1 600 floodlights and a stunning backdrop - F1's original night race returns after hiatus

• Singapore will host another Formula 1 race this weekend - the first time since 2019.
• The race entered F1 in 2008 and was won by Renault's Fernando Alonso.
• Sebastian Vettel won five races around the Marina Bay Circuit, more than any other driver.

Singapore first hosted a Formula 1 race in 2008. That year, 1 600 custom floodlights were positioned around the 5.063km street circuit, making the track four times brighter than a rugby game at your favourite stadium. It was impressive and continued to impress over the next 11 years.

In 2020 and 2021, Covid-19 prevented the F1 Circus from visiting this Asian destination, but its return to the F1 calendar is imminent as the country will host its 13th race around the Marina Bay Circuit.

The race is run over 61 laps for a total race distance of 308.706km. In 2018, Kevin Magnussen, driving his Haas, set the race lap record: 1:41.905. Though this year's cars could prove trickier to drive around the Singapore streets, an improvement on the lap record should not be discounted when Sunday's race comes around.

What you should know

The city of Singapore's skyline acts as the race's backdrop. Under the night sky, and with the floodlights beaming at full capacity, it creates one of the most unique themes across the entire F1 season. Herman Tilke, a longtime designer of F1 racetracks, penned the plan for the initial circuit.

The circuit's 23 corners pose an inimitable challenge to the drivers, and they can lose up to 3kg in the race's two-hour running time.

When the race debuted in 2008, it was Ferrari's Felipe Massa who looked poised to secure the victory. However, drama on Lap 12 saw him exit his pit box with the fuel hose still firmly attached to his car, relegating him to 13th when the chequered flag dropped.

READ: F1 Gold | How a stuck fuel pipe dashed Felipe Massa's 2008 championship hopes

Renault's Fernando Alonso sealed the victory in that race, but it didn't come without controversy after teammate Nelson Piquet crashed (Lap 12) at a section of the track where it's difficult to recover stricken cars from.

Over the next decade, Sebastian Vettel won five races in Singapore (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019), followed by Lewis Hamilton with four. Sadly, Vettel's 2019 win in Ferrari colours was also his last in F1.

Alpine's Esteban Ocon is not too excited about the Singapore GP, citing the track's bumpy nature could be a real challenge for the new generation of F1 cars.

"It's going to be very bumpy," said Ocon.

"A big challenge, I think, for us, very physical. I love Singapore. But the track itself is not my favourite. They (F1 cars) are go-karts on kerbs; it's going to be a tricky one. It's not going to be fun. But we're up for the challenge. And I think it's going to be interesting also to see who chooses what, in terms of set-up. If you go for the car that rides well or the car that has grip."

"I think Canada has been pretty bad, but probably it (the Marina Bay Circuit) will be one of the worst ones. It always is. It's not news."