Malaysia are keen to follow in the footsteps of their neighbours Singapore by staging their Grand Prix at night.

Singapore, who make their debut on the Formula One calendar this year, will run their race under high-intensity lighting on September 28.

And the chairman of current Malaysian Grand Prix venue Sepang, Dato Mokhzani Mahatir, believes that staging a race at night could have major long-term financial benefits for the track.

"We actually started talking about lighting up the track with Bernie Ecclestone as far back as September 2006 for night racing by installing a lighting system that would give almost daylight quality light," Mokhzani told Thai newspaper The Bangkok Post.

"Since then, he has spoken to Singapore and Melbourne about it because he would like to see the broadcast of F1 in Europe at a more decent hour. Having a race in Asia at night makes sense.

"Singapore and Melbourne are temporary street circuits whereas we are a permanent racetrack. So, putting up lighting systems would allow us to rent out the track more."

Mokhzani believes that staging the race at a time that would suit European TV audiences better than currently would help Malaysia to win favour with Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone.

His optimism appears especially well-placed as one reason for the uncertainty over the future of the Australian Grand Prix is the Melbourne organisers' reluctance to switch the race from its afternoon slot.

"European viewers will enjoy it because they'll get to watch it live at a more decent time," he added.

"For example, the Melbourne race is at 2pm which is something like 6am in Europe and for the first race of the reason that doesn't go down very well with the F1 fans."

Should Malaysia install lights, then there is a good chance that their Moto GP race could also run at night over the coming years.


I hope they do allow them to stage it at night, it would be so great to have night races!