Pioneering: Singapore GP

The street race set new standards in September when it became the first in Formula One history to be run after dark, and under artificial lights.

Colin Syn, chairman of the Singapore GP, received the award from McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen on behalf of the race.

"It's overwhelming," said Syn when asked about the effect the race has had on Singapore. "I can't explain the effect it had on the whole city.

"The entire team is now at work. We have a whole cycle of things that we have to improve for next year, but we are working very hard on it."

Opinions were divided over F1's first night race during the build-up to the Singapore race, but the hugely-successful event both silenced the concept's critics and wowed even its ardent supporters.

Any doubts over whether F1 could work at night were quickly erased once practice began. The spectacle and atmosphere were outstanding, with the twinkling lights of the city of Singapore making an evocative backdrop for the world championship battle.

Pre-event worries about the level of visibility and the effects of shadows were soon allayed, and although there were concerns about the effect of rain under the lights, the weather remained fine all weekend.

It wasn't just the sight of floodlit racing that went down well. The Marina Bay street circuit itself also received plenty of deserved praise. Comparisons with Monaco were fully justified, as the track blended beautifully into the cityscape and made excellent use of landmarks such as the historic Anderson Bridge.

It also provided plenty of challenges and allowed for overtaking, and minor grumbles about bumps and chicane kerbs can be attended to in the future.

Appropriately enough, the race was also a thriller, with Fernando Alonso benefiting from a well-timed safety car to come from 15th on the grid (following a qualifying fuel pump problem) to win his first race since returning to Renault, and Nico Rosberg recovering from a penalty to take a giant-killing second for Williams.

While there were some dissenting voices - Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo describing the event as "a circus" - overall the Singapore GP was a triumph for F1, and a fantastic reminder of the sport's potential.

It is unlikely to remain the world championship's only night race for long, but Singapore will always have its place in history as the pioneer of the floodlit GP concept.