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Singapore has been hit with wildfire smoke described as “unhealthy” just days before the city-state’s flagship sports event: the Singapore Grand Prix.
The south-east Asian nation has hosted the original Formula 1 night race, which takes place on a tightly configured street circuit in and around Marina Bay, since 2008.
Yet wildfires in neighbouring Indonesia, across regions such as Sumatra and Kalimantan, have resulted in a distinctive haze across Singapore in recent days, with skyscrapers shrouded in murky fog amid a “super El Niño” in the region.
On Tuesday, Singapore’s National Environment Agency declared the air quality levels “unhealthy” – just as F1 drivers and personnel arrive from nearby Malaysia.
The FIA (the sport’s governing body) insists it has “no concerns” about visibility issues and an F1 spokesperson added: “There is absolutely no risk to the event and the conditions where the event is taking place are not at any level of concern.”
The FIA did add, though, that there “is contingency” in place with the potential for “some restrictions on outdoor activity”, though that would likely not extend to racing action but rather entertainment activities for fans attending the race.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit hosts the Singapore Grand Prix (Getty)
Rain could also provide much-needed relief for the event – which is also hosting a sprint race for the first time – with showers forecast on Friday and Saturday afternoon.
Organisers of the grand prix are monitoring the situation with relevant agencies and masks could be made available to spectators, with around 300,000 expected over the course of the three days.
The situation adds another complex layer to a race which is the most physically demanding of the season for the drivers, given the intense nature and high humidity levels.
Kimi Antonelli heads into round 17 with an 84-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell in the race for the world championship.
