The Red Bull, Perth-born driver, 28, had been confident of a victory, but he just couldn't manage to get ahead of the English, three-time Formula One World Champion, 32, during the first wet race in its milestone 10-year history at Marina Bay.

He seemed a little downbeat on the podium post-race with both shoes remaining firmly on his feet - only promising to do his fan-favourite ritual of a shoey (drinking from his shoe) if he won.

With the Lion City just an eight-hour flight from Sydney, there was a strong Australian contingent in attendance, making sure to stand out from the crowd holding aloft inflatable yellow kangaroos - giving even the numerous Union Jack supporters a run for their money.

"Of course we'd like to see his shoe come off after a win but second place is not a bad result. At least they didn't end up like Ferrari. He's lucky he didn't get dragged into that too," Sydney local Adam Hamilton told Fairfax Media from Singapore.

"[Second place] might make him more hungry for a win in Malaysia [on October 1], it might drive him forward."

Jim Wheeler, also from Sydney and attending his second Singapore Grand Prix, added: "There's still time for Ricciardo, he might be down but he's not out, it's still a good result for the team. Hamilton deserved it in the end."

Ricciardo was greeted by a rapturous applause as he was introduced to the crowd as the "pride of Australia" by commentator Eddie Jordan.

"There are more Aussies here than last year and it's getting better and better," he told Irvine.

Speaking about his second-place finish, Ricciardo added: "I can't win the bloody thing. I'm trying.

"I'm a little bit disappointed to miss out on the win, but I'm still going to be pretty grateful and happy with another podium."

It was a suitably dramatic finish to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Singapore Grand Prix with Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen's first-lap crash also taking out Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and only 12 cars of 20 finishing the race.

"I watched the chaos unfold in front of me ... Whosever fault it was it was just too close," said Ricciardo, known for his competitive-steak with Verstappen.

While Ricciardo is believed to have let his ringlets down in post-race celebrations in Singapore, Hamilton high-tailed out of the country on a private jet.

Force India's Esteban Ocon headed straight for the exclusive VIP soiree at the Amber Lounge to celebrate his 21st birthday and another top 10 finish.

With Singapore signing up to host the event for another four years, Michael Roche, Singapore GP executive director, told Fairfax Media preparations are already under way for 2018.

"My mind is already ticking over, we're always planning ahead and we're in talks with some possible acts for next year," he said from the Paddock Club.

This year's star-studded line-up included Ariana Grande, Duran Duran, Seal, and Scottish DJ Calvin Klein closing out the festival on Sunday night to an estimated 60,000 crowd.