The motorsport’s night race is also taking steps to install more energy-efficient lighting across the track. 

Singapore GP Pte Ltd and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) are aiming to make the Singapore Grand Prix one of the most environmentally sustainable street circuits on the race calendar. 

This includes initiatives such as cleaner energy, going digital for greater resource efficiency, improving waste management and reducing single-use plastics. STB appointed low-carbon energy services provider ENGIE South East Asia to install some 1,396 solar panels to the F1 Pit Building. 

The solar panels are expected to generate 803,155 kWh or energy in a year, which could power the F1 Pit Building for an entire race month. This includes providing power for the Formula 1 Paddock Club suites, Race Control Room, Media Centre, garages, and the administrative offices. Excess solar energy will be sold to the grid to offset the facility’s utility costs. 

Ong Ling Lee, Executive Director, Sports and Wellness, STB, said: “We are thrilled that the F1 Pit Building can now be powered by renewable energy. This is an important milestone because it will reduce the carbon footprint of the race, as well as all other events that use the F1 Pit Building beyond the race period. Sustainability is a key priority for the Singapore race, and we will continue to work with Singapore GP and our partners to make our race more sustainable.”

Work is also underway to install a more energy-efficient track lighting system for the remainder of the term until 2028. The metal-halide projectors that have been in operation since 2008 will be fully replaced by LED track lights to illuminate the 4.928km-long street circuit. 

The upgraded LEDs have been supplied by DZE Asia in collaboration with Signify Singapore and will require 30% less power per fitting than previous bulbs. The new lights will not require any warm-up time to reach full luminance, saving time and energy.

The new ArenaVision LED floodlights are also designed to provide optimal lighting conditions for drivers, fans, media and broadcasters. The lights will feature a higher colour temperature of 5,700k, providing visual clarity, effective heat management and long lifespan.

Sasha Rafi, Director of Sustainability for Singapore GP, added: “We are excited to kick off our sustainability efforts for the new term and we look forward to drive change at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. More initiatives are currently being planned for the night race, and we will be announcing these, as well as the results of our carbon footprint report from last year’s event in the coming weeks.”

The metal-halide lights will be given new life through recycled art. DZ Engineering and Dino Soli Foundation are set to organise an art exhibition featuring the creations, which will promote a more sustainable future, later this year.

The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix weekend will take place September 15–17.

Image: Bing Hui Yau on Unsplash