The inaugural Singapore grand prix will indeed be the first ever formula one race to be staged at night.
Following the breakdown of Bernie Ecclestone’s night race talks with Melbourne, the local newspaper Today clarified that Singapore organisers are still keen to flood-light the 2008 event in September.
The FIA did not confirm the news, but its provisional calendar for next year lists the Singapore street course as ‘subject to circuit approval’.
The Singapore GP’s communications director Jonathan Hallett, meanwhile, said race organisers and corporate partners are “in full support of a night race”, Today wrote.
Melbourne promoters were worried that spectators would not attend a night race but Hallett said the idea “makes sense” for Singapore.
Referring to Singapore’s scorching tropical climate, he said spectators “will find it more comfortable”.
But he cautioned: “We will carry out a night race only if the FIA and Formula One Administration find that the safety of drivers and spectators is not compromised.”
