NOT known to many is the fact that President Marcos Jr. has been a Formula One fan for the longest time.
I’ve discovered it more than a decade ago.
I was in the same plane with him on my way back to Manila from the Singapore Grand Prix in 2009, the year that the island nation had its inaugural F1, the first and only night race of the yearly circuit ran across the globe.
At one point during the flight, the PAL stewardess had to remind, in a most cordial manner, the President’s all-male group seated at the back to remain calm and quiet as some passengers had complained of their rowdiness.
Thankfully, they obliged.
The President is in the news again for his trip last weekend to Singapore to watch the GP—a proof once more that, truly, the Formula One is addicting.
I had been to several F1 races, including the Shanghai GP and the inaugural Malaysian GP in Kuala Lumpur where I was in the same hospitality lounge with Princess Anne, the daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, atop the exclusive Paddock Area. An experience of a lifetime, indeed.
I heard that the Chief Executive is a Ferrari fan. He must have relished seeing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc giving Sergio Perez a stiff challenge before the Red Bull bet won by 7.5 seconds over Leclerc—the merry Mexican becoming the 58th winner to lead from start to finish. Leclerc was the 57th to do it—in Australia early this year.
In finishing second in Singapore ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz of Spain, Leclerc achieved his second straight runner-up finish in the gruelling 61-lap run even as Perez, bucking a five-second penalty for a Safety Car infraction, also became the first winner of both street races in Singapore and Monaco this year since Sebastian Vettel did the trick in 2011.
To win, Perez, in second grid, overtook Leclerc at the first turn in a brilliant maneuver to the roar of a record crowd of more than 300,000.
Vettel, in his farewell GP appearance this year, ended up eighth behind championship leader Max Verstappen, the Red Bull top gun out to cement his hold of the lead with a victory in the Japan F1 on October 7-9 in Suzuka.
Will Mr. Marcos Jr. be there again? Abangan!
And while we are at it, here’s an abridged report on the Singapore Formula One.
“The Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 has set a new record for the highest attendance ever in its 13-year history.
“After a two-year absence due to the global 2019 pandemic, the Marina Bay Street Circuit welcomed a sold-out record crowd of 302,000 over three days from all over the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Netherlands and the USA.
“‘It is wonderful to welcome fans back to the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The return of Formula 1 was highly anticipated, with tickets snapped up within hours of the launch earlier this year. From the time we announced our contract renewal at the end of January, we have had several months of intense planning to put together a mega show to signal our return in a big way. In addition to the race action, we have curated an exciting range of entertainment, interactive and gastronomic experiences for the fan zones, as well as introduced new grandstands and hospitality facilities,’ said Colin Syn, Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP Pte Ltd.
“Fans were treated to an entertainment line-up that included Marshmello, Westlife, Black Eyed Peas, Suede and TLC.”
Every Grand Prix has that fiesta atmosphere, indeed.
PEE STOP
Deepest condolences to the loved ones of Joe Antonio, the sports editor for almost 37 years of the People’s Journal, especially to his comely wife Lita and their only child, Steve Ovett; Steve’s wife and two kids. Joe would usually bring me a sack of milagrosa, the best rice variety ever from his hometown Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, “whether the harvest is good or not.” Rest well, Joe. You will be missed.