Sell-out crowd of more than 269,000 fans at Grand Prix

Turnout bigger than that of 2023 race as fans soak in action on and off the track

- Kimberly Kwek

Heavy rainfall brought about by a Sumatra squall toppled trees around Singapore earlier in the week, but it did little to dampen the mood and enthusiasm of motorsports fans who flocked to the Sept 20-22 Marina Bay Street Circuit for Formula One's iconic night race.

In its 15th edition, the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix continued to be a top draw as it attracted a sell-out crowd of 269,072 fans over the three-day race weekend. The turnout was bigger than that of the 2023 race, which drew a near sell-out crowd of 264,108.

The record attendance for the night race was 302,000 in 2022, before the route was amended to omit the Float @ Marina Bay, which made way for the construction of NS Square. The Bay grandstand could seat 27,000.

Much was at stake in this season's Singapore event, with the fight for the drivers' and constructors' championships closer than they were in recent campaigns, which were dominated by Red Bull and their main man Max Verstappen.

Current championship leaders McLaren continued to make a charge for both titles in Singapore, with their British driver Lando Norris winning the Sept 22 race after claiming pole in qualifying a day earlier while teammate Oscar Piastri finished third.

Having become the 10th pole sitter to win the Singapore race in 15 editions, Norris also piled pressure on drivers' championship leader and three-time world champion Verstappen, who placed second at Marina Bay.