RACE DEBRIEF

    The tight confines of the Marina Bay Street Circuit produced plenty of drama in Sunday’s 2017 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, but there was also no shortage of off-track interest in the build-up to the race. Here's just some of the social media highlights...

    Nice wheels Lewis!

    Not content with having F1 hybrid power on the track, Lewis Hamilton helped launch a car that will give it to him on the road as well.

    New whip, who dis? 😄 #AMGProjectONE @MercedesAMG pic.twitter.com/g41OQRXiEM

    — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) September 12, 2017

    Congratulations Valtteri

    Meanwhile, team mate Valtteri Bottas was marking a somewhat different special event.

    Welcome Ms Rosberg

    And the man Bottas replaced at Mercedes - reigning world champion Nico Rosberg - had his own heart-warming news to announce.

    And welcome Robert

    In another Rosberg announcement, it was revealed that Nico will be joining the management team of friend and former rival Robert Kubica.

    Felipe's for the high jump

    Williams's Felipe Massa and Haas's Romain Grosjean share a moment with Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim, high jump gold medallist in this summer's World Athletics Championships.

    A royal visit for Woking

    McLaren played host to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in the week prior to Singapore.

    Fan frenzy

    This post from McLaren's Fernando Alonso shows that it's not just on the Singapore circuit that F1 drivers need endurance...

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    Two-way street

    Not all fans are there for just an autograph and a selfie - some come bearing gifts too!

    Mural marvel

    Not sure if every driver was happy with their depiction in this amazing piece of artwork, but it certainly amused the teams and the fans.

    Max's not-so-tasty treat

    When you head to the Far East, it's only polite to sample some local delicacies - Max Verstappen wished he hadn't.

    Sainz's Renault debut

    With his 2018 Renault drive confirmed, Carlos Sainz revealed that it won't be the first time he's appeared in the cockpit for the famous French marque.

    Cheers Checo

    The Singapore weekend also brought contract news for Sergio Perez, who is staying with Force India next season. Before that the Mexican made sure to mark his nation's Independence Day.

    Pedal to the metal

    Sainz celebrated his new deal by scoring the best result of his F1 career to date with fourth place - as the picture shows, the Spaniard was certainly on it!

    Ericsson on ice

    We know it's hot in Singapore, but is this not taking it to extremes? Sauber's Marcus Ericsson does hail from sub-zero Sweden, though.

    Music makers

    Singapore is never just about the racing - this year's concerts included headline sets from Ariana Grande, Seal and these superstars...

    Wild boys

    Also on the bill were eighties icons Duran Duran and bass guitarist John Taylor didn't miss his chance to visit the F1 paddock.

    Headlight

    Racing at night? Get yourself a sparkly, glow-in-the dark helmet! Nice work Pascal.

    Ferrari feast

    Ferrari didn’t just bring their cars from Modena. Also with them was chef Massimo Bottura, whose three-Michelin-star restaurant in the Italian town ranks among the best in the world.

    Birthday boy

    Force India's Esteban Ocon turned 21 over the Singapore weekend - and was not short of congratulatory messages.

    A NASCAR legend

    American team Haas welcomed a rather famous US racer to their garage at Marina Bay...

    Jan the man

    ... but Kevin Magnussen was even happier to see his Dad.

    Fernando flying high

    His innocent involvement in the first-corner carnage in Singapore may have cost him a potential podium for McLaren, but even Fernando Alonso was able to see the lighter side.

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    Hats off to Mercedes

    It takes something special to make Niki Lauda remove his famous cap - and Mercedes' unexpected one-three finish in Singapore was enough to do the trick.