Singapore extends ‘Monaco of the East’ GP

ORGANISERS of Formula One’s Singapore Grand Prix announced a four-year contract extension until 2021 yesterday, adding that their costs were falling as they find new efficiencies and revenue streams.

The announcement, prolonging the distinctive night race which has been dubbed F1’s “crown jewel” and the “Monaco of the East”, comes after neighbouring Malaysia decided to cancel its grand prix, citing rising costs.

Singapore Minister for Industry S. Iswaran said the deal took “several rounds” of negotiations with Formula One’s new owners Liberty Media, who took over this year.

“The Singapore race is clearly a signature race... it’s also our gateway into Asia which is important for our future and our growth,” F1 chief Chase Carey told reporters.

“Singapore is truly an iconic race on our schedule.”

The Singapore Grand Prix, which started in 2008, traverses a floodlit, downtown layout which takes in the city-state’s landmarks and gleaming skyscrapers.

Its extension shows Liberty is keen to make Singapore a centrepiece of its Asian schedule, as it tries to build a more coherent calendar with Asian, European and American swings.

However, Liberty failed to extend Singapore by the usual five years, as the city-state’s authorities remained cautious about F1’s future direction under its new owners.

While neither side divulged terms of the new deal, Iswaran said Singapore’s costs had fallen to S$135 million (RM420 million) despite inflation over the last 10 years.

Iswaran said the decision by Malaysia, which will hold its last grand prix in two weeks’ time, had no bearing on Singapore’s move to stay in Formula One.

He said Singapore had not noticed any significant competition from the Malaysian Grand Prix, even after it was moved to an adjacent slot in the F1 calendar.