The Singapore Grand Prix is one event on the Formula 1 calendar that has offered no shortage of thrills since its inception, and its latest edition continued that tradition.

Held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit from 15 to 17 September, the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 saw Scuderia Ferrari's Carlos Sainz race to his first-ever victory in the Lion City and the second overall first-place finish in his career after securing pole position during the qualifying session. The feat ended Red Bull Racing's 2023 winning streak, being the first non-Red Bull driver to win a race this season.

Following the race's dramatic final moments, during which Mercedes' George Russell crashed out of third place, McLaren's Lando Norris and seven-time F1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, joined Sainz on the podium in second and third places respectively.

While there was plenty of high-octane on-track action to keep the Singapore Grand Prix's 264,108 entertained over the weekend, there were also many sights and sounds to take in and things to do around the Circuit Park. From exhilarating music performances to fun activities to get lost in, there was something for every guest.

Here are four off-track highlights that made this year's Singapore Grand Prix one to remember.

A revved-up crowd

As stunning as the Marina Bay Street Circuit is, it just isn't the same without the legions of racing enthusiasts that populate it during the race weekend each year. 

Donning the colours of their favourite F1 teams, such as the dark blue of Red Bull Racing and the bright red of Scuderia Ferrari, they could be spotted soaking in the race weekend atmosphere across the various zones of the Circuit Park. 

Those hoping to get as close to the on-track action as possible squeezed onto viewing platforms and positioned themselves at obstruction-free sections of the park with their phones and cameras in their hands. 

There were also those who opted to tune in to the race via screens of different sizes at concert and dining areas as the roars of Formula 1 car engines echoed around the Circuit Park. In particular, the guests that had gathered at the Garage on Sunday night could be seen joyously dancing to 'Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...)' and 'La Bamba' while enjoying the race, completely unbothered that Monday was fast approaching.

Fun and games

Guests who were seeking a respite from jostling with the crowd or looking for a way to spend their free time in between on-track events found themselves spoilt for choice at this year's Singapore Grand Prix. 

As with last year's event, the popular F1 Racing Simulator gave racing fans — drivers or not — a taste of what it is like to speed through the Marina Bay Street Circuit as a Formula One driver. There were also arcade-like game booths at which guests could put their reflexes to the test by catching falling objects and hitting pods on a wall. 

Outside of the games that were offered, the inclusion of tattoo booths meant that racing fans could express their love for their favourite sport by getting temporary Formula One-themed tattoos on their bodies. And if you wished to declare your allegiance to a particular driver, there was an option to have his name tattooed on your skin.

A feast for the eyes and ears

With a slew of performances for guests to choose from across all three days, the Singapore Grand Prix once again became an intersection point of motor racing and live entertainment in 2023. 

Making history at the Padang on Friday was 88rising, which became the first collective to take over the performance venue since the introduction of the Formula One iteration of the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008. Featuring diverse performances from artists such as Hong Kong-born rapper, singer-songwriter, and dancer Jackson Wang, Indonesian rapper Rich Brian, Indonesian singer-songwriter NIKI, Japanese girl group XG, Thai hip-hop act MILLI, and more, 88rising Presents was a breathtaking showcase of some of the brightest names that the region of Asia currently has to offer.

At Kings of Leon's performances at Zone 4's Padang on Saturday and Zone 1's The Wharf on Sunday, the spellbinding sounds of the American rockers' guitars and frontman Caleb Followill's distinctive vocals filled the air. While the lesser-known inclusions on the four-piece outfit's sets made for great numbers to groove along to hits such as 'Use Somebody' and 'Sex on Fire' instantly energised concert-goers, who belted out the tracks' lyrics with hands aloft.

American rapper and singer Post Malone's headlining show at the Padang after Saturday's qualifying session was, without a doubt, one of the biggest performance highlights of this year's event. The 28-year-old was an embodiment of positivity and wholesomeness as he delighted fans with energy-filled live renditions of songs such as 'Better Now', 'Wrapped Around Your Finger', and 'Sunflower'. He also made a young fan's day by running towards him and giving him a warm hug.

"It doesn't matter what you want to be in this world. Do it the best you can and do it the hardest you can. And don't let anybody stop you from living your f****ing dream, and just keep being f****ing amazing," he told the crowd, apologising for swearing right after.

Also heard at this year's event were the dance-inducing music of English new wave band Culture Club and the electronic beats of UK-based duo Groove Armada.

Besides hosting a number of live concerts, the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix was a gathering of performing artists and groups from around the world. From the luminous light twirling displays of Brylights to the colourful costumes of dance troupe, Brazilian Fantasy, there was much to feast one's eyes on while moving around the Circuit Park.

A trip through time with Robbie Williams

After the chequered flag was waved and Sainz celebrated his triumph in Singapore, all eyes were turned to the Padang for the weekend's grand finale. Sustaining the energy levels of a crowd after a thrilling race is no mean feat, but if there's anyone who can pull it off, it's Robbie Williams.

Appearing on stage in a glittery outfit, the English singer-songwriter immediately commanded the attention of the gargantuan crowd that had gathered at the Padang as he sang his opening number, 'Hey Wow Yeah Yeah'. The only thing you can do is be in awe when you are in the presence of a superstar, and that was exactly what concert-goers did.

After an explosive opening, Williams took the crowd back to 1990, the year he debuted as a member of Take That. From then on, the show became a retelling of the "highest highs" and the "lowest lows" of the 'Angels' singer's 33-year career, complete with side-splitting narration from Williams himself. 

When he was not recounting his journey using the nostalgic 'Back for Good' and 'Strong' or the soulful 'Feel', Williams kept the crowd engaged by bantering with them. Bearing the brunt of his teasing was a concert-goer named Stewart, who seemed to be clueless about Williams' music when questioned about it. Eliciting much laughter whenever they occurred, the comical exchanges between the two soon became as entertaining as William's musical performances. 

If you asked Williams what his secret to being a great performer is, he would probably tell you what he told the Singapore crowd: "The number one rule of entertaining is that you must love your audience."

The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2024 will be held from 20 to 22 September 2024. Early bird tickets will go on sale from 26 September via Singapore GP's official website.