2008 FORMULA 1™ SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

Singapore Telecommunications Limited have been named as title sponsor for next year’s inaugural race in Singapore. The event will be officially known as the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore will hold the first ever Formula One night race next year after the Federation International de L'Automobile (FIA), the sport's governing body, gave the go-ahead, the race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd said Thursday.

The inaugural Formula One Singapore Grand Prix will be held on September 28 next year on a street circuit of public roads around the city-state's Marina Bay area surrounded by skyscrapers and colonial buildings.

It is also Asia's first street race, Singapore GP said. Neighbouring Malaysia hosts a grand prix on a permanent circuit, as do China and Japan.

Singapore formally began construction of its Formula One Grand Prix facilities on August 31 with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new pit building.

The facility along Singapore's waterfront will hold 36 garages for 12 racing teams on the ground floor.

Race organisers said the 5.05-kilometre (3.13-mile) street route would offer 'a number of overtaking opportunities, fast turns and technically challenging sections.'

Singapore's skyline view - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Motorshots Singapore's skyline view - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Street view, Arab street area Singapore - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Motorshots Street view, Arab street area Singapore - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Boat quay, a vibrant night life area favoured by locals and tourist - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Motorshots Boat quay, a vibrant night life area favoured by locals and tourist - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Street life - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Motorshots Street life - Free picture by Motorshots Pte Ltd
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race the cars will pass the bridge over the Singapore river before turning at the Singapore cricket club
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race the cars will pass the bridge over the Singapore river before turning at the Singapore cricket club
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race where sits, in front of the Padang, sits the building of the High Court of Justice
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race where sits, in front of the Padang, sits the building of the High Court of Justice
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race the Singapore Croiket Club
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race the Singapore Croiket Club
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race will pass in front of the Victoria theater , a part of Singapore's colonial heritage
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race will pass in front of the Victoria theater , a part of Singapore"s colonial heritage
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race with Suntec ConferenceCentre, shopping mall and office building
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race with Suntec ConferenceCentre, shopping mall and office building
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race will turn in front of the Raffles Hotel built by the Sarkie's brothers at the end of the 19th century.
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race will turn in front of the Raffles Hotel built by the Sarkie's brothers at the end of the 19th century.
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race - picture of Singapore's Merlion in front of the CBD (Central Business District)
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race - picture of Singapore's Merlion in front of the CBD (Central Business District)
Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race passes around the Esplanade (also nicknamed the durian building) Singapore's art centre
Motorshots Image of the Singapore race track - Singtel Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore September 2008 night race passes around the Esplanade (also nicknamed the durian building) Singapore's art centre