Marina Bay Street Circuit Undergoes Major Transformation for Singapore Grand Prix 2023

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is gearing up for a temporary makeover in preparation for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. This transformation is driven by the ongoing redevelopment work at The Float area of Marina Bay, which is poised to become a vibrant entertainment hub.

The impending development and the emergence of a new entertainment and stage zone in the Marina Bay region necessitate a substantial revision of the circuit’s layout. Specifically, the section of the circuit spanning from Turns 16 to 19 will be off-limits for the upcoming year. The construction of what will soon be known as ‘NS Square’ commenced back in March. Consequently, the circuit will notably miss the iconic grandstand area during the race.

Instead, competitors will navigate a high-speed segment after negotiating the challenging Turn 14 right-hander, leading into a fresh straight that spans an impressive 379.3 meters. This stretch will seamlessly link Turn 15 to a newly conceived tight Turn 16. However, it’s important to note that these changes are more than just cosmetic; they have significant performance implications.

Initial analyses indicate a substantial reduction in lap times, with expectations of them plummeting dramatically to 1m27.7 seconds. To put this into perspective, Charles Leclerc’s pole position at the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix clocked in at 1m49.412s. This indicates a potentially thrilling increase in pace for the upcoming race.

Furthermore, the alterations will also impact the race’s overall dynamics. With the trimmed track length measuring 4.928 kilometers, the total number of laps in the race will increase to 63, up from the current 61 laps.

Looking ahead to the future beyond 2023, fans can anticipate a return to the classic track layout. Once the NS Square development is complete, the 2024 racing season is likely to reintroduce the familiar circuit stretch that has become synonymous with the Singapore Grand Prix.