Ernest Luis
ernest@sph.com.sg

IMAGINE the Michael Schumachers, the Kimi Raikkonens and the Fernando Alonsos of Formula One staring down from the starting grid in front of the Esplanade.

As millions of viewers worldwide watch the television camera pan out from the Esplanade's famous twin durian-like domes, imagine the drivers shooting off and braking hard, turning sharp right onto Anderson Bridge.

Or even towards Lau Pa Sat food centre on a longer alternate version of a street circuit here, before returning to the bridge via Robinson Road and Collyer Quay.

Put yourself in the driver's seat as you tackle the S-curve right and left following the Anderson Bridge, past the Singapore Cricket Club and the Victoria Concert Hall.

Zoom past the City Hall building and the Padang, sprint up Stamford Road and back down Bras Basah Road - past Raffles Hotel and Raffles City for the longest straight yet.

Zip into the Suntec City area, circle the famed Fountain of Wealth before powering back towards the Esplanade for the start-finish straight.

Singapore's skyline and landmarks instantly showed off to millions via television.

Singaporeans flocking all over to numerous vantage points around the circuit area.

Imagine grandstand views from the Padang or where the River Hongbao festival is usually held along the Marina Promenade Park.

Imagine swanky jet-setters from all over the world living it up with outstanding aerial views from Swissotel the Stamford, the Fullerton Hotel, Ritz-Carlton and the like.

In visualising such an event, allied with the possibility of a casino in the Marina area, Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA) president Matthew Lee said Singapore could well be the 'Monaco of the East'.

Monaco - a tiny principality off the south of France - is now the only strictly city street circuit on the F1 calendar.

Melbourne's Albert Park circuit (a public road around a lake) is located 3km from the city centre.

The SMSA - together with the Japan GT association, which is seeking to have sportscar races in this region - have done a survey, and identified the roads for a Singapore street circuit.

It measures around 3.8km, with the longer version up to Lau Pa Sat extending to around 4.8km.

In contrast, Monaco's Monte Carlo circuit measures 3.34km.

Said Lee, 44, an events promoter: 'We met with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) late last year, to discuss it in a feasibility study group.

'And we've knuckled down the exact roads for a possible F1 street circuit since.'

STB could not comment before press time.

But with everything still at a preliminary study stage, what are Singapore's chances to rival Malaysia and host an F1 race?

Lee replied straightforwardly: 'Money talks first, especially when it comes to Bernie Ecclestone (F1's charismatic supremo who markets the sport).

'This is an open secret in the world of Formula One.'

The cost for Singapore to host an F1 race annually?

'US$12 to 15 million ($20-25m) for a start.

'The Malaysians are reportedly paying around the US$12m mark,' added Lee, who attends the yearly conferences of FIA - the world body that runs Formula One.

What about the cost of setting up such a street circuit for a one-off Grand Prix?

Replied SMSA vice-president Tan Teng Lip, 54, an architect: 'The estimate is $30 million for a setting-up period of two weeks.

'Even if F1 decides not to come here, the street circuit can still be used for Formula Three, GT sportscar races or the FIA's World Touring Car races.'

He added that 2007 was their projection for when this street race can be realistically held.

But there may be a stumbling block in the form of Singapore's lack of racing history - the FIA's tendency to move away from traditional street circuits.

Monaco - widely seen as one of the most dangerous circuits because of its tight roads, and unrelenting barriers - is kept on the calendar simply because of its glamour and history since holding its first GP in 1929.

But Lee argued that Singapore may have a fighting chance to overturn the sceptics.

As he remarked: 'Look at the roads named.

'Unlike Monaco, there are enough long stretches.

'Unlike Monaco, our roads are very wide.

'We have the widest roads in this region.

'This encourages more overtaking, which is rare for a traditional street circuit.

'But like Monaco, the corners are challenging enough and flanked by great landmarks.

'Even Macau, famous for its Formula 3 races, is a very tight circuit.

'So from a technical driving point of view, Singapore has the potential to be one of the best and most exciting street circuits in the world.'

The vision again is simple: Singapore - the Monaco of the East.