Planet-F1

Malaysia again says no to a night race

Wednesday 1st October 2008

The organisers of the Malaysian GP have ruled out switching to a night race, adding that Bernie Ecclestone is okay with their decision.

Last weekend F1 hosted its inaugural night race in Singapore with resounding success, prompting Ecclestone to once again suggest that Malaysia, another non-European event, swap to hosting the grand prix at night.

The Sepang organisers, though, have said no to the suggestion, stating that they do want to spend money on a lighting system.

They have, however, reached a compromise with Ecclestone whereby the race will start at 5pm local time, making it more European timezeone friendly.

"It will still be daylight at about 7pm when the new race finishes and for fans in Europe and Britain, it would be about 10am," Sepang International Circuit chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir told The Malaysian Star newspaper.

"We are not going to lose out.

"The lighting costs quite a bit and this is an effort to keep the cost of F1 in Malaysia down - and Bernie Ecclestone has agreed."