Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Singapore Grand Prix to take place as haze reaches unhealthy levels
Smoke from fires in southern Sumatra, Indonesia, has caused haze over Singapore.
On race day, an air-quality reading in central Singapore was 154, which is in the unhealthy range.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday evening, with drivers also facing high heat and humidity.
Singapore’s environment minister warned that readings could rise above 200, a level classed as very unhealthy.
The government is especially concerned about risks to older people, young children, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions.
If the 24-hour reading goes above 200, eligible Singaporeans can get N95 masks, and the government plans to open air-conditioned community spaces as shelters.
The government’s Haze Task Force is meeting regularly and has prepared guidance for schools, workplaces and health services.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix is set to take place as smoke haze pushes air pollution in Central Singapore into the unhealthy range.
At 6am on race day, the Pollutant Standard Index reading for Central Singapore was 154.
Singapore’s government warned on Saturday that readings could exceed 200, reaching the very unhealthy range.
The haze was attributed to fires in southern Sumatra, with hot spots in Sumatra and Kalimantan and unfavourable winds.
Officials said they would distribute N95 masks if the 24-hour PSI exceeds 200 and prepare air-conditioned haze shelters.
- Who
- Formula One drivers and people in Singapore are affected by the haze.
- What
- The Singapore Grand Prix is set to take place while air pollution is in the unhealthy range.
- When
- Sunday, in 2026. The race is scheduled to start at 8pm local time.
- Where
- Singapore, with the race taking place at the Singapore Grand Prix.
- Why
- Smoke haze from fires in southern Sumatra has worsened, amid hot spots in Sumatra and Kalimantan and unfavourable winds.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
So we have to be prepared.
We are very concerned about public health, and therefore we have contingency plans according to the PSI levels.
When the 24-hour PSI breaches 200, we will activate the mask distribution exercise.
Singapore’s government warned that haze readings could exceed 200 and enter the very unhealthy range.
Central Singapore’s PSI reading was 154, in the unhealthy range.
The 62-lap Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled to begin.
- Race distance
- 62 laps
- Race start
- 8pm local time
- Central Singapore PSI
- 154 at 6am on race day
- Mask distribution threshold
- 24-hour PSI above 200
- Haze sources
- Fires in southern Sumatra; hot spots in Sumatra and Kalimantan
Sources
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