Catching the action at 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore’s city roads were converted into a street circuit once again for the Formula One Grand Prix. This was the first year Singapore Airlines was going to be the title sponsor of the night race, so I was quite excited to be in the thick of the action. And oh boy, what a fab view I had :)

Let the races begin!

You could see how excited I was about the races this year, cos’ I reached the venue at 3.30pm to be in time for the first race. So why not pop by the Singapore Airlines booth while waiting for the race to start?

Another reason to excited – I am going to see Robbie Williams! Woot woot!
Fate would have it rain lions and tigers (worse than cats and dogs) just when the concert was about to start that night. Robbie, ever the true star, went on performing as if the rain didn’t exist. I didn’t manage to get any photos of oh-so-cute Robbie, but I will never forget that night where he shone like a shimmering star amidst the rain. I would have thrown my underwear up if I were anywhere near the stage :p

Yet another reason for my excitement – it’s the first time I brought a 300mm f2.8 lens to shoot the races and practice some sports photography :)

Earl Bamber from LKM Racing, winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

And the last reason for the excitement – I get to watch the race from the Club Suites :)

I must say sipping champagne while watching the races is quite addictive :p

Quite an adrenalin rush to see the drivers and the team in action

Fernando Alonso getting ready

This driver is amazing – he can still manage to raise a hand to wave at the crowd!

Trying panning action…one advantage about shooting from the Club Suite – it’s comfy and you do not need to squeeze on an open viewing platform with many sweaty bodies. The disadvantage – no matter how big your lens aperture is, the fencing just refuses to disappear cos’ you are too far away. Duh.

Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone and President Tony Tan

President Tony Tan flagged away a troupe of 25 Ferrari road cars in the President’s Challenge, a series of parade laps by Ferrari owners who each made a contribution to the President’s Charity in return for the thrill of driving on the F1 track. Anybody needs a partner?

Apart from the races, there were some cool entertainment acts to be caught at the various zones.

Guess who we were catching at the Village Stage?

Pet Shop Boys! My friend remarked that the average age of the audience was about 40, so I am going to pretend “Huh, who are they? I don’t know them!” LOL :p (Btw, I am not that old okay haha)

I may not own a Ferrari, but we got to walk on the race track after the races ended. :)

I had a fab time! Looking forward to be back next year! :)

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Glamming it up at Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge

What better way to toast to a successful Singapore Formula One Grand Prix than with a Singapore Soda (made up of  Johnnie Walker Black Label, soda and pandan leaf essence) at the inaugural Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge Party?

The Singapore Grand Prix (F1) took place this weekend, and I went to one of the hottest F1 parties in town thrown by Johnnie Walker, partner of the Vodafone Mercedes McLaren F1 team. Their party invites are as hard to come by as an Hermes Birkin, so I was full of anticipation about the event which was held at the Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay.

Formerly known as Johnnie Walker Jet Black, the party has transformed into a regional party series called the Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge, with Singapore being the first city to launch it.  The night was filled with fabulous music by acclaimed DJs like DJ Clinton Sparks, DJ Disco Fries, DJ Ray Ray and DJ Dave Does. I was particularly looking forward to the Flavour Lab experimental bar, which made its debut at the Circuit Lounge with a selection of unique and evocative serves concocted by winning bartenders from the acclaimed Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS program.

Johnnie Walker Circuit Lounge Party
When Johnnie Walker throws a party, they pull out all the stops for a fantastic experience to be remembered. If you do lay hands on an invite, just GO.

Arriving in style – another opportunity to wear my outfits, yay!

Will I get to see any F1 drivers?

The experience right from the start was fantastic. Even the bartenders seemed to be having fun, really a joy to see people enjoying themselves at work!

JW’s experimental bar Flavour Lab, presented by Diego Reserve WORLD CLASS, was introduced for the first time in Singapore, offering whisky fans a chance to sample new and evocative serves of Johnnie Walker’s signature flavours. To celebrate Singapore and the Grand Prix, a series of Asian-inspired JW cocktails were created for the Circuit Lounge parties. I tasted three that night – Singapore Soda, Walker Colada and Johnnie Yuzu Sour. I wonder what other flavours there are…how about a Milo Walker, or Johnnie Bandung? heh.Seen here is Manabu Ohtake, Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2011 displaying his skills. Watching him concoct drinks was such a performance, I half expected him to pull a rabbit out of his apron…kanpai!

My fave of the three cocktails – Walker Colada

Johnnie Yuzu Sour, which is a twist on the classic Whisky Sour consists of:
45ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, 10ml Archers Peach Schnapps, 30ml yuzu juice, & Muddled lemongrass

Darren wasted no time in toasting, cheers!

Happy to see my friends Bobby and Ritz of The Butter Factory at the party, they are indisputably the coolest party duo in town. I want Bobby’s hat, neighhhhh!

Me and the very sweet Claire

One of the coolest features at Johnnie Walker’s Circuit Lounge parties are the RFID-enabled photo booths where guests can ‘step inside’ the glamorous world of the F1 via various photo scenes, and photos taken are instantly uploaded onto their Facebook accounts through a simple swipe of their invite pass. Being part tech geek and part cam whore, this has always fascinated me.

A partygoer at the photo booth.
Inset: what the photo looks like. You can have all the hottest babes you want, and your Facebook friends can drool about it instantly too.

Here’e my and Darren‘s version of F1 glam-dom. I just realised the JW bottle is rather strategically placed. hmmm.

Guests made  a pledge to Never Drink and Drive via this new photo booth. You get a light wand to sign your names on the  screen. Takes a steady hand to do it,  but once you get the hang of it, it’s really fun! Great way to motivate people to sign on the meaningful pact.

Darren and I made ours too!

Look of the Day
Black fur cropped jacket: From Hong Kong
Gold crochet top: vintage
Gold choker and earrings: Chanel
Leather Harness: Zana Bayne
Lace skirt: Comme des Garcons
Diamante cat ears hairband: From Korea (meow!)
Fur clutch: Maison Martin Margiela

Darren’s art direction – Strike a pose (puuuuuke)

Look of the Day
Ribbon Ring: Forever21
Gold studded bracelet: From Taiwan
Shambala bracelets: Tresor Paris
Watch: Hublot Big Bang

Ponyhair wooden clogs with fur: From Hong Kong

At the stroke of midnight, the party action started revving up

Coming up with all the right party liners

DJ Clinton Sparks – This guy is kickass!

Darren and the gang attempting the Gangnam style dance  – hilarious!

After  three glasses, this is what you get – a bunch of happy loonies!

Picture time!

Cheers!

A few more glasses later, I got myself a new gorilla pet! I never leave home for a party without Darren. He’s loads of fun and very sporting, and makes every event very memorable for me.

We retired our tired selves close to 3.30am, though it felt like only an F1 second. Guess that’s the magic of a Johnnie Walker party. Woo hoo! Looking forward to more JW adventures and new cocktails! Thanks Johnnie Walker!