Latest news with #Formula1GrandPrix
Saudi Gazette
04-08-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
F1 tycoon pleads guilty in rare Singapore corruption case
SINGAPORE — A Singapore-based billionaire hotelier has pleaded guilty to a charge connected to a rare corruption scandal that shocked the country last year. Ong Beng Seng has admitted to abetting the obstruction of justice by helping ex-transportation minister Subramaniam Iswaran cover up evidence while he was being investigated for corruption. Ong had been accused of giving expensive gifts, including tickets to the Formula 1 Grand Prix and a ride on a private jet, to Iswaran while they were engaged in official business. Ministers in Singapore cannot keep gifts unless they pay the market value of the gift to the government, and they must declare anything they receive from people they have business dealings with. At Iswaran's sentencing last October, the court heard that Iswaran requested Ong bill him for a business class flight to Doha, after he discovered that he was being investigated. The judge said that he acted with deliberation and premeditation to avoid the probe. On Monday, Ong pleaded guilty on Monday for helping Iswaran pay the Singapore Grand Prix for the flight ticket from Doha to Singapore. The judge said that Ong's sentencing would be held on 15 August. Ong faces up to two years in jail for abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts, while the maximum jail term he faces for the abetment of obstruction of justice is seven years. The 79-year-old is also accused of abetting Iswaran in obtaining an all-expenses paid trip to Doha, said to be worth around S$20,850 ($16,188; £12,194). The two men were arrested in July 2023 and charge sheets revealed that Iswaran was gifted more than S$403,000 ($311,882; £234,586) worth of flights, hotel stays, musicals and grand prix tickets. At the time of the offences Iswaran was in the government's F1 steering committee and the chief negotiator on F1-related business matters. Ong helped bring the F1 Grand Prix to Singapore and his company Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) has brands like the Four Seasons and Marriott operating under it. Singapore's lawmakers are among the highest-paid in the world, with leaders justifying the handsome salaries by saying it combats corruption. Born in Malaysia in 1946, Ong moved to Singapore as a child and founded a hotel and property company in the 1980s. Ong has a rare bone marrow cancer, and the court previously allowed him to travel abroad for medical and work purposes. Hotel Properties Limited had earlier in April said that Ong would step down as its managing director "manage his medical conditions". — BBC
Time Business News
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
VIP Experience 101: How Chauffeur Services Upgrade Your ACL or F1 Grand Prix Weekend
You can tell a lot about how a weekend will go by how it starts. If you're fumbling with luggage at the airport, searching for a rideshare, or sweating in line behind hundreds of others… well, that's not exactly setting the tone for a premium experience. Austin's ACL Festival and Formula 1 Grand Prix are not your average events. They're bold, loud, electric — and you deserve to match that energy before you even step foot inside. But here's the twist: the magic doesn't start when the music kicks in or the engines roar. It starts in the backseat of the right ride. From touchdown to afterparty, everything changes when chauffeur service, black car service Austin, or limousine rental Austin, TX becomes part of your plan. Let's explore how showing up like a VIP can turn your whole weekend around. There's something wildly underrated about not having to think. That's the gift of chauffeur service — the ultimate pre-event brain break. Why spend energy navigating Austin's closed streets, endless detours, or surge-priced rideshares when you can hand it all off to a local pro? Let your chauffeur handle the timing, the turns, and the temperature inside the car. You just sit back. Here's what a good chauffeur brings to your event weekend: Knows the fastest routes (even when Google Maps doesn't). Times pickups with military precision — no waiting. Offers a calm space to decompress before the noise of ACL or F1. Helps with bags, drinks, jackets, awkward merch — all of it. Keeps the vehicle cool (or warm) and quiet. Don't make awkward conversations unless you want to. Stays nearby for instant departure, post-event. It's basically a mobile version of 'everything's handled.' And yes, this level of service is not only welcomed but also regulated by the City of Austin Ground Transportation Department, ensuring your ride is licensed, safe, and legit. If you think black car service in Austin is just for celebrities or CEOs, think again. It's for anyone who wants the night to go smoothly and arrive looking like they didn't try too hard — but still nailed it. What makes black car service such a clever play isn't just the style — though yeah, it looks good. It's the combo of reliability, comfort, and zero drama. These vehicles are pristine, driven by pros, and totally predictable in the best way possible. So what does that look like in real life? You're picked up early, in a polished vehicle with tinted windows and plenty of legroom. No Bluetooth battles or fried phone batteries — charging ports are right there. You slide out at Zilker or COTA without digging through your bag or dealing with receipts. You feel refreshed instead of frazzled, which sets a totally different vibe for the rest of your night. It's the kind of ride where you don't have to ask for anything — it's already been thought of. Let's get one thing straight: limousine rental in Austin, TX, doesn't have to scream prom night or over-the-top. It can be sharp, cool, and totally on-brand — you just need to match the ride to your vibe. Going for classic and elegant? A stretch limo is timeless. Rolling deep with friends? An SUV limo or party bus gives you room to breathe, laugh, and keep the music going. Trying to impress a client or someone special? The sleek black exterior and quiet interior say 'I planned' without actually saying it. Know your group size. You don't want to squeeze or overpay. You don't want to squeeze or overpay. Book early. These rides fly off the lot during ACL and F1 weekends. These rides fly off the lot during ACL and F1 weekends. Ask about extras. Lighting, sound systems, drink setups — they can elevate the experience in seconds. Think of a limo as part of the story. Not just how you get there, but a key moment in the night you'll actually talk about later. You know that moment when your flight lands, and half the plane rushes to find a rideshare? You could be them. Or, you could already be walking toward a car with your name on a placard. That's what airport chauffeur service feels like — calm, quiet confidence in a chaotic environment. This isn't just about skipping the taxi line. It's about transitioning from travel mode to festival mode without friction. Your chauffeur waits at the terminal, grabs your bags, and brings you to a clean, chilled car — no scrambling, no guesswork. Here's why it hits different: You don't have to lift a finger. They monitor your flight so you're never left waiting. You move through the airport like a VIP, not a tourist. With thousands of travelers flooding Austin during ACL and the Grand Prix, this kind of personalized service can save you an hour or more. And when the weekend is that packed, every minute counts. When your weekend begins with ACL or the F1 Grand Prix, your arrival should match the level of the event. That's where airport limo service flips the script on your typical airport routine. Instead of scrambling for a rideshare or waiting in a taxi line, you step into a stretch limousine or luxury SUV with tinted windows, cold water, and maybe even your playlist queued up. This is how you start the weekend on a high note. It's more than flash — it's smart. Here's why: It sets a calm, confident tone for the entire weekend. You don't waste a second — your driver is waiting. You have space to stretch out, refresh, or even toast the trip. This comes in especially handy when traveling with a group. Suppose you're heading straight from Austin-Bergstrom to Zilker Park or Circuit of the Americas. In that case, you'll appreciate how ACL Festival's official transportation guidance notes limited parking and heavy congestion during event weekends — making pre-booked limo service the smartest (and least stressful) choice. This isn't just about vehicles or leather seats. It's about how you want to feel during one of the best weekends of the year. Choosing a chauffeur service, a black car service Austin, or a limousine rental Austin, TX is less about showing off and more about showing up — prepared, relaxed, and present. You're saying: 'My time is valuable.' 'I want comfort without compromise.' 'I plan so I can enjoy the moment.' These services aren't just transportation. They're your first impression and your last memory of the event. Make them count. At Limousine ATX, we know exactly how important it is to get your arrival and departure just right — especially on the biggest weekends in Austin. We've helped thousands of guests elevate their ACL and F1 experiences with rides that are smooth, safe, stylish, and always on time. If you want a team that's local, experienced, and genuinely invested in making your trip unforgettable, we're here for it. Let's make sure the ride to and from the event is just as memorable as the main show. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
IOL News
25-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
R2 billion for Formula 1? Here's why it could be South Africa's smartest investment yet
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied When news broke that hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in South Africa could cost as much as R2 billion, the headlines focused on the bill. The critics warned of wasteful spending. Parliament debated priorities. But while the accountants saw a liability, I saw something very different: 20 000 jobs waiting to be created and an economy in motion. Yes, R2 billion is a significant investment. But as Singapore discovered when it launched its Grand Prix in 2008, the right event can pay for itself many times over. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the race generates about S$150 million (R2bn) annually in visitor spending and economic impact. Independent studies put the return on investment at three to five times every dollar spent. Apply those multipliers to South Africa, and you are looking at R6bn to R10bn circulating through our economy — from hotels and restaurants to construction, transport, media, and broadcast rights. And that's before considering the long-term reputational benefits that mega-events create. Because here's the part of the equation that rarely makes it into political soundbites: the jobs don't come from the race itself — they come from the ripple effects that the race sets in motion. More Than a Weekend Take Montreal. When it first hosted a Formula 1 race in 1978, roughly 2 000 people were employed directly for the event. Today, its motorsport sector — spanning events, tourism, suppliers, and services — sustains more than 13 000 jobs annually. These are not weekend positions. They represent a permanent industry cluster built around skills, suppliers, and global demand. Or look at Singapore. When it signed its Formula 1 contract, critics called it frivolous. Today, the Grand Prix remains the city-state's largest annual sporting event, drawing 250 000 visitors a year and boosting Singapore's image far beyond the racetrack. The impact goes beyond the estimated R2bn in annual economic activity; it has repositioned Singapore from a purely financial centre to a dynamic global hub for innovation and entertainment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading That perception shift is more than PR. As I've learned from interviewing over 500 business and public leaders for my books on leadership and economic development, investment follows inspiration. Talent follows excitement. Innovation follows ambition. Formula 1 sends a message that South Africa is open for high-value industries, not just commodity exports. Counting the Jobs Sceptics ask: where do 20 000 jobs come from? The answer lies in the combined layers of direct, indirect, and induced employment. Direct roles would include 2 000 track marshals, safety crews, and technical staff, along with 3 000 jobs in hospitality — from hotels to restaurants to transport operators. Preparing Kyalami for Grade 1 certification (it currently holds Grade 2 status) would generate another 5 000 construction and infrastructure jobs. But those are just the immediate roles. The real economic spark comes from the opportunities created once the global spotlight turns to South Africa. Every international broadcast markets our capacity to host at the highest level. Every tourist becomes a brand ambassador. Every executive in the grandstands sees a nation capable of delivering excellence. This is precisely what happened after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Leisure tourism jumped by 31% year on year following the tournament. Conference bookings doubled in the years that followed, particularly in Cape Town and Durban. And foreign investors — buoyed by renewed confidence in South Africa's capabilities — increased their commitments the following year. The legacy wasn't just in stadiums; it was in belief. Beyond the Race Track With the right vision, Formula 1 can catalyse more than temporary employment. It can become a platform for skill development and global integration. Picture a young engineer in Durban trained in race technology, later hired by international motorsport suppliers. Imagine graduates in Soweto coding for European tech firms because South Africa is viewed as an innovation-friendly hub. Envision township-based catering companies servicing international teams, gaining the credibility to expand globally. These outcomes don't happen automatically. They require alignment — between the government, business, and civil society — to ensure that investment in mega-events translates into long-term capacity. But with the right structures in place, the pay-off can be immense. Can We Afford Not To? Kyalami is not yet ready for Formula 1. It needs safety upgrades, pit facilities, and media infrastructure to achieve Grade 1 certification. The projected R2bn cost is real. But so is the upside. According to PwC and Oxford Economics, Formula 1 host cities typically generate between R1.8bn and R7.2bn annually from tourism, sponsorship, and media exposure. Job creation can reach 10 000 to 20 000 positions, depending on the scale of the supporting economy. So, the question South Africa should ask is not, 'Can we afford it?' It's, 'Can we afford not to?' In a world where automation threatens traditional industries and AI is set to transform entire sectors by 2027, South Africa needs catalysts for growth, skills, and global relevance. Formula 1 is not a silver bullet. But it is a proven accelerant. When the engines roar to life at Kyalami — hopefully by 2027 — they will do more than start a race. They will start careers, launch businesses, and inspire ambition across a generation. Because while critics debate costs, the real question is whether South Africa can afford to stand still. The world isn't waiting. And the future, much like Formula 1 itself, is already racing toward us at 300 kilometres per hour. Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) and author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
Time Out
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time Out
There's a new F1-grade race circuit in Johor Bahru with a professional karting course and off-road track
Motorsport fans, start your engines as a brand-new racing circuit is opening just 30 minutes from the Singapore-Malaysian Tuas checkpoint. The Sunway Circuit Iskandar Puteri is JB's latest motorsport destination, built to world-class standards with ambitions to host major international racing events. The circuit is designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke, who is the same mastermind behind several iconic Formula 1 tracks. The main circuit stretches 4.5km, and adheres to the stringent FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A specifications. This means it's capable of accommodating the fastest and most prestigious races such as Formula 1 and MotoGP. Unlike Singapore's Marina Bay Street Circuit, which is constructed and dismantled each year for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Sunway Circuit's track is a permanent fixture. Aside from the main track, Sunway Circuit Iskandar Puteri will also feature a 1.5km professional karting circuit, a hill climbing course, a 4×4 off-road adventure zone, and an advanced driving course for high-performance training and road safety education. Other facilities include international-standard pit buildings, paddocks, garages, media centres and VIP hospitality suites. The main circuit is already in place, with the entire facility slated for completion by the end of 2025.
Newsweek
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Faces Backlash Over Environmental Impact of Madrid Street Circuit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Formula One announced the construction of Madrid's Grand Prix street circuit, Madring, in April, set to be part of the calendar in 2026. However, aggrieved residents are opposing the construction of the circuit due to its impact on the environment. A protest is also scheduled for July 21, calling out the "felling, pruning, and transplanting of trees" that is being carried out to develop the circuit. The Madring replaces F1's iconic Imola next year, becoming the only European city to host a Grand Prix with the backing of the City Council and the Community of Madrid. The circuit spans 5.4 km, sporting 22 corners. While that might sound very interesting to Grand Prix enthusiasts, residents affected by construction activities and the event's potential environmental risk are not having it. An Instagram account by the name 'stopF1madrid,' linked to a website has firmly stated that "our neighborhoods are not a circuit," calling out the reported noise pollution the Grand Prix will generate, and the burden of a high carbon footprint that will reportedly be left behind. The movement comprises residents of affected neighborhoods, neighborhood associations, and representatives of political groups from the municipal opposition. The site stated: Arch to promote the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Madrid Car Experience, Madrid's motor show, at the Feria de Madrid Ifema, on 25 May, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. From May 22 until May 26, arrives... Arch to promote the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Madrid Car Experience, Madrid's motor show, at the Feria de Madrid Ifema, on 25 May, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. From May 22 until May 26, arrives at Ifema the car show to see the latest news and bets of the brands in an environment of entertainment, music and gastronomy. More"We want to stop MADRING. "A project that will only generate noise and mobility problems for thousands of homes in the Hortaleza district and surrounding IFEMA, as well as for educational centers and workers in the area. "Each Grand Prix generates a massive carbon footprint: more than 10 tons of CO2 are emitted per race." 700 trees are claimed to have "disappeared." Residents have highlighted three main problems from the Madring: 1. Extremely strong noise and air pollution "The preliminary studies themselves conclude that the circuit will generate noise levels far exceeding the legally permitted levels, and will also be a major source of air pollutants. In fact, for the F1 to be held, the City Council must temporarily suspend the ordinance on permissible noise levels." 2. Major inconvenience and problems for the neighbors "There are even plans to force those most affected to leave their homes while the races are taking place. Five months of construction work per year during the ten years the circuit will be open (three months of assembly, race days, and testing, plus a month and a half of dismantling) will be a real ordeal, not to mention the resulting mobility problems, disruption to public transport, and congestion." 3. Destruction of green spaces "Up to 700 trees have disappeared, in addition to the occupation of a livestock trail." Residents have also signed an online petition, calling for the stoppage of the Grand Prix at Madring. A thread on Reddit pointed out the anti-F1 protests over the felling of olive trees that were centuries old. Some reactions from the users are stated below: This user says nobody asked for a Madrid street circuit: "Good, F1 fans didn't ask for this track either. Nothing but support for the people over at r/Madrid." Comment byu/gabagoolafficionado from discussion informula1 Another user asked an important question: "The fans don't want a Madrid street circuit, the locals don't want a Madrid street circuit, the drivers don't want a Madrid street circuit. So who is this ACTUALLY for" [sic] Comment byu/gabagoolafficionado from discussion informula1 This user won't be watching the race in Madrid: "That's disgraceful. Might not watch this GP." Comment byu/gabagoolafficionado from discussion informula1 This user pointed out a similar concern. Should racing be limited to the circuits only? "One of Brazil's Stock Car street circuit races was cancelled because of the same reason. Totally valid IMO. How can you push for carbon neutrality when your sport is responsible for destroying nature." Comment byu/gabagoolafficionado from discussion informula1 F1 has been striving to become carbon-neutral by 2030. But with the scheduled protest against the race at Madring, it remains to be seen if the sport will be willing to address the concerns of residents affected by the project.
