2025 F1 Singapore Grand Prix: The biggest highlights on and off the track

The 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix was a weekend where speed met spectacle — and it didn’t disappoint. With 300,641 fans turning up (an 11.7% increase from 2024), the atmosphere around the Marina Bay Street Circuit was nothing short of electric. 

The race on Sunday itself kept everyone on their toes, with George Russell taking home an unexpected win on the podium, a title that was previously won by Lando Norris in the previous year. Aside from all the race action, the stage at the Padang was also packed with crowds who flocked to the stage to catch international headliners like CL, G-Dragon and Elton John perform live right before their eyes.

In case you missed out on some of the action during the race weekend, we’ve got you covered. From the races to crowd-favourite acts, we break down some of the highlights from the 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

Day 1

The energy on Day 1 was electric as fans from all over the world gathered at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the first official day of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. Some came for the high-speed action on track, while others were there for the star-studded performances — including CL and G-Dragon.

The former took the Padang Stage at 7.45 PM on Friday, 3 October, opening her set with her iconic hit The Baddest Female, followed by crowd favourites like 2NE1’s I AM THE BEST, which she performed solo. This marked her first-ever appearance at a Formula 1 event — a true moment for the books. During her set, CL shared that she hopes to release new music the next time she returns to meet her fans in Singapore, while hyping up the crowd for G-Dragon’s highly anticipated performance later that night.

After CL’s performance, the crowd lingered around the Padang, catching the second Practice session of the night. Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets, followed by Isack Hadjar in second and Max Verstappen in third. The session wasn’t short of drama either — two red flags halted the action, and there was even light contact between Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc in the pit lane.

By 10 PM, anticipation was at an all-time high. Although G-Dragon’s set, scheduled for 10:10 PM, was delayed by about 20 minutes, the crowd’s energy stayed strong as Kingmck took over the decks with a killer playlist that kept spirits high. When G-Dragon finally hit the stage, his presence was nothing short of magnetic. He opened with his latest track, Power — an aptly titled introduction to a high-energy set that featured a mix of old and new hits, including Crooked, Take Me, and even a surprise rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us.

Day 2

Kicking things off with entertainment, The Naked and Famous brought the heat when they performed at the Wharf Stage over at Zone 1, setting the tone for an adrenaline-charged day ahead.

Afterwards, the drivers took to the tracks where they did their final practice session before the qualifying session later on in the evening. During the final practice session, Verstappen went fastest, followed by a close fight with Oscar Piastri and then George Russell. 

Then, right before qualifying started, attendees gathered at the Padang Stage over at Zone 4 at 7.15PM to catch world-renowned DJ Alan Walker helm the decks. But what surprised fans during his performance wasn’t just his signature mixes, but the real surprise came when 19-year-old Indonesian singer-songwriter Putri Ariani joined him on stage. Her powerful vocals and emotional delivery left the audience spellbound. The visually impaired artist first rose to fame after winning Indonesia’s Got Talent in 2014, later capturing international attention on America’s Got Talent 2023. Earlier this year, she also collaborated with Walker on their hit track, Hero. 

After that, when qualifying kicked off, fans were on the edge of their seats as their favourite drivers went head-to-head for pole position. In a thrilling twist, George Russell clinched the top spot, beating Verstappen and Piastri to secure a strong start for race day on Sunday.

To celebrate, fans returned to the Padang stage where the Foo Fighters took centre stage and closed the night with a roaring rock performance — ending the day on an unforgettable high.

Day 3

Race day was buzzing with energy from start to finish. From the grid to the stages, attendees dashed between zones, eager not to miss a single moment of the action. Over at Zone 1, crowds streamed in early to catch English indie rock band The Wombats light up the Wharf Stage with hits like “Greek Tragedy” and fan-favourite “Turn,” getting everyone dancing along to their infectious beats.

Meanwhile, at the Padang Stage, Lewis Capaldi took to the mic and delivered a soulful set featuring crowd-pleasers like “Someone You Loved” and “Before You Go.” Midway through his performance, the skies opened up — a fitting backdrop for his heart-wrenching ballads as fans swayed under the rain, fully immersed in the moment.

Out on the track, excitement built as the drivers made their parade lap, waving to cheering fans from their convoy of cars, a final calm before the storm of the main race. 

Soon, the race was underway and it was a thrilling one from start to finish. With several close calls and daring overtakes keeping fans on edge, George Russell ultimately emerged victorious, claiming a well-deserved win after 62 intense laps. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris battled it out for second place, with Verstappen narrowly taking the spot in a nail-biting finish.

Rounding off the celebrations, racegoers gathered at the Padang for one final, show-stopping performance by none other than Elton John himself. The music legend took to the stage before one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, closing the three-day spectacle on a truly unforgettable note.