. Already, the Pit Building is 65 percent complete and is on track to be ready by the end of June. Modifications to existing roads and construction of new circuit sections are also expected to be completed by end-May, and installation of the lighting system will begin in stages from the end of May with completion targeted for 31 August. Set against the spectacular Singapore skyline, spectators will get a close-up view of the garden city as the circuit passes historic landmarks such as the City Hall and modern buildings along the Marina Bay, such as the Esplanade. With speeds expected to reach 300km per hour along portions of the circuit, spectators are assured a thrilling race that will keep them on the edge of their seats. The 2008 FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will also be the first-ever night race on the FORMULA ONE™ racing calendar and extensive testing has been will be carried out to ensure utmost safety.

Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP, Mr Colin Syn, commented, “We have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the teams and spectators get a first-class experience at the inaugural FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix come September 2008. The street circuit will ensure that the visitors are right in the heart of the racing action. It is also minutes away from the Marina Bay’s shopping, accommodation, entertainment and fine dining districts – further enhancing the whole race day experience for all the visitors.” Seen as the Monaco of the East, the FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix promises to be the highlight of the social calendar both in Singapore as well as across Asia. Spectators will be spellbound by the exhilarating views of the heritage backdrop in the comfort of the luxurious hospitality facilities located at strategic points around the circuit. With hospitality suites and grandstand seating lining the track, everyone will be ensured of a great view of the action and an unforgettable experience. Three-day corporate hospitality suites and packages went on sale in late November and early December 2007. The deluxe suites, fully equipped with personable service and fine food and beverage, can cater for 10 to 50 people. All corporate hospitality packages have now been sold, including all the Sky Suites at the Pit Grandstand, Pit Exit and Turns 1 and 2, in addition to the Club Suites at the Pit Entry. A total of 96,000 tickets have been released, 83,000 three-day walkabout and grandstand passes have been sold in addition to 13,000 corporate hospitality and Paddock Club places. Ticket prices range from US$120 for a three-day walkabout pass to US$980 for a three-day Pit Grandstand pass with tickets sold on a first-come-first-served basis. So far over 94% of tickets have been sold, although plenty of places remain. All interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Singapore GP website (www.singaporegp.sg) for more details and to register their interest. -EndFor more information, please contact: Fiona Smith Communications Manager, Singapore GP Pte Ltd DID: +65 6731 4943 | Mobile: +65 8248 3363 | Email: [email protected] Stephen Slater, Kingpin Media Ltd DID: +44 1494 776 831 | Mobile: +44 7967 381 884 | E-mail: [email protected]

Fact Sheet FACT SHEET Official Title

2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

About the race:

The inaugural 2008 FORMULA 1™ Singapore SingTel Grand Prix will take place on 28 September 2008 on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The race is the 15th leg on the 2008 Formula One™ race calendar and includes a bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system that delivers optimal visibility for night race conditions. The race will be the first held at night in Formula One ™ history and Asia’s only street race on the Formula One ™ calendar. Positioned as the Monaco of the East, this is the most anticipated race on the 2008 Grand Prix calendar.

Official website:

www.singaporegp.sg

Venue:

Marina Bay – in the heart of Singapore – just minutes from 5-star hotels, the MRT underground system, the bustling CBD district and historic landmarks such as City Hall and The Padang which form part of Singapore’s heritage hub.

Key Dates:

26 September 2008: (all timings subject to FIA approval) - 1st Practice Session (1600-1730 hrs) - 2nd Practice Session (2000-2130 hrs) 27 September 2008: - Final Practice Session (1700-1800 hrs) - Qualifying (2000 hrs) 28 September 2008: - 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix (2000 hrs)

Title sponsor:

SingTel, Asia’s leading telecommunications company

Race Promoter:

Singapore GP Pte Ltd

Sanctioning Body:

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)

Support Races:

Aston Martin Asia Cup. Formula BMW Pacific Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

Expected attendance:

96,000 spectators

Ticketing:

3-day Corporate Hospitality packages went on sale in November 2007, and 83,000 grandstand and walkabout passes were released for sale from February 2008.

Ticket Prices: (3-day passes/person)

Walkabout Passes: S$168 Grandstand Passes: S$248 – S$1,388 Corporate Hospitality: S$3,500 – S$6,500

Ticket Sales Channels:

Via the official website: www.singaporegp.sg Via the dedicated ticket hotline: +65 6738 6738 [Hotline is available from 1000-2000 hours, Mondays to Fridays (Singapore time), and from 1200-1800 hours, weekends (Singapore time)]

Track description Track length:

5,067m/3.148 miles*

Race direction:

Anti-clockwise

Number of laps:

An estimated 61 laps

Track width:

10m to 15m

Track surface:

Surface laid with Polymer Modified Binder and will offer vehicles 20% more grip. The lifespan of the road is expected to be longer than the 5 years for normal road surfaces

Number of turns:

23, consisting of 13 left turns and 10 right turns

Maximum speed:

In excess of 300kph

Slowest corners:

80 – 100 kph (T3, T10, T11, T15, T19 and T20)

Overtaking opportunities:

Turn 1: Pit Straight Turn 7: Raffles Boulevard Turn 15: Esplanade Drive

Track design consultant:

Kellogg Brown & Root Ptd Ltd

Number of laps:

61*

Race Distance:

308.95 km* (subject to FIA confirmation) (Please note the start and finish lines aren’t in the same place so the race distance is shorter than a 61 x 5.067km calculation. The start line is somewhere close to the middle of the straight, while the finish line is at the beginning of the straight).

Pit Building Developer:

Singapore GP Pte Ltd

Completed:

30 June 2008

Gross Floor Area:

22,000 sqm

Pit Building Features:

- 350m in length - Glass façade for panoramic view of pit lane and starting straight - 36 garages for 12 teams on ground floor - Race Control Centre, Winners’ Podium and Media Centre, Hospitality Lounges - Paddock Club (2nd & 3rd floors) can accommodate 4,000 guests

Lighting System Power

3,180,000 watt

Track Projectors

Approx. 1, 500 @ 2,000 watts each

Power Generators

12 (twin-power)

Power Cables

110,000m

Overall Luminosity

3000lux levels (four times brighter than a sports stadium)

Set up

2 to 3 months, from the end of May 2008

Completion

31 August 2008

Contacts: Fiona Smith, Communications Manager, Singapore GP Pte Ltd Tel: +65 6731 4943, Mobile: +65 9800 7274, Email: [email protected]

Stephen Slater Kingpin Media Ltd DID: +44 1494 776 831 | Mobile: +44 7967 381 884 | E-mail: [email protected]

2008 FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix Circuit Overview A Street Circuit in the Heart of Singapore The FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix circuit has been specifically designed to take place right in the heart of one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in the world. The circuit is just minutes from exclusive 5-star hotels, a vibrant and bustling food and entertainment scene, a fast and efficient underground service (the Mass Rapid Transit) and the Central Business District (CBD), which houses the regional headquarters of many of the major financial organisations. Positioned as the ‘Monaco of the East’ – Singapore is set to deliver an exciting and aspirational iconic event and certainly the most anticipated race of the 2008 season. Formula 1’s First Night Race An electric night-time atmosphere will deliver an amazing perspective on Singapore and its stunning cityscape. The later start time will ensure maximum exposure of the race in the important European television markets, while in Asia, a late Sunday evening broadcast ensures maximum market exposure. All Set for the Challenge Consistency of lighting around the track is main objective - both for the safety of drivers, the public and to ensure the best viewing quality for a worldwide television audience. Utilising the best lighting specialist in the field, Valerio Maioli S.p.a., who comes with extensive knowledge spanning over 40 years – a bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system has been designed to deliver optimal visibility for night race conditions. The system minimises glare and reflections from a wet surface or spray from cars through lighting projectors which are strategically positioned around the circuit. The logistical set up is vast - 108,423m of power cables, 240 steel pylons, approximately 1,600 light projectors with a total power requirement of 3,180,000 watts will be used. At 3000lux levels, the lighting will be four times brighter than the lights at sports stadiums. As with every FORMULA 1™ race, back-up systems are in place to ensure the safety of the spectators, drivers, and marshals.

One of the Fastest Street Circuits – Not for the Faint-Hearted The track has been designed to give the drivers technical challenges while incorporating some of Singapore’s most distinctive architectural and heritage features. Alongside Turkey and Brazil, Singapore will be one of only three anti-clockwise tracks on the calendar. 1.2km of new road and the permanent state-of-the art Pit Building are being constructed within a very tight timescale. The Singapore GP and government agencies are working and achieving in 18 months, what many Grand Prix organisers work for two years to create. A number of initial track concepts were created in association with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), in co-ordination with other government agencies The detailed architecture and engineering is being handled by Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), a Melbourne-based architectural practice. They have lengthy experience of street circuit design going back to the creation of the Adelaide Grand Prix circuit which hosted the Australian GP in 1987. On race day, September 28, 2008, the drivers will take off from the start line to one of the fastest sections of the track – the wide Raffles Boulevard taking a 45 degree corner in 7th gear at approximately 300km/h – definitely a unique corner among street circuits. The section of track along St. Andrews Road combines a high speed straight with a backdrop of some of the Singapore’s heritage landmarks before the track sweeps onto the Anderson Bridge, a cast-iron bridge which is nearly 100 years old. Another high-speed straight across the modern Esplanade Bridge takes the track past contemporary Singapore icons such as the Theatres on the Bay and the Singapore Flyer which then leads the drivers back to the start line. The biggest difference between Singapore and the Monaco GP, another street circuit in the FORMULA 1™ calendar, is that the track is set to be much wider and faster. At 10metres, the narrowest and slowest parts of the track – at the Anderson Bridge and the National Day grandstand – are equivalent to the widest parts of Monaco. Raffles Boulevard with its 300km/h “kink” and the sweeping left-hander onto St Andrews Road is certain to be an exciting driver’s challenge. Keep an eye out too for some excellent overtaking spots - most notably at the end of Raffles Boulevard and as the cars cross Esplanade Bridge and brake for the right-hander at the Theatres on the Bay.

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FAST FACTS LIGHTING THE FORMULA ONETM SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX Frequently Asked Questions Lighting specialists Valerio Maioli S.p.a. of Ravenna, Italy, have designed a bespoke, state-of-the-art lighting system to deliver optimal visibility for night race conditions. The system minimises glare and reflections from a wet surface or spray from cars through lighting projectors which are strategically positioned around the circuit. The logistical set up is vast - 108,423m of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,600 light projectors with a total power requirement of 3,180,000 watts will be used. At 3000lux levels, the lighting will be four times brighter than the lights at sports stadiums.

Copyright 2007 Valerio Maioli SpA – all rights reserved

As with every FORMULA 1™ race, back-up systems are in place to ensure the safety of the spectators, drivers, and marshals.

What are some of the challenges in setting up the light system? Setting up a light system in a street circuit involves a number of challenges. To prevent the unnecessary uprooting of trees, the height of the lights would have to be lower than the tree canopy lining the circuit. As the FORMULA ONETM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix is a street circuit, the light system is a temporary one. Other challenges include setting-up and dismantling the system in the quickest possible time to minimise disruption. A logical solution is to use special power-lock connectors to connect the cables, as well as pre-preparing equipment such as the various lengths of cables required, in Singapore. Because of the limited time-frame to set up the system, it would be impossible to place the cables in underground ducts. As a result, aluminium trusses – similar to light fittings at a concert – will be used to house the power cables. How extensively will the track be lit? The entire track, including the run-off areas, has to be consistently lit. However, the run-off areas would not as bright as the rest of the track, so as to avoid confusing the drivers. The light beam has to be controlled such that occasionally, if the cars spin and end up facing a wrong direction, the driver’s vision is not impaired.

How will the aluminium trusses be set up? The light projectors are mounted on aluminium trusses, measuring 400 by 400 by 4000 millimetres. These are installed 10 metres above the track, supported by vertical steel pylons placed 32 metres apart. The vertical steel pylons, measuring 252 by 360 by 10,000mm, will be supported by prefabricated concrete blocks. The height of the pylons, which varies from 8 to 12 metres, will have to be individually adjusted according to its location along the circuit, without compromising on the luminosity. How will the lighting system be powered? 12 twin-power generators, located in sound-proof containers, will be providing electricity for the light system during the race. The diesel and power levels of the generators will be closely monitored via a main control room located at the pit building. What happens if there is a power fault? Should any of the generators fail, the other generators would serve as a back-up by default. As a precaution, engineers will also be assigned to each generator. If there is a power fault in any of the cables, the devices can be interchanged quickly due to the use of power-lock connectors. Neighbouring lighting projectors will be powered by different power sources and phases: therefore it is unlikely that in the case of a technical fault, that two adjacent projector lamps will fail. Will the lighting be even throughout the circuit? Yes, each light consists of a projector with internal reflectors individually modified to adapt to a particular area of the circuit. Each projector consists of a 2000watt white metal halide lamp. The projectors will be installed at 4 meter intervals on the aluminium truss. Will the lighting system be installed on both sides of the track? The lighting projectors will only be placed on one side of the track, fixed at the same side of the track as the television cameras, to reduce glare when broadcasting the race. As the height of the F1 cars is only 1 metre, the shadows cast would be minimal. Thus, it is not necessary to have lights on both sides of the track. ENDS Contacts: Fiona Smith, Communications Manager, Singapore GP Pte Ltd. DID: +65 6731 4943 | Mobile: +65 8248 3363 | Email: [email protected] Stephen Slater, Kingpin Media Ltd DID: +44 1494 776 831 | Mobile: +44 7967 381 884 | E-mail: [email protected]

A FLYING LAP OF THE MARINA BAY STREET CIRCUI T No-one, of course, has yet driven the track which will host the FORMULA 1TM Singtel Singapore Grand Prix. Based on speed projections and simulations, ESPN Star Sports commentator Steve Slater and former F1 driver and Clerk of the Course Tim Schenken have put their heads together to create a ‘virtual’ flying lap.

TURN 1.

Maximum rate braking from over 280km/h down to about 90, being careful to control wheel locking as the driver downshifts from 7th gear to 2nd for the tight left hander. A great place to see the awesome braking power of an F1 car. It’s also a good opportunity for a following car to grab a ‘sneak’ move down the inside and take a place.

TURNS 2/3/4

Briefly up to 3rd gear and 160km/h through Turn 2, before dropping back to second gear for the 90km/h Turn 3. Then it’s back onto full throttle and up to 4th gear and 200km/h as the cars leave the permanent section of the track and flick through Turn 4, the first corner on the public highway.

TURN 5

Back onto the brakes and down to 3rd gear for Turn 5, the entrance to Raffles Boulevard. The exit to this corner, taken at about 140km/h, has an opening radius which will allow a car following closely, not to lose too much downforce. That gives an opportunity for an overtaking move at the end of the straight.

TURN 6

Before that though, we reach the awesome Turn 6, a flat-out, full throttle kink in the track taken just before the cars change from 6th to 7th gear. Just after this corner is the fastest section of the track where the cars reach 310km/h, with the screaming exhaust notes bouncing off the surrounding buildings. Turn 6 will be the fastest corner on any street-circuit ever!

TURN 7/8.

At the end of Raffles Boulevard, Turn 7 is potentially one of the best overtaking opportunities. Here the cars brake from over 300km/h down to 90km/h for the second gear left-hander onto the Nicholl Highway, briefly accelerating back up to 200km/h in third before taking the 2nd gear right-hander around the War Memorial and accelerating to 200km/h along the short stretch of Stamford Road. The grandstands at Turn 8 could be one of the best viewing locations. If you get the right seat you’ll also see the cars as they return over the Esplanade Bridge to Turn 15!

TURN 9

A clean exit from the 3rd gear left hander at Turn 9, will control the cars speed along Anderson Road and past the Padang sports fields. It too is an opening radius corner – and without electronic traction control – the driver who can best control his cars horsepower will have an advantage at the end of the straight.

TURNS 10-13

From over 250km/h the cars will brake hard, again giving an overtaking opportunity, for the slower sequence of corners at the end of the straight. The heritage buildings of the old Supreme Court and the Singapore Cricket Club will create a backdrop similar to Monaco’s Casino Square. Here the drivers balance the cars in 2nd and 3rd gears at between 100 and 160 km/h, as they line up to cross the Anderson Bridge, a unique feature of any track in the world. Built in 1910 to link the North and South Banks of the Singapore River, its colonial architecture marks a major contrast to the ultra-modern skyline of the business quarter just behind.

TURNS 14/15

After a tight second gear hairpin at Turn 14, the cars will reach over 280km/h in seventh gear as they cross the Esplanade Bridge, before braking hard and shifting down to 2nd for the right handed Turn 15. This offers another overtaking opportunity before the cars accelerate back up to 240km/h through Turn 16, before reaching the slow speed section of track around the National Day Grandstand.

TURNS 16-19

The slowest part of the circuit taken at around 100km/h in 2nd gear, still provides a challenge to drivers and engineers. This section of track will work the brakes hard and place a premium on slow speed traction, not to mention the driver’s finesse! After running along the waterfront in front of the giant 27,000 seat grandstand, at Turn 19 the cars actually turn beneath the grandstand itself – another unique feature of the FORMULA 1TM Singtel Singapore Grand Prix.

TURNS 20-23.

Two further slower turns taken at around 120km/h in 3rd gear bring the cars back onto the waterfront next to the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel. The final two turns, taken at 150km/h and 200km/h respectively, give a fast-flowing end to the lap with 5.067km, 13 left turns and 10 right turns completed.