Singapore’s F1 pit building to be used as Covid-19 facility

The pit building at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore is to be used as a temporary facility to treat Covid-19 patients.

Singapore is currently encountering a rise in case numbers, and has extended restrictions on social interactions, though more than 80 per cent of its citizens have been vaccinated.

Formula 1 raced in Singapore from 2008 through 2019, with the city holding the championship’s first night race, but has not visited since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The event is currently out of contract but has been listed as the 18th round on next year’s calendar, on October 2, subject to a commercial agreement being reached.

The large pit building, which is typically home to the paddock club, other hospitality units and the media centre, will be utilised to help deal with the rise in cases.

“The Government has been exploring venues that can be used as temporary COVID-19 community care facilities and community treatment facilities,” read a statement supplied by Singapore Tourism Board’s Director of Sports Ong Ling Lee.

“The F1 pit building has been identified as a suitable temporary venue as it has ready facilities and is not used for F1 race activities this year.

“In 2020, the F1 pit building was also used as a temporary COVID-19 swab test facility.”

Other Formula 1 venues were utilised for medical assistance during the early stages of the pandemic, including Monza, and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, venue for this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.