Bahrain Grand Prix to remain a night race

Bahrain at sunset

The Bahrain Grand Prix will remain a night Formula 1 race in future seasons, it has been confirmed.

The Sakhir circuit, which joined the calendar in 2004, is this year staging its first night F1 event as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, with qualifying and the race beginning under floodlights on Saturday and Sunday.

But with the artificial lighting system – first used for last year's World Endurance Championship event – proving to be a success, and ticket sales showing improved signs, the venue has chosen to hold on to its night status.

"We have invested in the lighting project and it's a permanent structure – so going forward all our Grands Prix will be held at the same time from now on," Zayed Al Zayani, Chairman of the Bahrain circuit, told Autosport.

Zayani added: "It would not have been wise to just do the night race as a one-off."