Amid reports that Valencia has signed a deal for a Mediterranean GP in 2009, it is now expected that Singapore could as early as Friday formally announce its inclusion on the formula one calendar of next year.
On Thursday, the authoritative local newspaper Straits Times said the contract could be unveiled later this week, as Mark Webber prepares to jet into the Asian city-state to test drive the proposed layout for the street circuit.
The announcement could, however, be delayed until next week, the newspaper added.
The inaugural Singapore GP, likely to take place either in April or August next season, is to be the first confirmed night-time race for the sport, but nearby events in Melbourne and Malaysia are tipped to also take place under floodlights in 2008.
An unnamed source close to the Singapore negotiations told Straits Times: “There are just a few loose ends left in the deal to tie up.”
News of the Singapore race is certain to spark speculation of a rivalry with nearby Malaysia, but Sepang boss Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir insisted that the two events can coexist.
“I’m okay if Singapore organises the F1 race there and I am not jittery about it,” he said.
