F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Debutant Piastri eager to face tough Marina Bay circuit

SINGAPORE — Oscar Piastri was just seven years old when Singapore held its first Formula One night race back in 2008. This coming Sunday (17 September), he will be racing in an eye-catching McLaren car around Marina Bay for the first time in his career.

The 22-year-old Australian, currently in his first season as an F1 race driver, has heard it all about how challenging the Marina Bay street circuit is, and cannot wait to find out how he will fare under the bright night lights.

"Oh I'm really looking forward to a lot of things," Piastri said during a media event by McLaren and partnering Web3 technology company OKX at Fullerton Bay Hotel on Wednesday.

"It's a difficult street circuit, it's at night, the weather's very hot, and there may be other weather conditions that may happen. It's a perfect mix of chaos, really.

"I've heard for years how difficult the race, I've tried to prepare as best as I can for this weekend, and I can't wait to get out there."

Piastri's McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, has raced twice on the Singapore circuit, and came in a respectable fourth last year.

The 23-year-old Briton is sure that his debuting teammate will love the circuit, as he gushed, "It's one of the coolest tracks to race in - all the curbs and the bumps, it's just a very fun track to drive. I'm sure Oscar's going to love it.

"But it's tough, it drains you both physically and mentally. You make one mistake, and you're hitting the walls. I think I've lost up to three kilos last year, so I looked a lot fitter when I came out after the race."

Stealth Mode livery design to make debut at Singapore GP

Piastri and Norris will be driving McLaren cars with a sleek Stealth Mode livery, co-designed by the British F1 team and OKX, and to be carried in both the Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix in the next two weeks.

The design, which was unveiled at the Fullerton Bay Hotel event, will switch McLaren’s livery colours, augmenting black against the team’s classic papaya-colour trim. The result is a stunning combination of elegance and sleekness that will make heads turn as the cars hurtle along Marina Bay this weekend.

"Success on the track, and in the Web3 world, is only possible through teamwork, creativity and innovation. Stealth Mode is inspired by these common principles," said OKX's chief marketing officer Haider Rafique.

"It’s also a way for us to celebrate the return of F1 to the Asia Pacific region, which is the epicentre of Web3 in many ways."

So does Piastri rate his debut F1 season as a success?

"I'll give myself an eight out of 10," he quipped. "There have been some good moments, and there were a few mistakes that made me wished I could have those moments back again. But there has been a lot for me to learn through the year, and I think I've done a reasonable job at that."

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