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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Ethan Brown becomes first Singaporean to be selected for Lamborghini's young driver programme
Ethan Brown is currently racing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series as a rookie. SINGAPORE – While some of his peers were still savouring the trackside high after last September's 2024 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, young Singaporean race car driver Ethan Brown was making a dash from the Padang to Nee Soon Camp. Brown, a full-time national serviceman then, had competed in similar cars in the Australian Formula 3 Championship in 2022 and being at the Singapore GP, which was won by McLaren's Lando Norris, inevitably sparked thoughts of his own motorsport career. Fast forward to today, Brown who has completed NS, found himself back in the fast lane. On July 16, the 20-year-old was announced as part of the 2025 Lamborghini Young Driver Program. He is the first Singaporean to be part of this initiative, and is one of only two Asian drivers selected, alongside Macau's Charles Leong. The programme is designed to cultivate the next generation of motorsport talent by providing intensive training and competitive opportunities. Brown, whose father is Australian and mother Singaporean, said: 'It's a dream come true, and I'm excited to learn from the talented staff at Lamborghini. 'I'm proud to carry the Singapore flag and hopeful to make my mark on the international racing scene.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore Who is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital He is one of 16 young drivers from the Lamborghini Super Trofeo – an international racing series with three regional circuits – selected to receive support, training, and evaluation throughout the season by Lamborghini. Drivers were assessed by Scuola Federale ACI Sport's chief instructor Niki Cadei, as well as Lamborghini factory drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Marco Mapelli. Participants will receive coaching in areas such as race craft, technical feedback, physical and mental conditioning, media and sponsorship skills and simulator development. They will also benefit from working closely with Lamborghini motorsport department's engineers and staff throughout the season. Ultimately, the programme will act as a direct pipeline to Lamborghini's GT3 and factory racing opportunities. Scotsman Sandy Mitchell, the 2020 British GT Championship winner and Italian driver Leonardo Pulcini are graduates of the programme who have gone on to become factory drivers for the manufacturer. As part of the programme, Brown could also be invited to a training camp at the carmaker's headquarters in Italy and a final shoot-out at Misano in November, where the top-performing drivers will compete for further support. If he impresses there, he may receive factory backing from Lamborghini for the 2026 season, which will represent a major step towards a professional career in GT racing or beyond. Brown added that this has fuelled his motivation for the ultimate goal of making a career out of racing. He said: 'The dream is to become a factory driver for Lamborghini... As a factory driver, you're fully paid to race, you're a brand ambassador, you fly around and race for Lamborghini in races such as the World Endurance Championship, or at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.' Currently racing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series as a rookie, Brown is in second place in the championship standings after three rounds, with three podium finishes in six races including a win in Race 1 at Shanghai in May. The series features two drivers splitting driving duties for a team as they compete in identical, single-make Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 cars across five rounds in top Asian circuits. The next round will be held from July 18-20 in Inje, South Korea, followed by Sepang (Sept 5-7) and the final round on Nov 6 and 7 in Misano, Italy, where the Nov 8-9 World Finals will also take place. The St. Andrew's Secondary School alumnus, who is now based in Australia, where he is pursuing a computer science and finance degree at the La Trobe University in Melbourne, said his racing journey started with go-karts at the age of six. His father, who loves simulator racing, took him to Kartright Speedway, a now defunct go-karting track that was located in Jurong. Brown said he was hooked almost immediately by the adrenaline rush and his father would take him to karting races in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. In 2019, Ethan moved to Australia to pursue his racing career and three years later he moved up from karts to the Australian Formula 3 Championship, where he had five podium finishes as part of the Tim Macrow Racing team in his debut season. In 2023, he enlisted for NS, which mean that full-time racing was paused. Now, Brown hopes to grab this opportunity presented by Lamborghini with both hands. 'Singapore is my home, and to have the Singapore flag on the car, representing the country in races around the world, I can't describe how proud I am to be able to do that,' he said. 'I want to keep growing in this sport and just as Joseph Schooling did with his swimming at the Olympics, I hope to continually put our flag on the racing map.'
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Music acts Lewis Capaldi, Clean Bandit, Spice Girls' Melanie C added
(Counter-clockwise from right) Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, British electronic pop group Clean Bandit and Spice Girls member Melanie C have been added as music acts at this year's F1 Singapore Grand Prix. SINGAPORE – Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, British electronic pop group Clean Bandit and Spice Girls member Melanie C have been added as music acts at the Formula One (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore GP) 2025. Capaldi, best known for 2019 hit Someone You Loved, will perform at the Padang Stage in Zone 4 on Oct 5. He played his only show in Singapore at Capitol Theatre in 2020. The 28-year-old was initially scheduled to return to Singapore to perform at The Star Theatre in 2023, but cancelled that gig, as well as the rest of his world tour, due to health reasons. He recently staged a comeback and performed a surprise set at British music festival Glastonbury 2025 on June 27. The gig came two years after he ended his Glastonbury set prematurely after suffering from a mental breakdown and struggling with tics brought on by Tourette syndrome. Clean Bandit, the trio behind hits such as Rockabye and Symphony (both 2015), will perform at Wharf Stage, Zone 1 on Oct 3. Their previous gigs in Singapore include a set at music festival Neon Lights in 2019 and a concert at The Star Theatre in 2018. Melanie C is among the acts doing deejay sets at Sunset Stage, Zone 1, and will perform on Oct 5. Other acts there include electronic music veteran Pete Tong on Oct 4. They join the other major music acts announced earlier, and are performing at the Padang: K-pop stars G-Dragon and CL on the first night, Oct 3, American rock band Foo Fighters and Norwegian DJ-producer Alan Walker on Oct 4, and British music icon Elton John, who is the race weekend's closing act on Oct 5. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Up to 30% of aviation jobs would have to be redesigned because of AI, automation: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore Acts performing at the Wharf Stage include Australian and New Zealand rock band Crowded House on Oct 4 and Smashing Pumpkins and English indie rock band The Wombats on Oct 5. Race organiser Singapore GP also announced more music acts, including British singer-songwriter Maisie Peters at Downtown Stage, Zone 4 on Oct 3, New Zealand indie electronic band The Naked and Famous at Wharf Stage on Oct 4 and American Idol contestant Haley Reinhart at Sail Stage, Zone 1 from Oct 3 to Oct 5. The F1 shows, which take place at several venues across the Marina Bay Street Circuit, have been some of the biggest concerts held in Singapore. The Padang Stage, in previous years, saw crowds of around 60,000.
CNA
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng's case adjourned again
Ong faces two charges, first for abetting Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice by helping the latter pay S$5,700 (US$4,480) to Singapore GP for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore. This was a delayed payment allegedly made months after the flight itself and only after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) discovered Iswaran's name on the flight manifest when investigating a separate case. The second charge is for instigating Iswaran to obtain flights and a hotel stay from Ong. This was when Iswaran knew Ong had business dealings linked with Iswaran's official functions. Ong, known for bringing Formula 1 to Singapore in 2008, was first charged with two offences in October 2024 that correspond to two of the charges Iswaran pleaded guilty to. He was previously set to plead guilty on Jul 3, but this was changed to a pre-trial conference, with a judiciary spokesperson saying both sides had asked for more time to file sentencing submissions. Ong was the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), which previously stated in a Singapore Exchange (SGX) announcement that Ong would plead guilty to the charge of obstructing justice, while admitting to have the other charge taken into consideration for sentencing. He stepped down on Apr 29 for medical reasons, according to a bourse filing by the company.
Business Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Ong Beng Seng set for another pre-trial conference on Jul 23
[SINGAPORE] Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng is set for another pre-trial conference on Jul 23, with parties having been asked to file revised papers. This was after a pre-trial conference on Tuesday (Jul 8). The billionaire was previously set to plead guilty to two charges on Jul 3. But one day before that, his court hearing was rescheduled to Tuesday's pre-trial conference. Usually held in chambers, a pre-trial conference is a meeting between the court and the parties involved in a case to deal with administrative matters. The parties may also schedule future court dates. It does not mean the case will necessarily proceed to trial. Iswaran entanglement Ong, former managing director of Hotel Properties Ltd, is widely known for bringing the Formula 1 night race to Singapore in 2008, and owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix. He faces two charges: one of abetting offences under Section 165 of the Penal Code – which forbids public servants from accepting gifts from people involved with them in an official capacity – and another of abetting the obstruction of justice. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Both are in relation to former transport minister S Iswaran, who was handed a 12-month jail sentence last October. The Singapore Prison Service said last month that Iswaran is no longer under prison custody. The first charge, for abetting an offence under Section 165, relates to flights and a stay. Ong allegedly offered Iswaran a flight from Singapore to Doha on a private jet, worth US$7,700; a one-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Doha worth S$4,737.63, through race promoter Singapore GP; and a business class flight from Doha to Singapore, worth S$5,700. The second charge was for allegedly instructing Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang, in May 2023, to bill Iswaran for the flight from Doha to Singapore – an action that would have obstructed the course of justice. Those found guilty of offences under Section 165 can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. Abetting an offence would result in the same punishment, if the offence is committed as a consequence of the abetment.
Singapore Law Watch
03-07-2025
- Business
- Singapore Law Watch
Ong Beng Seng's case back to Jul 8 pre-trial conference; previously meant to plead guilty on Jul 3
Ong Beng Seng's case back to Jul 8 pre-trial conference; previously meant to plead guilty on Jul 3 Source: Business Times Article Date: 03 Jul 2025 Author: Jessie Lim Postponement is for parties to file further written submissions on the sentencing. Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who was expected to plead guilty on Jul 3 in a case involving former transport minister S Iswaran, has had his court hearing adjourned. A request to reschedule the court hearing was approved by the State Courts on Wednesday (Jul 2). The hearing, which is now taking place on Jul 8, is no longer a plead guilty mention but instead a pre-trial conference. At a pre-trial conference, usually held in chambers, the court and the parties involved in a case meet. The aim is to sort out administrative matters and potentially schedule future court dates. It does not mean the case will necessarily proceed to trial. A Singapore Courts spokesman said that the parties involved applied for the Jul 3 further mention to be adjourned to a later date, for parties to file further written submissions on the sentencing. An Attorney-General's Chambers spokesman said the further mention for a guilty plea 'will be refixed for a later date'. Case involving Iswaran Ong, former managing director of Hotel Properties Ltd, is widely known for bringing the Formula 1 night race to Singapore in 2008. He owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix (GP). He faces one charge of abetting offences under Section 165 of the Penal Code – which forbids public servants from accepting gifts from people involved with them in an official capacity – and one charge of abetting the obstruction of justice. The first charge, for abetting an offence under Section 165, relates to flights and a hotel stay. Ong allegedly offered Iswaran a trip to Doha in December 2022, and arranged for his private jet to fly him there. The flight was worth US$7,700. Ong also allegedly made arrangements through race promoter Singapore GP for a one-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, valued at S$4,737.63, and is said to have offered Iswaran a business-class flight from Doha to Singapore worth S$5,700. The second charge was for allegedly instructing Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang, in May 2023, to bill Iswaran for the business-class ticket from Doha to Singapore – an action that would have obstructed the course of justice. Those found guilty of offences under Section 165 can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. Abetting an offence would result in the same punishment, if the offence is committed as a consequence of the abetment. The maximum penalty for obstructing the course of justice is jail time of up to seven years, a fine, or both. Source: The Business Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
