By REDintern Christy Ong
Jarno Trulli at the Singapore Grand Prix. Many will remember him for his “Trulli train” when he held up a line of cars behind him during the race. (Photo © Van/Red Sports)
The Singapore Grand Prix is finally over.
We all now know how it played out with Fernando Alonso making history by being the first Singapore night Grand Prix winner in a drama-filled night.
I was blissfully watching the race in front of the television screen on Sunday night, ‘ooh-ing' and ‘ahh-ing' at all the events as the drama unfolded. This was a stark contrast to Friday night where I had the chance to go for the practice race.
Being there was anything but fun. Indeed, one can argue about how the real race night can never be compared to the practice race in terms of the bustling atmosphere and the electrifying competition.
Still, I need to be enlightened – how can watching cars speed past 61 times for more than 2 hours be interesting?
Sure, it was an exhilarating experience at the start. I never imagined that I would have the chance to watch cars at such an amazing speed and speeding down our very own Singapore streets. Hearing how loud the F1 cars were was astounding - I never thought noise would ever make me so uncomfortable and thrilled with anticipation at the same time. It was fun trying to catch a glimpse of the words on the car and guessing whose car it was before it whizzed off.
However, barely half an hour later, this wondrous experience was becoming monotonous. After all, there is only that much excitement I can find in watching cars doing laps after laps again and again. I was starting to feel like I was trapped in a prison with all the fence and barricades around and forced to watch replays over and over again.
Nonetheless, I reasoned to myself - there must be a reason why there are so many F1 fans around. Perhaps I have not been watching the race from the correct spot.
So, we went hunting for the correct spot.
We must have walked almost the whole circuit (or at least those areas that we could go as unfortunately we were not VIPs). It didn't help that some paths were sandy and full of rocks (I was surprised - was this the image Singapore wanted to portray to the tourists?) and I had a hard time walking around.
Alas, despite standing at the bends, we did not managed to catch any accident happening that could make the race remotely more entertaining to me. Ironically, in the end, the best spot we managed to get was a synthetic grass patch in front of a huge television screen. From the television screen, we could watch the race unobstructed with a full grasp of what exactly was going on (cars spinning out of control and Giancarlo Fisichella's spectacular crash) and with the F1 cars thundering in the background, we could still soak up the entire atmosphere.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the race itself, there were still small little moments that made me smile during the events. The scenery of Singapore against the night sky was breathtaking and it made me proud that millions of viewers overseas would be able to view it. It also wowed the tourists there as I spotted quite a few tourists taking the eyes off the race to take photos of the Singapore's backdrop instead. Adults and children were having the time of their life as what they have been watching on the television came alive in front of their eyes. (Well, there were also some just as bored as me hanging around I guess, judging from the number of children playing amongst themselves.)
So, although I am glad that Singapore's first Grand Prix went without a glitch and that I was part of history by being at the first F1 night race, I am still not an F1 fan and unlikely to be an F1 fan in the near future. And if you ask me where I feel is the best location to watch an F1 race - it would definitely be at home with chips in my hand, surrounded by my family and glued to the television screen.
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Very well written Jan, I salute you 🙂
I really love the point you make about following up on the sport and stuff, because thats what makes u excietd about the sport actually. 🙂 awesome.
And Les, yea starsports screen every of the F1 race so i guess thats why they did a much better job as compared to channel 5. Haha
I was more used to watching a race through the familiarity of Star Sports since I catch every other race through cable. It felt kinda weird watching it through channel 5 to be honest. Though I was switching in between channels because I was intrigued to hear the commentary of AlexYoong whose Chinese name is literally Bear Dragon — ok thats out of point but!
Hello: Yeah I def agree with you that not one is better than the other, in fact, I’m a big fan of live sporting experience too. Be it F1, football or cricket… there is something absolutely charming about being soaked in the midst of live ‘fanfare’.
I think its unlikely, however, that watching a sport ‘live’ is inherently able to win more fans, which is what this writer is suggesting. The ’emotional high’ of watching a sport ‘live’ wears off in days and the beauty of a sport like F1, as we all identify, is in the strategy (and maybe the overtaking moments)!
Then, it is not so much about watching a sport ‘live’ or not, its about watching/following the ‘sport’ at all! It requires more of a willing comprehension and you know the going-home-and-reading-up-more about the sport, ideally the ‘live’ experience serves as a trigger, still I’m skeptical if that can turn people into fans. 🙂
Even with football, if I genuinely want to appreciate the game then watching through the TV – with the goal replays, aerial view of the formation, goal setups – offers so much more than the momentary high I get from watching the match ‘live’. I surprise myself with this verdict, which I received after watching my fav football team in BPL ‘live’ in UK.
Same applies for F1, the suspense of the strategies employed by each driver to outwit the other is what I eagerly look forward to on race day and I think it is a pity to be planted at one spot and remain oblivious to how many pitstops a driver has made, how driver X overtook driver Y at a particular corner, how the errors+fouls were committed etc etc, basically just learning more about the sport each race. 🙂
Essentially, a fan will be concern not just who won but how it is won (or lost). 😉
Star Sports was better? Ah, then it was a mistake on Ch 5’s part then. Terrible sound mixing.
I don’t have cable and so can’t compare.
Thanks for filling in the blanks.
Yes Les, I felt that the Live telecast on channel 5 was bad. The roar of the engines were overpowering the commentary.
Luckily I have the luxury of cable tv and watched in from Starsports instead, which i have to mention, was much better. haha
Yes, I must agree with you that the strategy side of things for F1 is quite intriguing. So many things come into play and it’s not purely about the driver, although some may say it should all be about the driver and not the technology and the money.
Yes, watching from the luxury of the suite is quite different from sitting in the stands or trackside. That is for sure.
By the way, did anyone find the commentary sound level on tv a bit hard to hear over the roar of the engine sounds in the background? The sound mixing seemed incorrect watching on the television and I had to strain to hear.
I love the views of everyone here, but as they say, a man’s steak might be anither man’s poison.
Personally, I watched the qualifying session live at the circuit and watched the race from the comforts of my home.
I wouldnt say which is which, because both are totally different.
It was surreal, watching my favourite drivers whizzing down the track and hearing those loud engines roar. amazing.
Watching the race on tv at home was also extremely good because like the other races, I was able to follow the action closely and had good commentators to listen to too.
I’ve also had friends who were not fans of F1, got free tickets, went to watch it live and loved it so much. Some even kept on exclaiming, “watching it on TVand watching it live is so different! I LOVE IT HERE!”
But then again, some of them had the luxury of the suite (aircon, free flow of champange, free food etc.) :S
Also, a girl friend of mine was forced to go with her dad to watch the race Marina Bay. She was reluctant because she doesnt follow F1 and isnt exactly a fan.
However, after the race, she called me straightaway and exclaimed that she is in love.
haha she said she loved the strategic side of F1 and its amazing how those ppl in the pits are able to strategise so well, to hlp their driver.
so yea, i guess everyone has their own views.
I personally love F1 and I would love to see Singaporeans embrace the sport not because its ‘cool’ but because its strategic and exciting.
I’d be very happy if the knowledge of F1 amongst Singaporeans grows 😀
This story was about the writer’s experience at the F1 for the first time. It’s not meant to be an expert treatise on the subject and it wasn’t the point of her story.
It says a lot about F1 that one can’t watch it live and understand what’s going on. Watching it on tv is a totally different experience – a much better one.
I doubt F1 will catch on in Singapore because F1 is only shown on cable television and there are 511,000 households with cable out of 1.092 million households.
A sport can only grow a large enough audience that appreciates it only when it gets continued free-to-air coverage.
The 700,000 plus households that watched the F1 Singapore Grand Prix did so because it was on Channel 5. The number of Singaporean households that watch the next F1 will undoubtedly be much lower.
In any case, F1 is good for putting Singapore on the tourism map and being the first is good for Singapore because from next year, there will be more night races.
I suppose everyone has their own hunch and take on whether a sport is for them or not, so does this writer. While sometimes a sport can grow on you, you just know there are others that will not.
There must already be a basic trigger of interest before any form of explanation would actually ‘stay’ and not go out from the other ear! For years, I have tried explaining Football, F1, cricket etc to many of my girlfriends and if it doesn’t click, it doesn’t.
Anyhow, I don’t think this article is meant to criticise the sport than it is for the writer to share her own sentiments about her preference and each is entitled to his/her own preference? 🙂
For 99% of the world’s population, F1 will always be a mere spectator sport to them, which does not help in heightening one’s appreciation. Football only became the “world’s sport” because the sport can be played ANYWHERE and just with a ball.
Being a ‘season’ and ‘strategic’ sport as well means also that to find F1 meaningful – beyond the crashes at the chicane – is also about following the sport for the entire season and even having some knowledge about the previous seasons too. Cable TV, anyone?
Like it or not, F1 is an exclusive sport and there is reason to believe that FIA pride themselves to be so. Nevermind, I doubt it is in the intention of the organisers to ‘win’ more F1 fans on this part of the world by allowing the sport into Singapore…right? 😉
Hey guys, I don’t deny my lack knowledge of this sport – after all I know about F1 is from googling “F1 Singapore” and reading up countless newspaper reviews. And it makes me smile just by reading all these positive reviews.
Notice what I am saying – I am NOT saying that F1 is boring. I am saying that F1 is boring when you watch it LIVE. I did ENJOY watching it on the TV because I could watch ALL the drama unfold. And it was a great Sunday race.
Compare watching all the drama to watching the cars whizzed down one after another for 2 hours plus and having your friends update you on what is happening. Of course I would choose watching it in the comfort of my home.
I will definitely watch the F1 Singapore races again next year out of patriotism but not out of interest. And that the reason why I wouldn’t bother to follow F1 unless they are back in Singapore.
I am not sure whether I will ever become a fan of F1 despite knowing all the technicalities or it will turn me away. Liking a sport is a matter of taste. Still, thanks for the encouragement.
I have to agree with Spatologist on this one.
There is an evident lack of knowledge shown by the writer and this is very saddening because thats whats happening to Singaporeans.
Jumping onto the bandwagon because its the F1 fever.
Yes, this is an excellent thing, but when they dont bother finding out more about the sport, it might turn them away further.
I was busy explaining the sport to my friends who do not follow it religiously.
After the race, the were more excited bout the sport and Im sure they will be at the nxt few Grand Prix in Sg again
From what you have written, I’m sadden that no one has bother to explain the game to you. One need to understand how the game is being played to truely enjoy it. The finals on Sunday is one of the most exciting race this season.
Like yourself, i was once a F1 noob. But lucky for me, a friend bother to take time and explain to me how the starting grid was determined, what are pit stop strategies, tyre usage, fuel management etc. Understanding the sport heightens your appreciation to it.
Camping yourself at some chicane and waiting for crashes to happen is not what F1 is about or how it is to be enjoyed. Your serious lack of knowledge in the sport is showing in the article. Read up more or get a friend to explain it to you. You have one year to buck up 🙂