F1 boss tells spectacular S’pore to stay fresh

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SINGAPORE, Sept 13, (AFP): Formula One chief Chase Carey challenged the “spectacular” Singapore Grand Prix to keep improving on Wednesday as he made positive noises about striking a new deal to retain the glittering night race.

Carey refused to discuss talks about the future of the street race, which snakes past the city’s landmarks and skyscrapers and is in the final season of its second five-year contract.

But Carey, speaking at the All That Matters conference ahead of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, was highly complimentary of the event, suggesting that F1 is unwilling to let it go.

“I think it’s great,” the F1 chief executive and chairman said of Singapore, which was the first race he attended after America’s Liberty Media sealed its deal to take over the sport last year.

“Last year was the first time I was here and I thought it was spectacular. You can never rest on your laurels, so I think you’ve got to continue to find ways to make it fresh, make it new, so I think we have to continue to work. If you’re standing still, you’re going backwards.

“But I think Singapore, with such a spectacular skyline and the setting for that race, I think is something that will always capture people’s imagination.”

Discussions over Singapore continue as the longstanding grand prix in neighbouring Malaysia, which has been cut for cost reasons, prepares for its final race in two weeks’ time.

Carey said Singapore, which is known for its pop concerts and entertainment alongside the race, had been “ahead of the curve” in the drive to broaden the F1 experience beyond racing. Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker drives to the basket against Phoenix Mercury’s Camille Little (20)

and Brittney Griner (42) during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game, Sept 12, in Los Angeles. (AP)