Singapore Grand Prix prepares haze measures as race schedule remains unchanged

Singapore Grand Prix organisers have prepared measures to address wildfire haze after the country's National Environment Agency classified air quality as unhealthy on Tuesday. The Guardian reported that smoke from fires in neighbouring Indonesia had spread across Singapore, while Formula One and the FIA said the conditions were not expected to disrupt this weekend's racing schedule.

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According to the Guardian's Adam Hancock, organisers will make N95 masks available at the venue if needed. They also said they would coordinate with the relevant agencies over any problems involving visibility, public health or event operations. The preparations come as Formula One arrives for its night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with the city covered by smoke from the regional fires.

An FIA spokesperson told the newspaper that contingency arrangements exist should the haze deteriorate. Restrictions on outdoor activities were possible, but were considered more likely to affect entertainment events than the paddock. The governing body separately said it had no concerns about visibility. A Formula One spokesperson also said conditions at the event location were not at a level that threatened the race.

The haze is linked to fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan during Indonesia's dry season, with this year's El Niño worsening conditions, the Guardian reported. Wang Jingyu, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University's National Institute of Education, told the newspaper that regional rainfall had been roughly 80% below normal since June. He described the resulting fire season as the most intense in more than a decade.

The report said several teams had not altered their plans because of the air quality. Audi, making its first Singapore Grand Prix appearance, said its drivers were prepared for different environmental conditions, including changes in air quality. The race already presents demanding conditions because of Singapore's humidity and the Marina Bay circuit's tight layout.

Spectators may spend several hours outdoors across the race programme, concerts and accompanying events, the Guardian noted. Those activities are part of the organisers' wider operational considerations as they monitor the haze. Thundery showers were forecast for Friday and Saturday afternoons, offering the possibility of some relief, although the report did not establish that the smoke would clear before racing.