Singapore GP not at risk despite Ong Beng Seng court case

The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix will go ahead as planned despite race promoter Ong Beng Seng’s upcoming sentencing in a corruption case.

The 79-year-old property tycoon has pleaded guilty to abetting obstruction of justice in a long-running investigation involving former transport minister S. Iswaran.

Ong had invited Iswaran on a fully paid, undeclared trip to Qatar in 2022, including private flights and hotel costs. Although the offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail, prosecutors have recommended judicial mercy due to Ong’s terminal illness and other severe medical conditions.

He will be sentenced on August 15. While Ong remains the official promoter, he is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the event.

A spokesman for the race confirmed the October round will proceed unaffected. "We remain firmly on schedule and remain focused on delivering the 2025 Singapore GP, which will be another world-class event for our partners and fans," the spokesman said.

The event is contracted through 2028 and remains one of the most commercially and culturally valuable fixtures on the Formula 1 calendar.