Highlights

Cost a factor in Malaysian GP night decision

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-23 13:21

Cost will be a factor in deciding whether the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix becomes a night race after 2010, the country's minister for youth and sport said on Tuesday.

"Staging an F1 race is an expensive affair for the government...we have to see how well we can benefit from the event and what kind of development it can bring to motorsport in the country," said Azalina Othman Said.

"Ultimately our dream is to see more Malaysian F1 drivers in Formula One racing."

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said at the weekend that Australia could lose its race unless it moves to an evening slot and Malaysian organisers expect the same to apply to them.

Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of Sepang International Circuit, told Malaysia's Bernama news agency that they were already looking into the possibility of holding a night race.

"We are actually studying what kind of light would be suitable, the security aspects, which will certainly be our top priority, and a few other things before anything can be firmed up," he said.

Sepang has a Formula One contract until 2010, while neighbours Singapore announced this month that they planned to stage the sport's first night race next year if safety requirements are met.

Ecclestone is keen on moving races in the Asian region to evening time so that television audiences in Europe can watch them in the afternoon, instead of the early morning.