Formula One action return to Singapore on 25 Sep 09 ~ 27 Sep 09. Here's a collection of pictures taken at few locations capturing life in the Lion City during this uniquely Singapore F1 weekend.
1) At Orchard Road
Orchard ION -The latest megamall on the Singapore Tourist Shopping belt, Orchard Road.
Beside the iconic underpass shelter, comes the red triangular booth used for the F1 race marketing campaign. No big crowd spotted but probably its still early afternoon.
The Orchard MRT (metro) station is located within Orchard ION.
The F1 fever is on. Racing car art exhibition @ Orchard ION.
Get into the F1 mood with your picture taken with the metallic race car.
It wasn't that busy in this part of the mall where you have time to pick your spot and angle for the best photoshoot with the artpiece.
Smaller replicas of the various race cars on display.
This car codenamed "Target" with a high heeled lady crafted on its front body.
This one with many lipstick marks on the body deservedly given the "PlayBoy" title.
"Democracy" or "Democracy kills" ? Not too sure which it means. This rugged looking vehicle looks to have survived a long gruelling battle with holes tattooed on its body. Maybe it symbolizes the battle for democracy.
Victory comes at a cost. Look at the tilted right wheel.
The two chinese words is pronounced as "Rong Yao" which means Honour. The cost of Victory in the pursuit of Honour...is it?
Looking at Victory from another angle. Notice the Heaven and Hell wordings on the wheel. Heaven = Victory & Honour and Hell = Tilted wheels & crumpled front body ?
XOXOXO. Looks in much better health than Victory. Did he came in last?
Democracy or Democracy kills - the bigger version.
Self confidence sucks? He doesn't like "haolian".
GO GO POWER RANGER!
This exhibition is called Pitor Sirat's Race Cars.
The full story.
Colourful snail-like looking creature with its championship crown.
Slow and steady win the race. Don't forget to take apples daily.
A security officer at the entrance of Orchard ION.
Weirdly dressed people about to enter the mall. He looks happy on the F1 weekend.
He's here to meet his kaki.
His kaki has many fans waiting to snap his picture including me. They brighten up the atmosphere though I'm not sure their real purpose for this dressing.
Dimly lited neon lightings on the ceilings gives it a disco feel on the escalator ride.
Food Opera. It is actually a foodcourt. Direct competitor to the Food Republic food chain in Wisma Atria. Both are high end foodcourt with higher food prices.
More crowd at Food Opera than the Racecar exhibition showed the real attraction for Singaporeans. Food.
The foodcourt looks more like a restaurant with its classy lightings and nice ambience. Sit wherever you want.
Here's another dining section of Food Opera.
Transparent chairs.
The wooden horse in Food Opera.
This is a real roasted pig though the shop name is called Modern Peking Duck.
The biggest Caramel roll in Singapore. Prices are steep based what is seen on the menu board.
Outside Food Opera are a host of food outlets selling Jap, Korean, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Italian, Western food,etc.
For chocolates & candies lovers, the Cocoa Tree is worth a visit due to its wide variety of products.
Singapore National Day celebration is over but this outdoor stall remains with its 2009 National Day deco.
As the F1 race arrives in the Lion City, the Mid-Autumn Festival drew close in a week time.
Red lanterns, foodstalls selling mooncakes and other items meant for the Mid-Autumn a.k.a Mooncake Festival. No public holiday for Singapore though.
The Pamelo are a common fruit used in celebrating the Mid Autumn festival. Called "U Zhi" in chinese, its represents the continous harmonious interaction of human relationships. Learn this from my mama but not too sure if I intepreted it correctly.
A board of Chinese chess? Its mini-mooncakes actually. Doesn't look too delicious when associated with that.
Beside the iconic underpass shelter, comes the red triangular booth used for the F1 race marketing campaign. No big crowd spotted but probably its still early afternoon.
The Orchard MRT (metro) station is located within Orchard ION.
The F1 fever is on. Racing car art exhibition @ Orchard ION.
Get into the F1 mood with your picture taken with the metallic race car.
It wasn't that busy in this part of the mall where you have time to pick your spot and angle for the best photoshoot with the artpiece.
Smaller replicas of the various race cars on display.
This car codenamed "Target" with a high heeled lady crafted on its front body.
This one with many lipstick marks on the body deservedly given the "PlayBoy" title.
"Democracy" or "Democracy kills" ? Not too sure which it means. This rugged looking vehicle looks to have survived a long gruelling battle with holes tattooed on its body. Maybe it symbolizes the battle for democracy.
Victory comes at a cost. Look at the tilted right wheel.
The two chinese words is pronounced as "Rong Yao" which means Honour. The cost of Victory in the pursuit of Honour...is it?
Looking at Victory from another angle. Notice the Heaven and Hell wordings on the wheel. Heaven = Victory & Honour and Hell = Tilted wheels & crumpled front body ?
XOXOXO. Looks in much better health than Victory. Did he came in last?
Democracy or Democracy kills - the bigger version.
Self confidence sucks? He doesn't like "haolian".
GO GO POWER RANGER!
This exhibition is called Pitor Sirat's Race Cars.
The full story.
Colourful snail-like looking creature with its championship crown.
Slow and steady win the race. Don't forget to take apples daily.
A security officer at the entrance of Orchard ION.
Weirdly dressed people about to enter the mall. He looks happy on the F1 weekend.
He's here to meet his kaki.
His kaki has many fans waiting to snap his picture including me. They brighten up the atmosphere though I'm not sure their real purpose for this dressing.
Dimly lited neon lightings on the ceilings gives it a disco feel on the escalator ride.
Food Opera. It is actually a foodcourt. Direct competitor to the Food Republic food chain in Wisma Atria. Both are high end foodcourt with higher food prices.
More crowd at Food Opera than the Racecar exhibition showed the real attraction for Singaporeans. Food.
The foodcourt looks more like a restaurant with its classy lightings and nice ambience. Sit wherever you want.
Here's another dining section of Food Opera.
Transparent chairs.
The wooden horse in Food Opera.
This is a real roasted pig though the shop name is called Modern Peking Duck.
The biggest Caramel roll in Singapore. Prices are steep based what is seen on the menu board.
Outside Food Opera are a host of food outlets selling Jap, Korean, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Italian, Western food,etc.
For chocolates & candies lovers, the Cocoa Tree is worth a visit due to its wide variety of products.
Singapore National Day celebration is over but this outdoor stall remains with its 2009 National Day deco.
As the F1 race arrives in the Lion City, the Mid-Autumn Festival drew close in a week time.
Red lanterns, foodstalls selling mooncakes and other items meant for the Mid-Autumn a.k.a Mooncake Festival. No public holiday for Singapore though.
The Pamelo are a common fruit used in celebrating the Mid Autumn festival. Called "U Zhi" in chinese, its represents the continous harmonious interaction of human relationships. Learn this from my mama but not too sure if I intepreted it correctly.
A board of Chinese chess? Its mini-mooncakes actually. Doesn't look too delicious when associated with that.
4 mooncakes in a beautiful gift box.
Michael Jackson set to return to Singapore next month but on a movie.
If you want to go topless, hop on the topless Hippo Bus along Orchard Road.
Amidst all the weekend leisure activities, our foreign workers worked at one corner to keep the city going.
Michael Jackson set to return to Singapore next month but on a movie.
If you want to go topless, hop on the topless Hippo Bus along Orchard Road.
Amidst all the weekend leisure activities, our foreign workers worked at one corner to keep the city going.
2) At Singapore Changi Airport
The smile from the Changi Airport security officer is even sweeter than the air stewardess. Hopefully not just for F1 weekend. Full credit to him.
The decoration is for the Hari Raya Festival. The Malay new year celebration is still on-going.
Creative recycle bins at the airport. Why not consider putting these creative bins in other parts of Singapore? It can definitely draw much attention to the recycling campaign.
While F1 crowd arrives in the Lion City, many are departing too to other places.
This little girl is going for a holiday, happily pulling her luggage.
Goodbye Singapore. See you again soon. Bon Voyage!
The decoration is for the Hari Raya Festival. The Malay new year celebration is still on-going.
Creative recycle bins at the airport. Why not consider putting these creative bins in other parts of Singapore? It can definitely draw much attention to the recycling campaign.
While F1 crowd arrives in the Lion City, many are departing too to other places.
This little girl is going for a holiday, happily pulling her luggage.
Goodbye Singapore. See you again soon. Bon Voyage!
3) Marsiling Market
On the F1 Sunday morning, the locals have their daily breakfast routine at a coffeeshop in Marsiling.
The usual crowd at the local market. Wonder if F1 was a topic here?
F1 or not, it never been on a higher priority than food.
A local salesman promoting his hardware to the crowd.
Shopping time at Marsiling Market.
The heartlands of Singapore.
Green Bananas for sale.
Fruits, Vegetables and Chillis on sale.
Electronic lantern toys for the kids as part of the Mid-Autumn festival.
A local salesman promoting his hardware to the crowd.
Shopping time at Marsiling Market.
The heartlands of Singapore.
Green Bananas for sale.
Fruits, Vegetables and Chillis on sale.
Electronic lantern toys for the kids as part of the Mid-Autumn festival.
4) Sembawang Home Town
The centre of Hope and its usual queue.
Evening leisure football action at Sembawang big field.
On Hari Raya visit on F1 evening with their family matching attire. Complements the surroundings very well too.
Before taking train for the F1 race, met this three chubby friends. There's a fourth one out of the camera range. Looks like quartlets.
5) Start of 2009 Formula One Experience @ Marina Bay, Singapore
My complimentary Bay Grandstand pass for this year Formula One GP final.
Marina Square. Not crowded as I would have expect, which is good.
Ferrari on display. Is she called Alice?
The Ferrari chasing crowd.
You can become an F1 driver with gaming simulations.
The F1 merchandise store @ Marina Square Shopping Centre.
Gate 7 entrance for the 2nd year running.
Expensive ear mufflers for sales. Her customers are mainly foreigners. Think cost around $60 but comes with built-in radio. The Army store at Transit Road sell big ear mufflers at $5 each and I got my earplugs there at $2.50.
All ready for the F1 action.
A young Ferrari fan
The merchandise store at the Bay Grandstand area.
F1 action needs good company. Food & drinks that is.
Brawn supporter with his flag and his Renault friend.
The street circuit staff dressed in full gears for F1 action.
Entering the Bay Grandstand arena. The Singapore CBD skyline displayed on the big screen monitor.
The fence and barricade of the Singapore F1 circuit.
The angmo crowd with the Singapore flyer in the background.
The local crowd with the Singapore flags & our Singapore flyer.
Huge number of female supporters in the Bay Grandstand crowd. Women love fast cars as much as men do.
The warm-up lap of the 2009 SGP Formula One GrandPrix Final before the start.
The crowd cheers as the race commence
The F1 final is ON. The cars are too fast for my camera. No choice but to use video mode.
Two horse race with the leader, Lewis Hamilton of McClaren team being tracked closely by the RED BULL car. The Toyota car and Alonso of Renault are the next pack behind but never pose a threat for the front two.
Many avid photographers at the Marina Bay on Sunday night.
They can't stop clicking for the first part of the race. 30mins later, they got bored. Same goes for me.
Switch my attention to the people in the crowd rather than the fast cars.
Live action from the big monitor screen keeps you posted of all happenings in the race circuit. Radio commentary is provided via big speakers at the venue as well.
The Pit Stop action continues on the live screen.
Mother and sons share common F1 interests.
He's got radio commentary right into his ears.
A jubilant fan as Lewis Hamilton leads the pack and race past the Bay Grandstand in a flash.
He got her excited as well. She joins the action. They're not acquainted but in McClaren/Lewis, they shared a common bond.
The crowds cheers out loud again as Lewis Hamilton McClaren car move past in his celebratory lap of honour after finishing 1st in the 2009 Singtel F1 GP final race.
I can't remember who is this fellow on the screen but likely to be Lewis Hamilton. All the limelight on him now.
The Ferrari team had a poor performance but their flags fly high.
Their fan spirits is skyhigh too. Guess its fashion or brand name to be associated with Ferrari.
A dress-up supporter texts the result live from the F1 arena.
All the giveaway Singapore mini flags end up on his head.
The lights at the Bay Grandstand circuit with the Singapore city skyline at the background. Refreshing look.
Vacant seats appearing after the race.
She's ready to leave - Home or Party?
Vacant seats appearing after the race.
She's ready to leave - Home or Party?
Everyone leave in an orderly manner - The Singapore way?
They gone onto the race tracks. How to get there?
For me, this is just the beginning of the real fun of attending an F1 race. Onto the circuit.
Not only for me but big crowd coming into the circuit. Its the road that we use daily but now becomes big attraction for these fans.
They are everywhere, all over the race circuit.
The command centre & pit-stop building of the 2008 & 2009 Singtel F1 GrandPrix.
The Marina Bay Circuit
A furry camera at work.
Signboard with diamonds looking LEDs. What is "SC" mean? Short circuit?
This is what we come to watch. The fast cars.
The night is off for all these super turbo engines.
Right now, they can't move without help from these folks.
They gone onto the race tracks. How to get there?
For me, this is just the beginning of the real fun of attending an F1 race. Onto the circuit.
Not only for me but big crowd coming into the circuit. Its the road that we use daily but now becomes big attraction for these fans.
They are everywhere, all over the race circuit.
The command centre & pit-stop building of the 2008 & 2009 Singtel F1 GrandPrix.
The Marina Bay Circuit
A furry camera at work.
Signboard with diamonds looking LEDs. What is "SC" mean? Short circuit?
This is what we come to watch. The fast cars.
The night is off for all these super turbo engines.
Right now, they can't move without help from these folks.
They're off to Japan next.
Nicely parked in rows.
Nicely parked in rows.
Tip-toeing for a look at the stars (cars & driver).
Looking down at the F1 crowd from the upper floor of the command centre building.
Picture picture picture...why so many photo desperados at this section?
Its Fernando Alonso giving an interview. The bloody I-phone that block Fernando's head from my camera. It covered in perfection the most vital part of the picture that I was shooting for.
Another try and got snippet of Alonso red's cap. Give up!
The Ferrari team pit-stop area
The drive-in to various teams at the Pit-stop
The Champion for this race. Lewis Hamilton of the McLaren team.
The champion tyres.
Renault team pit-stop area
Red Bull team pit-stop area
The fuel containers for the fast race. Wonder how many was used for the 2hours ++ race.
An on-going interview but strangely, nobody except me bother with photo-taking this time.
The crowd still lingers on the track an hour plus after the race.
Brazilians fans in green.
A UK fan in Singapore.
Botak Jones waving his flag.
The Ferrari fans are enjoying the race circuit walk more than the result.
World unites in Singapore.
Think this is a Polish flag for a F1 polish driver called Kubica. Why is Sprite on the banner? Sprite is a soda drink. Are they sponsor or is it Kubica fav drink?
The starting point of the race. Start at 18 for good luck.
The starting line drew many sprinting enthusiasts.
The Singapore F1 track
These orange protection cushion layers for the cars become objects of great interests on this night.
A classic example of what I just mention. This is my fav photo for this year event.
Beside racing, walking and running, some preferred jumping on the track.
Very serious photography work in progress.
Demostration on sleeping with the F1 track
A F1 staff helps out with photo-taking.
The TV crewman stop his van and take pictures of the crowd with his own camera.
She wanted Titanic on the F1 track.
She's just enjoying the post F1 mood.
Another shot at the long pit-stop area.
Security personnel at work.
Uniquely Singapore : Police security in line for phototaking on F1 track.
Post F1 : The empty stands but another race is about to begin
Here's come the bicycles.
The Ferrari logo on the big shipment case.
Mr Forklift racing to clear the logistic items.
Here's are the stats but with many parameters unknown to the layman.
Another forklift vehicle at work. Most are handled by angmos.
The lorry makes his appearance on the track and fans can't wait to snap pictures with it.
Another section of the race track. Or is it the divider for entrance to pit-stop?
A not so fast car approaches
A wow wow car on a normal day but on F1 day, this seems a "mun mun" car.
Very garang amgmo sitting on top of a racing lorry.
The Singapore Fire Brigade sent in their representative for the post F1 race. Cheong ah...
Not sure if this is the safety car that has seen action earlier in the race.
The Singapore Traffic Police motorbikes make its appearance.
The Ambulance make his way on the track while two fans pose for pictures.
The Special Command Ops team is out onto the track with 4 vehicles.
Crane Vehicles on the track..
Brawn staff with a weapon.
He started the firing on the ground.
Splash...Plash. Si mi lai a?
The silence falls on the track after a noisy nightout at Marina Bay.
The three tall buildings of the upcoming Marina Sands Integrated Resorts looks set to join next year F1 race when it opens.
Going home via the race circuit route.
Looking down at the F1 crowd from the upper floor of the command centre building.
Picture picture picture...why so many photo desperados at this section?
Its Fernando Alonso giving an interview. The bloody I-phone that block Fernando's head from my camera. It covered in perfection the most vital part of the picture that I was shooting for.
Another try and got snippet of Alonso red's cap. Give up!
The Ferrari team pit-stop area
The drive-in to various teams at the Pit-stop
The Champion for this race. Lewis Hamilton of the McLaren team.
The champion tyres.
Renault team pit-stop area
Red Bull team pit-stop area
The fuel containers for the fast race. Wonder how many was used for the 2hours ++ race.
An on-going interview but strangely, nobody except me bother with photo-taking this time.
The crowd still lingers on the track an hour plus after the race.
Brazilians fans in green.
A UK fan in Singapore.
Botak Jones waving his flag.
The Ferrari fans are enjoying the race circuit walk more than the result.
World unites in Singapore.
Think this is a Polish flag for a F1 polish driver called Kubica. Why is Sprite on the banner? Sprite is a soda drink. Are they sponsor or is it Kubica fav drink?
The starting point of the race. Start at 18 for good luck.
The starting line drew many sprinting enthusiasts.
The Singapore F1 track
These orange protection cushion layers for the cars become objects of great interests on this night.
A classic example of what I just mention. This is my fav photo for this year event.
Beside racing, walking and running, some preferred jumping on the track.
Very serious photography work in progress.
Demostration on sleeping with the F1 track
A F1 staff helps out with photo-taking.
The TV crewman stop his van and take pictures of the crowd with his own camera.
She wanted Titanic on the F1 track.
She's just enjoying the post F1 mood.
Another shot at the long pit-stop area.
Security personnel at work.
Uniquely Singapore : Police security in line for phototaking on F1 track.
Post F1 : The empty stands but another race is about to begin
Here's come the bicycles.
The Ferrari logo on the big shipment case.
Mr Forklift racing to clear the logistic items.
Here's are the stats but with many parameters unknown to the layman.
Another forklift vehicle at work. Most are handled by angmos.
The lorry makes his appearance on the track and fans can't wait to snap pictures with it.
Another section of the race track. Or is it the divider for entrance to pit-stop?
A not so fast car approaches
A wow wow car on a normal day but on F1 day, this seems a "mun mun" car.
Very garang amgmo sitting on top of a racing lorry.
The Singapore Fire Brigade sent in their representative for the post F1 race. Cheong ah...
Not sure if this is the safety car that has seen action earlier in the race.
The Singapore Traffic Police motorbikes make its appearance.
The Ambulance make his way on the track while two fans pose for pictures.
The Special Command Ops team is out onto the track with 4 vehicles.
Crane Vehicles on the track..
Brawn staff with a weapon.
He started the firing on the ground.
Splash...Plash. Si mi lai a?
The silence falls on the track after a noisy nightout at Marina Bay.
The three tall buildings of the upcoming Marina Sands Integrated Resorts looks set to join next year F1 race when it opens.
Going home via the race circuit route.
Finally a snapshot at the F1 signboard.
The students ushers after a long day awaiting debrief.
Home bound fans
A very warm rowdy exit from this year F1 race. Courtesy of the student ushers.
A congestion free City Hall MRT station make it a pleasant trip home for the fans.
A very warm rowdy exit from this year F1 race. Courtesy of the student ushers.
A congestion free City Hall MRT station make it a pleasant trip home for the fans.
