Tickets for next year's Singapore Grand Prix will go on sale to the public in
mid-December.

Companies that want to buy hospitality packages - where their guests can watch the Formula One race in air-conditioned comfort and enjoy food and champagne - can start their bookings from Nov 28, said the event's organiser, Singapore GP, yesterday.

However, it declined to reveal ticket prices, saying they are still being
firmed up.

Singapore GP, which holds five-year renewable rights to stage the race here, would only say that tickets will be priced to allow the maximum number of spectators to enjoy the race.

But according to previous reports, the cheapest standing- room seats are likely to go for $50 for the free practice and qualifying sessions, held on the Friday and Saturday before a race. This is expected to double on the actual race day.

Grandstand seats at specially constructed stands or the Marina Bay pontoon should cost upwards of $600, the minimum at the other 17 races this year.

However, the figure could rise because of the novelty factor - the Singapore event, scheduled for some time next September or October, will be the sport's first night race.

Ticket prices for the Singapore race are likely to fall in between what is
charged at the Malaysian and Monte Carlo ones.

Prices for next year's Malaysian GP range from RM1,755 (S$772) for the best grandstand seats, to RM33 for a hilltop place, which means being exposed to the elements on a grassy knoll.

Tickets for Monte Carlo, the crown jewel of the F1 circuit, range from 475 euros (S$1,478) for the best grandstand seats to 100 euros for standing-only tickets.

Organisers are estimating that there will be 80,000 to 90,000 seats, but will confirm the proportion of public and corporate seating only when the route in the Marina Bay district is finalised.

But it is likely that 10,000 to 15,000 tickets will be reserved for VVIPs,
VIPs, corporate sponsors, and guests of the organisers and racing teams.

That would leave about 70,000 tickets for the public.

To prevent touting, tickets will come with state-of-the-art security features.

Meanwhile, corporations are already showing interest in treating clients to the event.

It is believed that the Fullerton Waterboat House, which is right at a hairpin turn where Esplanade Drive leads into Anderson Bridge, has been booked by a leading financial institution. The cost for the expected 100 guests is about $1,200 a person a day.

Hotels along the route are also getting regular enquiries about rooms.

"We're looking at almost 85 per cent of the room inventory being booked for the race weekend if those on the wait-list honour their bookings," said Pan Pacific Hotel spokesman Cheryl Ng.

Pan Pacific and Swissotel The Stamford have also been getting calls from firms interested in booking meeting and ballrooms for fringe events during the race weekend.