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The Formula One World Championship is one of the most prestigious sporting events. There’s so much at stake, from the high-risk, white-knuckle racing itself to the billions of dollars involved in sponsorship, revenue and prizes. But the drivers aren’t the only ones feeling the pressure.
The network of companies that works tirelessly behind the scenes to make each race a seamless, best-in-class event does so under extreme conditions. Each must be operating at the top of their game because, just like on the track, once you fall behind, you’re out.
The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix requires a particular set of skills to make this happen. In 2008, the race became the first-ever nighttime event in Formula One history, with the dazzling Singapore city skyline providing a unique backdrop to the high-octane weekend ever since.
“We don’t just think about technical specifications, but also about how every system performs from the perspective of the camera and viewer.”
To put on such a show requires a specific breed of professional. DZE Asia is tasked with the critical role of track illumination, as well as signage, communications and other lighting.
Director Marco Scaioli tells The CEO Magazine the firm walks a fine line between broadcast and engineering.
“In broadcasting, there is zero tolerance for errors. Every shot, every signal, every timing element must be flawless for the viewer experience,” he says.
Ever since he was appointed Director of DZE Asia in 2020, Scaioli has applied his rich history of broadcast TV experience to what is a unique and vital role.
“My mentors instilled in me a mindset of precision, redundancy and proactive troubleshooting,” he says. “When applied to projects like Formula One track lighting and integrated communication systems, this perspective fundamentally shapes our design approach.
“For example, we don’t just think about technical specifications, but also about how every system performs from the perspective of the camera and viewer.”
Indeed, for both trackside spectators and the millions of viewers at home, lighting during the event must be uniform and visually optimal for broadcast. At the same time, on the other side of the fence, communications must remain seamless for race control and media operations. Meanwhile, sponsors expect signage to be clearly legible in all conditions.
“Our benchmark is zero-failure operational delivery.”
Modern lighting also requires a more flexible and sustainable approach, which is why DZE Asia has adopted energy-efficient LEDs. Partnering with LED lighting system experts Signify Singapore, the company has cut power usage by 30 percent and significantly improved performance.
“LEDs eliminate issues like light spill and strike time, and with digital multiplex control, we can precisely manage over 1,600 individual fixtures, enabling dynamic light shows and full operational control,” Scaioli explains.
It’s a lot of plates to keep spinning, but DZE Asia has form. The sister company of Italian-based DZ Engineering, it was spun off to handle the specific requirements of Asian motorsport.
“Our benchmark is zero-failure operational delivery, particularly in live event environments where reliability, safety and precision are non-negotiable,” Scaioli says.
“Our disciplined approach allows us to build a lasting operational legacy, one defined by trust, performance and shared success with every partner and every project we undertake.”
DZE Asia is in the midst of a five-year contract with Formula One and has already extended its night race lighting technology to Formula E events in Saudi Arabia. Further Formula E and Formula One events are emerging in Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, Scaioli confirms.
“These markets not only offer large-scale motorsport projects but also opportunities to extend our lighting, telecom and architectural expertise into integrated urban and cultural experiences, reinforcing our position as a leader in high-performance systems in the Asia–Pacific region,” he confirms.
In Singapore, operating on active city streets introduces a unique set of challenges, according to Scaioli, particularly when dealing with weather events and other real-time variables.
“For DZE Asia, maintaining lighting and communications integrity under these conditions begins with meticulous planning and resource optimization,” he reveals.
“Every task is scheduled to minimize disruption to traffic and stakeholders, while ensuring that human and technical resources are deployed efficiently.”
Risk management is a vital component of every Formula One race and thus of DZE Asia’s work. Scaioli says it’s more than technology alone should be left to handle.
“Successful risk management is a combination of detailed planning, operational foresight and real-time responsiveness, which allows DZE Asia to deliver seamless, high-pressure events with zero compromise on quality or safety,” he explains.
The prestige of the Formula One is well met by DZE Asia’s ‘Made in Italy’ heritage, which Scaioli believes adds a distinctive touch to the company’s work.
“In most cases, the design and engineering work we do is led by our headquarters in Italy, DZ Engineering, ensuring that every project reflects the renowned Italian standards of quality, creativity and technical excellence,” he says.
“Every project reflects the renowned Italian standards of quality, creativity and technical excellence.”
Equally important are DZE Asia’s strong local relationships with institutions such as the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and the Italian Embassy, which have enhanced the company’s visibility, credibility and access to valuable networks across Asia and the Middle East.
“Combined, these factors strengthen our brand positioning and facilitate collaborations with local partners, governments and clients, allowing us to leverage the prestige of Italian design and engineering while delivering innovative, reliable and high-quality solutions in every market we serve,” Scaioli points out.
The strategic integration of trusted local partners is a key differentiator for DZE Asia, thereby keeping the firm competitive, flexible and responsive.
“Only two companies worldwide are capable of delivering a complete turnkey solution for night race circuits,” Scaioli says.
“Within this highly specialized domain, DZE Asia is the undisputed leader in temporary and street-circuit lighting solutions.”
“DZE Asia is the undisputed leader in temporary and street-circuit lighting solutions.”
On every level, anyone involved in Formula One is gunning for the number one spot. That the company has achieved this in such a tightly contested race speaks volumes about its performance amid the unique logistical and technical demands of motorsport.
“It reflects not only our technical superiority but also our ability to provide full-service systems integration, continuous innovation and scalable delivery, making DZE Asia a trusted partner for complex, high-value contracts across the Asia–Pacific region and globally,” Scaioli concludes.
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