“I’m surprised you enjoy it—you don’t even have a driver’s license.” Though phrased in countless variations, that was the general reaction from family and friends when they learned I had started tuning into Formula 1 in 2020. Honestly, I was just as surprised. My life usually revolves around the latest beauty drops and streaming releases. Yet here I am, writing this piece with a camera roll full of on-track action, tan lines from hours under the sun, and a team hat hanging on my wall. Okay, maybe two.
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While mine is a mild case, the need for speed has been palpable these past few years. Thanks to its partnerships with fashion, beauty, and lifestyle giants, a growing slate of docu-series, a movie adaptation, celebrity sightings, TikTok edits, and the Pinterest-worthy aesthetic of Monégasque glamour, motorsport has officially entered the pop culture stratosphere. The sport has also sharpened its focus on women (Fun fact: 40% of its fan base is now female) and spotlighted its all-women Formula 4-level championship, F1 Academy.
Despite its newfound mass appeal, Formula 1 still retains an air of exclusivity, with certain areas accessible only to VIPs and special guests through invitations money can’t buy. So when Charlotte Tilbury, an official sponsor of the F1 Academy series, invited me for a two-day, all-access look during a sold-out Singapore Grand Prix, I jumped at the chance.
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My weekend began early, on a sunny Thursday outside Gate 2, where I met Charlotte Tilbury driver Chloe Chong for a tour of her garage at the F1 Academy paddock. The paddock serves as a behind-the-scenes hub—a travelling office complex for teams and engineers. Smaller and more intimate than Formula 1’s, it buzzed with energy and purpose, a mix of grease, exhaust, and focus.
After a brief chat and photo session, my adrenaline-fuelled weekend began in earnest. Friday delivered what can only be described as the ultimate Formula 1 viewing experience: The Paddock Club. Within the F1 Pit Building was a three-storey haven of screens, plush interiors, and international stars mingling with ease. Guests sipped champagne while enjoying culinary creations from JL Studio, COMO Cuisine, and Bar Leone, all while gazing down at the garages below.
Soon after, I joined a guided paddock tour; one of the rare moments when the gates open for fans to meet the drivers and see the cars up close. It was a reminder that not everything in motorsport is reserved for five-figure ticket holders. For one hour each evening, the sport belongs to everyone.
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Then came the main event: A walk through the official Formula 1 paddock. Passing through the black-and-white signage, I found myself surrounded by the heartbeat of the sport. Garages buzzed with engineers and mechanics; team kits in red, green, and orange flashed past. Amid the commotion, I spotted familiar faces: Former world champion Jenson Button, Williams Racing principal James Vowles, Alexandra Saint-Mleux, Rebecca Donaldson, and professional golfer Lily Muni He—all effortlessly blending into the glamorous chaos.
The night ended with a rare pit wall experience during F1 Academy qualifying. Headset on, monitors alive with live data and split screens, I watched as the cars lined up metres away. The smell of petrol hung in the air as engines roared to life. It was a symphony of precision and adrenaline. Finally, we joined the pit walk where, in a blink, I found myself standing outside Ferrari’s garage next to Korean actor Hyun Bin.
Standing on the viewing deck, I looked across the grandstands at cars streaking past in a blur. The scenes I once streamed on my laptop were now playing out before me. As I joined the crowd—K-pop’s Dayoung, actor Ross Butler, and Thai star Sorn among them—boarding the shuttle home, I couldn’t help but hope I’d get to do it all again next year.
Tickets for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2026 go on sale from 3 November 2025. For more information, visit the Singapore GP website.