Art
Perhaps surprisingly for an event dominated by loud noise and macho moves, this is a great time of year for art, with some exciting exhibitions taking place throughout September. Among the most relevant (since it was specially curated for the race), popular British artist Paul Oz (Sep 19-Oct 20) presents his signature large scale “explosive” paintings for his self-titled solo show at Icon Gallery.

Meanwhile, art enclave Gillman Barracks is celebrating its First Anniversary through Sep 28–with late-night openings and an array of free performances from the likes of avant-garde collective Strangeweather Movement Group.

A is also for apps, and there are two official ones this year: the SingTel Pitstop Mobile App (which lets you share pictures of the race in a fan gallery) and the Singapore GP Mobile App. Frankly though, you only really need the I-S App, available for both your Android phone and your iPad.

Beautiful people

F1 attracts glamorous, good-looking types like no other weekend of the year. “Always dress to impress,” says Pangaea’s [famed party girl] Sabrina Van Cleff Ault. “Dress for speed and heat. It’s going to be a crazy hot weekend so you have to be prepared for anything. Bling is the best way to flash.” And it’s not too late to join in the fun: online luxury retailer shopthemag.com will be setting up a Fashion Pitstop pop-up store (#07-37, 1003 Bukit Merah Central, 6635-1561) from Sep 19-21, carrying desirable one-off pieces from the likes of Malaysia’s famed Khoon Hooi and Indonesia’s Johnny Ramli. You’ll need them to stand out from the crowd. Call 6635-1561 or email [email protected] for guest-list.

The bold and the beautiful will also be found at the Amber Lounge, either on the front row or sashaying through the crowds during the haute couture fashion show by local designer Frederick Lee, choreographed by famed stylist Daniel Boey.

Champagne

What’s F1 without some Champers? Get ahead of the drivers by popping a few bottles before the finishing celebrations. Check out our list of dining deals and parties for special events and menus, but if you just want to get straight to the good stuff head over to Clarke Quay’s Aquanova, where G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne will be going for $99 nett per bottle.

Dining deals

As is now standard for F1 weekend, tons of restuarants are going all out with special menus and promos. The big one this year is undoubtedly over at Pan Pacific (right in the heart of the action, no less) where daytime pop-up brunch party Bacchanalia Brunch: GPSS Edition is taking place. The bash features delish canapés and dishes from Bacchanalia, accompanied by cool music courtesy of DJs Jesse Marco, Stephen Day and Sungus. Another solid options: Wooloomooloo and Balzac Brasserie’s Singapore Grand Prix 2013 Special Promotion (available Sep 15-26), which comes with a promotional sausage platter paired with a glass of wine at just $18.

Exclusive appearances

It’s one of the hottest topics of gossip over race weekend: who’s been spotted where and when. “We do not usually know which celebrities will attend until they show up,” says Podium Lounge’s organizer Robbie Hoyes-Cock. “But rest assured that the majority of F1 team, drivers and team-owners will turn up at the Podium Lounge as they stay at The Ritz-Carlton due to its proximity to the Paddock Club.”

Over at 1 World Music Festival, there will also be special appearances by non-performing A-listers. “We have tables reserved for the usual slew of celebrity guests who will be making appearances at the Aire Lounge area,” says organizer Gregory Gumo. “It’s a pop-up club on festival grounds where guests can rub shoulders with the performers as well as the rest of the big names coming to town."

Free Rides

Just in case you didn’t know, rides on the Singapore Flyer are free for all ticket holders. Suffice to say, the view will be stunning.

Grand Theft Auto V

It’s the gaming event of the year and probably the closest most of us are going to get to racing recklessly around a city. (The provocative ad they took out on our cover last week gives you a pretty good idea of what’s in store…) It’s been five years since the last one, so expect queues out the door when the latest instalment of one of the most popular (and notorious) video games of all-time launches on September 17. It’s available for both Xbox 360 and PS3, priced at $79.90-189.90 from Comics Connection. Find out more at its website.

Headline acts

This year’s headliners at the 2013 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Concerts might just be the best yet. As well as The Killers, you’ve got Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Big Bang—hey, even they’re not your thing, there’s no denying they’re huge. Plus familiar old names like Tom Jones and, ahem, Bob Geldof (why he’s playing on the Saturday and not the Monday so he can sing about it, is beyond us); alongside smaller but no-less-interesting names like Laura Mvula (Friday Sep 20, 8:30pm, Zone 4) and Owl City (Monday Sep 23, 6:15pm, Zone 4).

“Each year we try to curate a broad span of music and entertainment to cross as many age groups and genres as possible,” says organizer Michael Roche of Midas Promotions. “Killers is our rock act, Rihanna our diva female pop act, and Justin Bieber and Owl City for the younger market. A huge amount of work has gone into securing this line up and the production is going to be stunning on the massive Padang main stage.”

Iggy Azalea

Move over Nicki Minaj. Iggy Azalea is the new It girl in hip hop, and this blonde model from Down Under (yes, really) with the filthy mouth is one of our top picks at the 1 World Music Festival.

"I" also stands for illusions, with acclaimed UK magician Dynamo showcasing his awesome tricks on Saturday Sep 21, 7:55pm, Zone 4, 10pm, Zone 1 and Sunday Sep 22, 6:30pm, Zone 1. The guy’s crossed the River Thames on foot, so let’s see what he does with Marina Bay.

Jetting away

After five years of F1 it’s possible you’ve just had enough. If that’s the case, then why not use the weekend to get away? Affordable return flights (going out Friday, back Sunday) are still available to Hong Kong ($288 upwards with Tigerair), Bali ($204 upwards with AirAsia) and Bangkok ($304 upwards with Jetstar).

The Killers

There’s no question where we’ll be on the Saturday evening: front of the Padang crowd singing along to Mr. Brightside. Still a hot commodity in the rock ‘n’ roll scene, with their latest album Battle Born named 2012’s second best by Rolling Stone mag, this is Brandon and the boys’ first ever appearance here so expect something really big.

Last minute staycations

One of the smartest ways to get in on the action without actually getting in. At the Pan Pacific Singapore, the Race in Style room promotion (from $1,100) is on September 20-22, including access to the Pacific Club on level 38, which offers 360-degree views of the race track.

Other trackside options are The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore—where the Singapore Night Race deal goes for $1,250 from Sep 21-23—and Mandarin Oriental, where F1 rates start from $895. Further from the race track, Carlton Hotel from Sep 19-22.

The Main event

It’s easy to forget, what with all the ancillary events and antics, that there’s actually a race happening. If you’re not a year-round follower of F1 here’s what you need to know: As we go to press (ahead of the Italian Grand Prix on September 8) Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel (last year’s winner in Singapore) leads the Drivers’ Championship by a whopping 46 points over Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and 58 over Mercedes’ pretty boy Lewis Hamilton.

There’ll be six races to go after Singapore, so it’s all still to play for, but expect the chasing pack to be desperate to hunt down the seemingly invincible Vettel. Hamilton has said in interviews that he expects Singapore to be a turning point. “I think we’ll be back to being very competitive, or more competitive when we get [there]. The circuits from there are more twisty and more higher downforce, compared to Spa and Monza which require a specific package, which either works or doesn’t, and you are stuck with it.”

Night & Day Grand Prix Ultra Lounge

The latest addition to F1’s party series (see our round-up of parties) will feature celebs and jet-setters lounging at luxuriously-furnished gallery The P’enthouse by the P’ Club Group, and boasts a massive live telecast of the race as well as an art exhibition, with donations going to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

One World Music Festival

This brand new addition to the weekend looks set to give the more-established events a run for their money. Snoop Dogg’s performing for the first time in town, and so is Iggy Azalea alongside a stellar DJ lineup which includes Moby, Orbital (read our interview with Phil Hartnoll), N*E*R*D’s Chad Hugo and Cosmic Gate at the nearby Marina Barrage. “It’s going to be an unparalleled festival” says organizer Gregory Gumo. “We’ve gotten big names from each genre to perform on the same stage and amazing production to complement the acts—basically non-stop entertainment.”

Parties

Parties and F1 go hand in hand. And this year, there are more than ever (see F1 Singapore Grand Prix parties). And if you don’t want to pay, scroll down to "V" for VIP guestlists to learn how to score an entry.

Quay to discounts

Ticket-holders get special treatment over at Clarke Quay, including free drinks at Playhouse (#01-08 Blk. C, 6305-6768, www.playhouse.sg) and discounts off your bill at tons of other spots (visit Clarke Quay's dedicated microsite for more). There are race promos for non ticket-holders, too, as well as special appearances by Mexican race driver Sergio Perez (currently twelfth in the Drivers’ Championship) and two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Hakkinen on Sep 18, 6:30pm at the Central Fountain.

Rev-Up @ Orchard

The annual shopping celebration held from Sep 13-23 will feature pop-up stalls selling F1 merchandise, free gift-with-purchase deals at several malls including Orchard Central and Wisma Atria, fashion shows, music performances by local acts and a go-kart race event at *SCAPE.

Steve Aoki

The king of electro is back. Sure, the guy was recently caught using pirated software to synch his tracks for a recording with Linkin Park, but who else can work up a crowd like he does? Aoki spins Sep 21, 10pm at Ep!c Pit Stop Saturday with Steve Aoki at Zouk.

Ticketing

In case you haven’t purchased your tickets to the main event yet, here are the latest updates: premiere Walkabout tickets, which give you access to all four zones and the main concerts, are sold out. Your next best option is to go for the Zone 4 tickets ($148-178), which will still give you access to the main concert and a limited view of the racing action. Depending on your budget, there are different tiers still available—$48 gets you a regular seat at Empress Place (although still limited to Zone 4) or go for the Turn 2 Grandstand tickets ($1,288) which give you a decent view as well as access to all zones. Log onto the website for updates and more details.

Unwinding

All that action taking its toll on you? There are a few special ways to unwind. From Sep 19-22, head to nearby The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands to do some late-night shopping and indulge in special dining privileges (look out for exclusive chef appearances). Following that, tee-off at the Marina Bay Golf Course during its Weekend Night Golf Special from Sep 21-22, with the course open from 4:30pm till very late. And then chill out at Bar Stories at their Off Your Tracks nights (Sep 20-21, 7-11pm), where there will be Spin the Rave Wheel games and trivia alongside bespoke race-inspired cocktails.

VIP guestlists

Getting on a guestlist is easier said than done, though if you’re “in the company of a celebrity, F1 Driver or team owner, royalty, supermodel or an ambassador of some sorts, you might just get in,” says Robbie Hoyes-Cock, organizer of Podium Lounge. Our advice: make lots of friends at the race track, especially anyone who could pass for a model. You never know.

Weish

One of Singapore’s brightest talents and most electrifying live acts, the girl known to her parents as Chew Wei Shan (and a familiar face at local live joints Timbre and Blu Jaz) is performing her unique brand of acoustic-pop on Friday Sep 20, 5:15pm & 7:15pm, Zone 1; Saturday Sep 21, 7pm, Zone 4; Sunday Sep 22, 7pm, Zone 4. Read our interview with her.

Xtended opening of the MRT

Getting around town over race weekend can be a real pain. But thanks to late night opening of the MRT (trains ran until 1am last year) you needn’t worry about getting stuck in traffic or waiting for a cab that never comes. Don’t forget there are six different stations serving the various circuit zones.

You

Look after yourself, you hear? Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes (getting around the various zones involves a lot of walking) and ear plugs (“survival kits” which also include a poncho usually go for $2 on site), and drink plenty of water (you’re allowed to take one bottle of up to 600ml into the circuit—anything bigger is banned, along with laser pointers, Frisbees and—no joke—animals). Plan your exit strategy carefully (crowds start building at the exits nearly half an hour before the end of the race) or else you’ll be stuck there till late. And then treat yourself to a foot massage the next day. One of our all-time favorites is Orchard Way Beauty Shop in the seedy environs of Orchard Towers (#04-03, 400 Orchard Rd., 6737-1758). Ask for Sam—the man is a magician and only charges $38/hour.

Zones
There are four zones in the F1 circuit (view the map at www.singaporegp.sg/), but Zone 4 (covering The Esplanade, the Padang and towards Raffles Place) is where you need to park yourself. That’s where the main action is taking place.